by Matthew Pope
‘The value of an idea lies in the using of it.’ is a great quote by the famed inventor of the light bulb, motion film camera, phonograph and more – Thomas A Edison. You have an idea – so put it into practice, build it, try it! That is what inventors do. They develop an idea, persist and see failure as a learning curve. ‘I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.’ is another apt quote from Mr Edison.
Some ideas and inventions do work and some don’t. They are often conceived out of a need to solve a problem – ‘Necessity…the mother of invention’ Plato.
Some inventions might seem odd and funny but they came from a desire to solve a problem. Go through our slideshow of some fabulous examples and play a game. You are a moderately wealthy individual of the time and will invest in one of these inventions – which one would you go for?
Engraving depicting a swinging saloon for a passenger steamer designed by Henry Bessemer. Henry Bessemer (1813-1898) an English inventor. Dated 19th Century. Photo: World History Archive/UIG 
A man wearing an Italian device called an Iarosacco, worn over clothing it enabled the wearer to pass over most streams with the aid of a light oar. From The Pageant of the Century, published 1934. Photo: Universal History Archive/UIG 
Illustration depicting an early bicycle railroad. A bicycle railroad was a purpose-built monorail on which a matching bicycle would be ridden. It was invented by Arthur Hotchkiss. Dated 19th century. Photo: World History Archive/UIG 
Illustration depicting the Iris Invalid’s Reading Desk invented by Captain Twopenny. Dated 19th century. Photo: World History Archive/UIG 
An engraving depicting an electrically powered circular railway designed by Gaston Menier to serve his guests. Gaston Menier (1855-1934) a French politician. Dated 19th century. Photo: World History Archive/UIG 
USA: The ‘Pedespeed’ patented by American inventor Thomas L Luders, May 4 1869. Scientific American, 19 March 1870. Photo: Pictures from History/UIG 
Waterproof cycles with side doors in Paris. (Photo: World History Archive/UIG)
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