In the world of British innovation, there’s a fascinating collection of ideas that, while incredibly creative, never quite made it into everyday life.
These inventions, captured in pictures from the last century, reveal a time when people dared to dream big.
Chris Hodge, an amateur historian from Chislehurst in southeast London, has dedicated more than ten years to gathering over 250,000 images.
Among them are snapshots of inventions that were truly ahead of their time, like what looks to be an early version of a videophone, an amphibious Lambretta scooter, a Land Rover that doubles as a hovercraft, and even a bicycle with wings.
Other intriguing photos feature a portable hair dryer, a mini-submarine, a side-by-side tandem bicycle, and a sidecar that faces backward.
Despite their creativity, these inventions never quite became part of our everyday lives.
Whether it was an early videophone or an amphibious scooter, these inventions remind us of the adventurous spirit and bold ideas of the past.
An Experimental Flying Bicycle
The flying-bicycle prototype is probably one of those inventions that won’t get off the ground, quite literally.
An Early Version Of A Videophone
Innovation is often fueled by dreams, and it’s clear that the inventor of this videophone had a vision of where future technology was headed.
A Prototype Portable Hairdryer
This vintage portable hairdryer, while innovative for its time, ultimately proved to be unfeasible.
An Amphibious Vehicle
This mini-submarine is quite an invention, requiring a considerable amount of faith from its user.
Unfortunately, there is no record of whether the occupant’s feet managed to stay dry during its operation.
Another Amphibious Vehicle
An Experimental Gyrocopter
An Amphibious Vehicle
A Motorcycle With Reverse Side Car
An Amphibious Vehicle
An Experimental Tandem Bicycle
Here we have an unconventional take on the tandem bicycle, designed to create a more sociable, if less practical, riding experience.
An Experimental Motorcycle
Amphibious Scooter
(Photo credit: Chris Hodge via Easyart / easyart.com).