The 20 Worst Inventions of All Time — Part 1

For every invention that changes humanity for the better there's a slew that would have been better off left on the drawing board. Many of these contraptions, weird gadgets, and strange notions are lousy ideas that deserved a quick death. Others came at the wrong moment (remember LaserDisc?). Either way, they serve as a shining lesson in failure for all of us. We're counting down the top 20 worst inventions known to mankind. Be sure to keep an eye out for part 2 where we'll cover the top 10.

Click the image below to start the slideshow

Think we missed one of the all-time great failures? Share your picks in the comments!

Flying tanks were the subject of several unsuccessful experiments in the 20th century. Before airplanes were robust enough to carry tanks inside, the idea was to carry the tank under an airplane and glide it onto a battlefield. An improvement was a tank with wings that could glide onto the battlefield, drop its wings, and be ready to fight within minutes. None of the ideas gained much traction.
(Source: tritontv.com)

READ MORE ARTICLES ON INVENTIONS:

We’re heading to Philly and Houston! Design & Manufacturing Philadelphia will take place Oct. 7-8, while Design & Manufacturing Texas will be in Houston Oct. 13-14. Get up close with the latest design and manufacturing technologies, meet qualified suppliers for your applications, and expand your network. Learn from experts at educational conferences and specialty events. Register today for our premier industry showcases in Philadelphia and Texas!

Rob Spiegel has covered automation and control for 15 years, 12 of them for Design News. Other topics he has covered include supply chain technology, alternative energy, and cyber security. For 10 years he was owner and publisher of the food magazine Chile Pepper.