The British are very inventive people, but when it comes to marketing inventions and products Americans beat them up. The Americans believe in marketing and making money out of their inventions and products.

I have listed here 10 such inventions which you wouldn’t believe that the British have done.

Elastic Fabric

It was Thomas Hancock who invented elastic fabric by mastication. Mastication is shredding of rubber scraps to allow it to be formed into sheets. Hancock invented elastic fabric for his use of fastening things like suspenders, stockings etc. Ignorantly he also invented the rubber masticator along the way.

Viagra

If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, then you have the British to thank. Andrew Bell, David Brown and Nicholas Terrett were the people who filed a patent in 1991 after investigating drugs for heart conditions.

Greeting Card

Christmas card and greeting card was invented by Henry Cole in 1846. He was the one who got bored with the idea of writing letters to dear ones, therefore he hired an artist to create a pleasant scene, fixed up the lithographic printer he had in the back room and manually coloured in the picture. It proved instant time saver. And he quickly figured out the financial potential of the item and put a thousand on sale.

But about who put the kitten on a card, is still a mystery.

Matches

John Walker invented the first match in 1827. He placed chemicals at the end of a stick which when rubbed against a rough surface burst into flames. He called them “congreves” and didn’t bother much about patenting them. The matches contained antimony sulfide, gum, potassium chlorate and starch. But, unfortunately sales never caught fire like that matches and he died in poverty.

Electric Toaster

It was the British Company ‘Crompton and Co’ which invented the Electric toaster in 1893. But the main problem with the electric toaster was to find a suitable metal. Then, an alloy of nickel and chromium was patented to allow the current to pass and a dissipation of heat to occur without melting of the element. After that a refinement was introduced in 1918 which allowed doors to turn the toast over allowing toasting of both sides.

Afterwards, in 1926 the Americans thought to get in on the act and invented the Toastmaster, which allowed the toast to be popped up automatically when done. And then an American, Otto Frederick Rohwedder, invented sliced bread in 1928.

Flush Toilet

Flush toilet was invented by godson of Elizabeth I – Sir John Harrington in 1567 and not by Thomas Crapper as popular myth promotes. Crapper was a 19th century plumber who promoted bathroom fitting and patented a few of his own, but he didn’t invent the flush toilet. The S bend, an important part of the modern flush toilet was invented by Alexander Cummings in 1775.

Sunglasses

In 1752 the British James Ayscough invented the hinged spectacles along with tinted glasses. These were tinted in blue and green. He also made microscopes.

The 18th century seems as cool and hip as today inventing so many things.

Stereophonic Recording

Alan Blumlein was the one who invented a single-groove system for stereophonic recording and then patented the basics of stereophonic recording and reproduction in 1931.

The ipod just wouldn’t have been so exciting today without stereophone.

Carbonated Soft Drinks

In 1767, Englishmen Dr. Joseph Priestley created the first drinkable man-made glass of carbonated water.

These carbonated soft drinks were frequently flavoured with lemon, making them the forerunner of Lemonade.

The Englishman also discovered Oxygen, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), hydrochloric acid, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and also identified plant respiration and photosynthesis.

Rubber Band

The first rubber band was manufactured in 1845 by Stephen Perry of the rubber manufacturing company Messers Perry and Co., in London. This rubber band was made up of vulcanized rubber. Perry invented the rubber band to hold papers and envelopes together.

So, you can see how many interesting and amazing inventions have been done by British.

While technological advancement takes massive steps towards making our lives simpler and easier, there are a few things that have stood the test of time and are still very much a part of our daily routine. Bicycles, one of the oldest modes of transport, have come a long way, transforming into different forms, sizes, and designs. Some might say bicycles are passé while others might sigh at the thought of paddling and puffing; whatever might be the reason for avoiding them, bicycles are still considered the most economical and healthiest modes for commuting.

If you are one of those who think the era of bicycles is gone or belongs to the kinds who feel embarrassed even to stand near one then check out some of the coolest and geekiest bicycles listed in this article. I bet you would change the mindset that has been made towards bicycles over the past several years. The bicycles listed in the article are cool, trendy, and an answer to the contemporary carbon puffing vehicles, depicting that the worth of bicycles has never depreciated nor will ever be. Bicycles are here to stay, may be in different shapes or varied forms, and when you look at the following bicycles, you would understand why I say so.

