Funny Nature & Travel Art & Stage Going Viral Science Greetings Inspirational

Edit Profile Recently Viewed Favorites

Main > Science & Tech > Science and Technology

20 Vintage Tech Inventions We Never Even Heard of Today

Edited By: Natalia J.

Add to Favorites In Favorites

Español

Font Size:

A+ A-

Many of the technologies invented by the previous generations have greatly contributed to the tech advancements we associate with the 21st century, and we should really appreciate those vintage tech advancements. However, there are also those inventions that we would consider no more than a beautiful nicknack, a mysterious odd contraption, and even a safety and health concern today! Let’s take a look at some of these incredible and now-obsolete vintage tech inventions.

1. This dangerous-looking one-wheel motorcycle was invented by Italian M. Goventosa de Udine in 1931 and it could reach the maximum speed of 150 km per hour (93 Mph)

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This dangerous-looking one-wheel motorcycle was invented by Italian M. Goventosa de Udine in 1931 and it could reach the maximum speed of 150 km per hour (93 Mph)

Image Source: Flickr

2. This 300-year-old mystery machine is located at the Palafoxiana Library in Puebla, and all it does is it lets you have up to 7 books open at once

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This 300-year-old mystery machine is located at the Palafoxiana Library in Puebla, and all it does is it lets you have up to 7 books open at onc

Image Source: Reddit

3. This contraption is a so-called "Morrison shelter”, which was used during WWII as protection from collapsing ceilings caused by 'Blitz' bombing raids

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This contraption is a so-called "Morrison shelter”, which was used during WWII as protection from collapsing ceilings from 'Blitz' bombing raids

Image Source: Reddit

Related Article: These Failed Inventions Were Supposed To Change the World

4. Behold Jay Ohrberg's 'double-wide' limousine. Fun fact: the same person created the 'American dream' super limo

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions Behold Jay Ohrberg's 'double-wide' limousine. Fun fact: the same person created the 'American dream' super limo

Image Source: Reddit

5. TV Glasses, the 1960s predecessor of the Google Glass created by Hugo Gernsback, also failed

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions TV Glasses, the 1960s predecessor of the Google Glass, also failed

Image Source: Reddit

6. This big boy is a Kodak K-24 camera. It was used by the American forces during WW2 for aerial photography

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This big boy is a Kodak K-24 camera. It was used by the American forces during WW2 for aerial photography

Image Source: Reddit

7. "Motorola Vice President John F. Mitchell showing off the DynaTAC portable radiotelephone in New York City in 1973"

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions"Motorola Vice President John F. Mitchell showing off the DynaTAC portable radio telephone in New York City in 1973"

Image Source: Reddit

8. Two-horn listening devices like this one located at Bolling Field in Washington, DC, in 1921 were used before the invention of radar to locate planes

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions Two-horn listening devices like this one located at Bolling Field in Washington, DC, in 1921 were used before the invention of radar to locate planes

Image Source: Reddit

9. Now this Robo-Vac vacuum design from Whirlpool’s 'Miracle Kitchen of the Future' display from 1959 is pretty close to modern-day robot vacuums

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions Now this Robo-Vac vacuum design from Whirlpool’s Miracle Kitchen of the Future display from 1959 is pretty close to modern-day robot vacuums

Image Source: Reddit

10. This contraption is called the 'Isolator'. It was created by Hugo Gernsback to "insulate the senses" in order to avoid outside distractions in 1925.

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This contraption is called the 'Isolator'. It was created by Hugo Gernsback to "insulate the senses" in order to avoid outside distractions in 1925

Image Source: Reddit

11. What the inside of an old calculator looks like from the side

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions What the inside of an old calculator looks like from the side

Image Source: Reddit

12. These motorized roller-skates allowed door-to-door salesman to zip from door to door at a higher speed (1961)

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions These motorized roller-skates allowed door-to-door salesman zip from door to door at a higher speed (1961)

Image Source: Reddit

Related Article: These Cool Forgotten Inventions Deserve Another Chance

13. "1911: Chester McDuffee and his ADS diving suit, aluminum alloy weighing 485 lbs/200 kg"

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions 1911: Chester McDuffee and his ADS diving suit, aluminum alloy weighing 485 lbs/200 kg

Image Source: Reddit

14. These mini bikes for your feet from the 1910s don't look safe at all!

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions, These mini bikes for your feet from the 1910s don't look safe at all!

Image Source: Reddit

15. This is the Philco Predicta television set. It dates back to the late 1950s and I'd argue that it still looks pretty stylish today.

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This is the Philco Predicta television set. It dates back to the late 1950s and I'd argue that it still looks pretty stylish today

Image Source: Reddit

Related Article: These Beauty Practices of the Past Look Strange Today…

16. This narrow train was installed in New York’s Holland tunnel to monitor traffic speed in the 1950s

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This narrow train was installed in New York’s Holland tunnel to monitor traffic speed in the 1950s

Image Source: Reddit

17. This creepy thing is actually the world's oldest surviving diving suit. It's affectionately called 'The Old Gentleman' and it dates back to 1860

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This creepy thing is actually the world's oldest surviving diving suit. It's affectionately called 'The Old Gentleman' and it dates back to 1860

Image Source: Reddit

18. "The old 'Telefontornet' telephone tower in Stockholm, Sweden, with approximately 5,500 telephone lines (c. 1890)"

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions "The old "Telefontornet" telephone tower in Stockholm, Sweden, with approximately 5,500 telephone lines (c. 1890)"

Image Source: Reddit

19. This 350-year-old pocket watch may not be particularly practical today, but the very fact that it's carved from a single Colombian emerald makes it an art piece

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions This 350-year-old pocket watch may not be particularly practical today, but the very fact that it's carved from a single Colombian emerald makes it an art piece

Image Source: Reddit

20. A rail zeppelin side by side a steam train in Berlin, Germany (1931)

Odd Vintage Tech Inventions A rail zeppelin side by side a steam train in Berlin, Germany (1931)

Image Source: Reddit

Share these amazing pictures with family and friends!

