A Brief History
On July 16, 1935, life for American drivers got just a bit more irritating when the first ever parking meters were installed in Oklahoma City. While Roger Babson was the first to patent a parking meter, the first usable ones were patented by Carl Magee and separately by Oklahoma State University professors Holger George Thuesen and Gerald A. Hale.
Digging Deeper
Today, we look at some things we wish were never invented. What would you include on this list?
Computer pop-up ads, the annoying creation of Ethan Zuckerman in the mid 1990s, who at least apologized to the world for his horrible invention.
Red Light Cameras, developed by Gatso of the Netherlands in the 1960s and Photo Radar, also pioneered by Gatso in the 1990s.
And possibly the most annoying invention of all, Robo Calls! First mentioned by David Bunnell in 1977, the rise of computers made automated calling the scourge of society by the 1980s.
Note: We have previously discussed traffic cameras and expressed our dislike for these items. Do not let anyone fool you! These devices are about raising money and have nothing to do with public safety.
Some possible contenders: Nuclear weapons, poison gas, political ads, the GM diesel car engine, the GM 4-6-8 engine, shoe store foot x-ray machines, any medicine containing mercury, speed bumps, seat belt buzzers, Disco music, high heel shoes, or perhaps neckties!
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: What is the worst invention ever?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Roberts, Dan Cooper. Worst Inventions: Unveiling History’s Biggest Flops. Kindle, 2023.
Watkins, Jack. The World’s Worst Inventions. Metro Books, 2010.