Strida 5.0 Folding Bicycle

Wondering if this triangular looking object is really a bicycle? Yes, indeed, this is a completely stylish and ultra modern version of its series. You can carry Strida 5.0 Folding Bicycle almost anywhere simply because it can be folded. Don’t be surprised if this superlight cycle gets all the attention of your friends.

The Electric Cherry

Have you ever been really worried about parking space or batteries or fuel of your vehicle? Well, now you can be rest assured for the Electric Cherry concept is a bicycle inspired by the fruit Cherry itself and is also an eco-friendly version of the paddling machine. If you are not satisfied with the eco-friendly features, I bet you would be stunned by its appealing profile.

Yahoo Bike

Yahoo Bike is a cool bicycle that allows you to click beautiful photos which you might miss out otherwise. What enables it to click images is its unique design. This GPS enabled cycle has a camera running on solar power which clicks pictures while the vehicle is in motion.

Apple Geeks – Bicycle Art

How would you feel if you had a cycle that not only offers you a laptop hard case but also lets you connect your iPod Nano to it? Sounds unusual, right? However, now you can get all this in the latest Bicycle Art design from Apple. Get ready to glow in the nightlight of the cycle.

Bamboo Bikes

You see your neighbors going green and wish if you could take an initiative too. If so, why not opt for a Bamboo Bike? These bamboo bikes are comparatively cheaper and don’t compromise on their performance vis-à-vis their technological counterparts.

DIY Green Cycle

DIY Green Cycle is an eco-friendly mode for commuting from one place to another. The creator of this concept, Nicholas Belly, made this bicycle using eco-friendly recyclable timber. If you think you can squeeze some time out of your busy schedule to contribute to the environment, then you should definitely opt to make this Do-It-Yourself Green Cycle.

Solar Powered Bike Lamps

Many of us hold high value for the style and fashion quotient when planning to buy a bicycle. This is because a bicycle is just not meant for commuting; but it also defines your tastes. Solar Powered Bike Lamps which includes solar powered lamps and expensive leather seats is a bicycle with fine combination of fashion and performance.

R-Evolve

Another Jud Turner creation is R-Evolve – a skeleton art on bicycle. This would be another cycle just meant for souvenir purpose. You can’t ride this bicycle but can definitely use it to scare your friends with its creepy appearance.

Terminator Skeleton Bicycle

For all those people who desire to show the mean side of their nature, Terminator Skeleton Bicycle is the ultimate option. Though you can’t actually use it to move around as the bicycle is still not tested on the roads, the creepy look of this Jud Turner creation is something which can definitely make news.

Monkeyelectric Wheel Bikes

Looking at the power of the larger vehicles’ headlights, you often must have desired to have similar lights on your bicycle. But you didn’t have the answer to the question how. With the Monkeyelectric Wheel Bikes available, you can now incorporate a new style and light design to your bicycles too.

ORBIS Cycle

ORBIS Cycle, the latest addition to the hi-tech bicycles in the market, is also an eco-friendly bicycle. Though this electric vehicle has a single wheel, you need not be a trained cyclist to ride it as it can balance itself with utmost ease. The bicycle would actually be a great aid for times when you need to quickly get through the stressful traffic jams.

Rocket Man Bicycle

Ever wished your bicycle could fly? If you are one of those who barely have enough money to buy a bicycle but have dreams to fly high in sky, then the Rocket Man Bicycle is just for you. The Rocket Man bicycle can fly not in air but on road with a speed of 50-80 Km. Resembling a rocket in design, the bicycle still stirs hope in people that it may fly in future. Well, even we want to hung on to that hope.

Weirdness is something that shouldn’t be defined or manifested into substantial abstractions, for it might result in undesirable consequences. This, my friends is not always true, especially in the contemporary world wherein ‘being different’ is what gets you the much needed attention, along with the much desired moolah. Being odd-one-out is no longer a matter of embarrassment, and when the outlier has something to deliver which is not only useful but also aesthetically attractive, then the scuttlebutts about the unconventional aspects take a backseat. Read on to find out what we exactly mean.

- Heads up to Wayne Martin Belger for many of the amazing camera designs featured here.

