Pointless Gadgets

Clive Whitmore

Translator A AI

Summary

Pointless Gadgets explores the fascinating history of technological misfires, inventions that, despite good intentions, failed to gain traction. The book delves into why certain gadgets became obsolete, not necessarily due to technical flaws, but often because they addressed nonexistent needs. It highlights how the over-complication of simple tasks and prioritizing novelty over practicality often led to innovation failures. For example, some 19th-century inventions, while ingenious, lacked market demand, illustrating that consumer behavior and social context are crucial for success. The book adopts a narrative non-fiction style, examining various case studies from the 19th and 20th centuries.

 
It progresses by first introducing the concept of "pointless gadgets" and then analyzing examples of over-engineered devices and impractical household items. By examining historical records, patent filings, and advertisements, the book draws lessons for future innovators and discusses the broader implications of technological obsolescence.

 
Ultimately, Pointless Gadgets challenges the assumption that technological progress is inherently positive, emphasizing the need for thoughtful consideration of usability and market realities.

Available since: 03/29/2025.

Print length: 70 pages.

Other books that might interest you

The Engagement Specialist -...

Tolumaagave Leroy Harris Jr

The book “The Engagement Specialist: Pandemics - Strategies for Success - staying calm throughout the storm” is based on the notion to help organizations, nations, and communities successfully responding, mitigating and recovering from pandemics and national disasters. This book highlights all key leaders who engaged in developing National Pandemic Preparedness & Response plans and their role in building Healthcare capacity for local pandemic agencies. This book also contrasts COVID-19 responses of different countries compared to the United States by discussing how other countries remained successful in responding to the pandemic, posing a challenge to the U.S healthcare systems on its shortcomings.

Show book

Manny and Max On The Rise - 7...

Simon Moesgaard

Manny and Max On The Rise is a child’s guide to overcoming anxiety. Complete the thought exercises in the book to become as brave as Manny, so you are ready to embark on new adventures. You can do the thought exercises by yourself, or even better, together with your caring reader.In seven chapters, we follow the 6-year-old boy Manny, who becomes increasingly more independent throughout the book. He becomes brave with the support of his new Labradoodle dog, Max, and his family. The story is inspired by everyday events, which most families can relate to, so that the reader can connect the dots easily.All guidelines are based on effective treatment principles.

Show book

When We Spoke to the Dead - How...

Ilise S. Carter

Ghosts spoke. Women listened. Everything changed. 
 
 
 
In the 1840s, the Fox Sisters—and the legions of mediums they inspired—ignited the Spiritualist movement that swept through Victorian parlors and presidential campaigns alike. Contacting the dead wasn't merely a parlor trick: It was a political statement, a declaration of self that still echoes. Séances attracted suffragists and scientists, skeptics and charlatans, giving women a voice in a society that often refused to hear them. But as Spiritualism surged, it also blurred the lines between faith, fraud, feminism, and financial opportunity, drawing figures as varied as Harry Houdini, Victoria Woodhull, and even modern self-help gurus into its ever-expanding orbit. 
 
 
 
From wartime séances to the rise of televangelists, from Victorian ghosts to goop-approved wellness rituals, When We Spoke to the Dead unearths the forgotten roots of today's obsession with manifestation, mysticism, and the power of belief. Exploring America's deep-seated hunger for the unseen—whether through politics, personal empowerment, or grief—this book traces how the supernatural, once condemned as heresy, became the ultimate commodity.

Show book

Socrates - Socrates Philosophy...

Hector Davidson

Socrates stands as one of the most influential figures in the history of philosophy, a thinker whose ideas and methods continue to shape intellectual inquiry. Born in Athens around 469 BCE, he never wrote a single philosophical text, yet his impact endures through the works of his students, particularly Plato. His approach to philosophy was rooted in dialogue, questioning, and an unwavering commitment to seeking truth. Unlike the Sophists of his time, who often prioritized rhetorical skill and persuasion, Socrates believed that wisdom was not about appearing knowledgeable but about recognizing one’s own ignorance. His method of relentless questioning, now known as the Socratic Method, remains a cornerstone of critical thinking and philosophical discourse.
Socrates lived during a period of great political and social upheaval in Athens. The city had emerged from the Peloponnesian War weakened and uncertain about its future. In this context, Socrates became both an admired and controversial figure. His insistence on questioning authority and challenging conventional beliefs made him a target for those who saw his influence as destabilizing. He did not align himself with any particular political faction but instead sought to examine the moral and ethical foundations of society. His discussions often exposed the contradictions in the reasoning of politicians, poets, and fellow citizens, leading many to view him as a disruptive force.
His trial in 399 BCE remains one of the most significant moments in philosophical history. Accused of corrupting the youth and impiety, Socrates defended himself in a manner that was both defiant and deeply philosophical. In The Apology, Plato’s account of the trial, Socrates argues that he was fulfilling a divine mission by encouraging people to think critically and examine their lives.

Show book

Coerced to Courageous - Taking...

K C Andrews

‘I was so busy keeping him happy I didn’t notice how long it had been since I’d seen my friends. I seemed to apologise for everything. I was constantly tense, holding my breath, trying to predict his mood. Slowly my world became smaller, darker and lonelier.’
Coercive Control is an insidious fog. The first ‘red flags’ are so small you don’t notice them: a simple remark about how to do something ‘the right way’ or a suggestion about how you should dress. He cares about where you are and who you are with.
We all want the perfect relationship, but for the courageous authors in Coerced to Courageous, their soulmate was more like checkmate.
The first ‘red flags’ of Coercive Control are so subtle you barely notice them. Eventually, he has driven away your friends and family, is making all the decisions and controlling the finances, and you are trapped. These brave, resilient, brilliant women share the tools that helped them escape and rebuild their lives. They want to encourage and empower you to break the chains of coercive control and create the life you deserve.
Broken to Brilliant is an Australian not-for-profit charity where domestic violence survivors mentor other survivors to rebuild successful lives using the power of story.
When we saw the impact on people’s lives of our first three books, the changes made, the hope in their hearts, the joy and gratitude for their new lives, we had to continue to share stories of hope, healing & recovery. There had to be a fourth book.
We applaud each of our authors for sharing their raw, vulnerable & courageous stories. Our hope is that these books will provide you with the tools to take back your power so you can rebuild your life the way you choose. Each step forward is a courageous move toward your new life filled with peace, happiness & achievement.

Show book

The Courage to Speak Your Truth...

Kath Essing

True strength lies in the courage to be yourself and speak your truth. 
When Kath Essing recalled the sexual abuse from her childhood, her life turned upside-down. The secret had been hidden for decades, even from herself.  
After 23 years of navigating her own mental health issues, Kath was ready to face her greatest challenge and disclose the experiences of her childhood sexual abuse to police. 
The complicated history meant it wasn’t going to be easy to prove the historical sexual crimes; but this was more than seeking justice; it was about having the courage to speak up, finding the strength to heal, and shatter the silence that suffocated her. 
This intimate memoir invites the reader into the confronting world of childhood abuse, family dynamics, and the emotional and psychological aspects of surviving and recovering as an adult. Kath’s story inspires readers to reclaim their voice by remembering, recovering, and reportingthe experiences of childhood sexual abuse. 
The Courage to Speak Your Truth helps uplift survivors and enable them to transform their pain to purpose and change the conversation regarding childhood abuse. Kath advocates that together – with courage – survivors can shift the narrative of child abuse and dismantle the silence that maintains its cycle. 
www.bespeak.au/

Show book