GLOSSARY
(AM-pluh-fy-uhr) a piece of equipment that changes sound or makes it louder (bih-DAY) a low, sinklike bathroom fixture with a faucet that points up; abidet is used to wash a persons bottom area (GIM-ik) a clever trick or idea used to get peoples attention (in-JEEN-yuhss) inventive and original (PAT-uhnt) a legal document giving someone sole rights to make or sell a product (PEHR-uh-skope) a viewing device with mirrors at each end; periscopes areoften used in submarines to see above water (pruh-PEL-ur) a set of rotating blades that moves a vehicle through wateror air (SLOH-guhn) a phrase or motto used by a business, a group, or an individual (SPOOF) a funny imitation of something (STY-luhs) a penlike instrument used to enter information on electronic devices (VAK-yoom TOOB) a tube that has no air or other matter in it
READ MORE
Marsico, Katie. Stinky Sanitation Inventions. Awesome Inventions You Use Every Day.Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company, 2014.
Ringstad, Arnold. Weird-but-True Facts About Inventions. Mankato, Minn.: ChildsWorld, 2013.
Turner, Tracey. 100 Inventions That Made History: Brilliant Breakthroughs that ShapedOur World. New York: DK Publishing, 2014.
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CHAPTER 1
WEARABLE WACKINESS
Why bother learning how to tie a tie when you can wear one that zips up instead?Or how would you like to wear a T-shirt that lets you play guitar? You never knowwhat kind of wacky wearable invention will be the next big thing.
SMITTENS
One chilly day inventor Wendy Feller was going for a stroll with her husband.They tried to hold hands, but their bulky mittens ruined the romantic mood. Thatswhen Wendy got the idea for Smittens. The for these mittens for two says itall, Hold hands. Stay warm. Love. Now sweethearts can stay inseparable, even inthe coldest temperatures.
slogan a phrase or motto used by a business, a group, oran individual
SOUND PERFUME GLASSES
Researchers in Japan want to help peoples social life through eyewear.Sound Perfume glasses give off special scents and sounds when you meet new people.The glasses are meant to help you remember peoples names. However, to work correctly,other people need to wear the glasses too.
NOSE STYLUS
In 2011 Dominic Wilcox wanted to use his smartphone in the bathtub, but his fingerswere too wet. So the British designer did what any good inventor would do. He cameup with a that lets him surf the Internet with his nose!
stylus a penlikeinstrument used to enter information on electronic devices
THE ZIPTIE
This revolutionary tie zips up just like a jacket. Other ties also use zippersbut hide them behind a knot. However, the ZipTie turns the zipper itself into a fashionstatement!
TEMPORARY LIP TATTOOS
Want leopard-print lips? Temporary lip tattoos come in a variety of patterns. Choosefrom rainbows, polka dots, American flags, and more! These funky temporary lip tattooswork like stickers. They go on with water and can be removed with baby oil.
GAZE-ACTIVATED DRESSES
Designer Ying Gaos high-tech dresses demand to be looked atliterally. Eye-trackingtechnology inside the fabric sets off tiny motors that make the dresses wave andwiggle when people look at them. The more people stare, the more the dresses squirm.
WOODEN BATHING SUITS
Roll out the barrels! In 1929 some people actually wore bathing suits made from wood.The suits supposedly helped people float in the waterif they could put up with thesplinters!
SNOWSTORM FACE PROTECTORS
In the 1930s people braved blizzards with heavy coats and thick wool scarves.But the scarves could be very itchy. In 1939 someone tried to solve this problemwith plastic snowstorm face protectors. People could watch as snowflakes slid rightoff the see-through cone. It worked well, until peoples breath fogged it upor theyran out of air!
ELECTRONIC GUITAR SHIRT
The guitar graphic on this T-shirt is actually playable! Buttons along the neck playmajor chords. To strum the guitar, just rub a coin across the bottom. This amazinginvention even comes with a mini so everyone can hear you playing yourshirt.
amplifier a piece of equipment that changes sound or makes it louder
EYE SCREENS
Imagine what it would be like to read texts right on your eyeballs! ABelgian researcher is working to develop smart contact lenses that include built-inscreens. These special lenses could someday be used as sunglasses, to read privatemessages, or even change peoples eye color.
AMAZINGLY REALISTIC FACE MASKS
Next Halloween you can creep out your friends by goingas yourself! For about $4,000a Japanese company can make a mask of your face thats incredibly lifelike. It evensimulates the blood vessels inside your eyes. The mask combines photos of you fromevery angle, and then stretches the image over a 3-D mold of your face.
ELECTRIC FACIAL MASK
Rejuvenique was a real hit in the late 1990s. Makers of the battery-powered maskclaimed that people could have more youthful looking skin. Tiny electrical shockssupposedly worked to tone facial muscles under the skin. But the truly shocking partwas that the mask looked very creepy!
CHAPTER 2
HIGH-TECH HEAD SCRATCHERS
Successful inventions usually solve a problem or meet a need. But some inventionsdo odd things, such as putting designs on toast or letting dogs send text messages. Some inventions show that just because people can do something doesnt always meanthey should.