Clicking a weird picture using a normal camera is one thing, and talking a normal picture using a weird camera is a totally different ball game. This time we have brought to you some of the wildest and weirdest camera designs that are not only unconventional in their looks but also in the way they operate. Take a look at the below mentioned out-of-the-world camera designs that perfectly personifies weirdness. It wouldn’t surprise us if you find it difficult to identify them as cameras in the first place. ‘No publicity is bad publicity’, for sure!

HIV Blood Sample Camera

One disease that can send chills down the body of any person is HIV. Now imagine using a camera that has HIV infected blood sample flowing through it. If you think this is morbid, then have a look at this camera which combines unstable weirdness with fine artwork. HIV blood flows through the camera while you click the image. This HIV Blood Sample Camera is definitely something that cannot be avoided, although it might raise more of eyebrows than praises from acceptance.

Weird Pinhole Camera

Now we don’t know why the camera has been named ‘pinhole’, but what we know is that it is meant for taking pictures of absolutely weird things, including 8 months old pregnant women and altars placed on the sites of accidents. The Pinhole camera has a weird name, weird purpose, and a weird design.

Deer Horns Camera

Everyone has a wild side, but wild deer horns on your camera is something that you wouldn’t want to comprehend even in your wildest dream. However someone did conceive this idea and guess what, we have an ancient looking camera with horns mounted on it. Weird, outlandish, useless… you can use whatever adjective you want to.

Perfect Steampunk Camera

This is Steampunk design camera to the fullest. A homemade camera made from brass case, aluminum strips and household scrap. Attached to a tripod stand at the bottom, the camera has everything that a conventional camera has. However, its handiness is yet to be tested.

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Vintage Design Camera

It’s difficult to identify if this is a camera or a vintage show piece, but a closer look would reveal the pinhole and lens embedded in the camera’s body. With artistic handle and a rustic look, the Vintage Design Camera, we feel, would better be suited for adorning your living room than for clicking pictures.

Human Scull Camera

This is definitely the weirdest of them all. Made from the skull of a 13 year old girl, the camera is not only weird but outlandishly creepy. The Human Scull Camera has everything that a conventional camera has, but frankly, it is way too freaky and incongruous to imagine holding a skull of a 13 year old in your hand. I would rather have it kept in a hospital than actually use it.

Vietnam Vintage Camera Gun

It might seem that ‘gun’ is the favorite theme for making weird cameras, but this rifle camera is a perfect blend of vintage movie camera mounted on a military gun. It is said that this wooden rifle stock camera was used by reporters during the Vietnam War. Whatever people say, we feel this camera is a perfect example of guerrilla art combined with innovative instinct.

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Dragonfly Camera

This Dragonfly camera might be weird looking but is definitely creativity at its best. The salient feature of the camera is that it has been made as an altar for a 9 year old girl that passed away. Made from aluminum and acrylic, the camera has chains moving over pinions connected by a common shaft. A black leather cover on one side and a cross cut out on the other, perfectly depicts the purpose for which it is made.

Pistol Camera

This gun transformed into a camera is surely one of the weirdest concepts; however, in the looks department we would give it 10. Cool, trendy and absolutely innovative, the piston camera helps in taking pictures accurately by aiming at the object; similar to the usage of gun. The camera is already being used extensively by the Japanese Police.

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Vintage Style Steampunk Camera

Vintage camera with a Steampunk theme is what this camera is all about. Though it might not have sufficient punk in it, the camera is certainly creative with the use of rubber and leather belts, and a rustic shutter pivoted at the edges with the main body. The camera might look a bit shaky but a small tripod stand might do wonders.

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Sleek Gun Camera

Yet another camera gun with a sleek design and acute compactness. Also used for training cops, the camera clicks pictures with utmost accuracy. It seems that they are purposefully made compact, and actually come in a limited edition. They shoot half size onto 35mm film and have fixed focus 45mm lens. Smart and Sexy, definitely!

The SAPE concept comes from centuries ago where the young people were brain washed during the time of the French Congo where they were told to look presentable. It all started when Andre Grenard returned from Paris all dressed up and had a huge fan following. The organization of SAP has members that are artists and they never fail to stand out in a crowd. Every member has his own style in dressing up and even has a set of gestures that are unique to him. They can be seen during weekly, impromptu parades, which brings out applause from the watching crowd. The main principles of these pacifists are to have style and non violence. They don’t want to go unnoticed by the world and one can say that they haven’t failed to do that. You will find them doing a merry dance in establishments and at bars as well.