Like Next Post Send Share WhatsApp

Copy Link

Did you mean:

Continue With: Facebook Google

By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy

Report copyright infringement

Print this content

You may also like:

Vehicles of Ground, Air & Water

Timeless Beauties: 16 Cars That Never Went Out of Style

We Need These 16 Classic Cars Back on the Road!

These classic cars were so cool!

Vehicles of Ground, Air & Water

Did You Know That These Are The World’s Oldest Cars?

History's 7 Oldest Vehicles You Must Know About

Here is a look at some of history's oldest vehicles. While their designs may not appeal to us today, they certainly have great significance.

Vehicles of Ground, Air & Water

This Incredible Bicycle Car is the Vehicle We All Need!

3:12

Unusual Vehicles: A Bicycle That’s Shaped Like a Car?

Take a ride on the PodRide E-Bike - a bicycle shaped like a CAR!

Science and Technology

14 Advanced Underwater Robots Mapping the Unknown

These Underwater Craft Are Changing Marine Science

Here's a look at the most remarkable machines currently expanding our understanding of the underwater world.

Science and Technology

Embrace Your Laziness with These Amazing Inventions

18:14

15 Awesome Inventions All Lazybones Would Love!

Feeling lazy? Check out some of these awesome inventions that may just be the perfect thing for you.

Baba Recommends

These Ancient Greek Inventions Helped Shape Our World

These Ancient Greek Inventions Helped Change the World

Take a look at some of important inventions and discoveries of ancient Greece that you might not be aware of.

Health

This Musical Test That Could Detect Dementia Early

The Musical Test That Could Detect Dementia Early

Researchers have developed a promising new approach: using music to detect the early signs of cognitive decline.

Art

The Best Netflix Movies to Enjoy in 2025

ere are the ten standout movies we'd like to recommend. Films that have captured both critical acclaim and audience attention this year.

Send Comment

Related Topics: inventions, past, vintage photos, vintage cars, science and technology, design and photography, technological developments

Quizzes

Complete the Series

We’ve put together 19 tough questions that will push your thinking to the limit - you have to complete each series using nothing but logic.

Are Your Eyes Ready for a Visual Challenge?

Prepare to engage your visual intelligence - where observation meets deduction, and fragmented pieces reveal hidden truths. Good luck with this distinctive cognitive challenge!

Find the Differences 12 Simple Vision Challenges

Ready for a fun challenge that will put your brain, eyes, and patience to the test?

20 Vintage Tech Inventions We Never Even Heard of Today

1. This dangerous-looking one-wheel motorcycle was invented by Italian M. Goventosa de Udine in 1931 and it could reach the maximum speed of 150 km per hour (93 Mph)

2. This 300-year-old mystery machine is located at the Palafoxiana Library in Puebla, and all it does is it lets you have up to 7 books open at once

3. This contraption is a so-called "Morrison shelter”, which was used during WWII as protection from collapsing ceilings caused by 'Blitz' bombing raids

4. Behold Jay Ohrberg's 'double-wide' limousine. Fun fact: the same person created the 'American dream' super limo

5. TV Glasses, the 1960s predecessor of the Google Glass created by Hugo Gernsback, also failed

6. This big boy is a Kodak K-24 camera. It was used by the American forces during WW2 for aerial photography

7. "Motorola Vice President John F. Mitchell showing off the DynaTAC portable radiotelephone in New York City in 1973"

8. Two-horn listening devices like this one located at Bolling Field in Washington, DC, in 1921 were used before the invention of radar to locate planes

9. Now this Robo-Vac vacuum design from Whirlpool’s 'Miracle Kitchen of the Future' display from 1959 is pretty close to modern-day robot vacuums

10. This contraption is called the 'Isolator'. It was created by Hugo Gernsback to "insulate the senses" in order to avoid outside distractions in 1925.

May also interest you:

11. What the inside of an old calculator looks like from the side

12. These motorized roller-skates allowed door-to-door salesman to zip from door to door at a higher speed (1961)

13. "1911: Chester McDuffee and his ADS diving suit, aluminum alloy weighing 485 lbs/200 kg"

14. These mini bikes for your feet from the 1910s don't look safe at all!

15. This is the Philco Predicta television set. It dates back to the late 1950s and I'd argue that it still looks pretty stylish today.

16. This narrow train was installed in New York’s Holland tunnel to monitor traffic speed in the 1950s

17. This creepy thing is actually the world's oldest surviving diving suit. It's affectionately called 'The Old Gentleman' and it dates back to 1860

18. "The old 'Telefontornet' telephone tower in Stockholm, Sweden, with approximately 5,500 telephone lines (c. 1890)"

19. This 350-year-old pocket watch may not be particularly practical today, but the very fact that it's carved from a single Colombian emerald makes it an art piece

20. A rail zeppelin side by side a steam train in Berlin, Germany (1931)