The strangest inventions ever patented

From an accidental masturbation preventer to a faceplant facilitation device...

Cockfight
(Image credit: World Science Festival)

The first patent, granted on July 31, 1790, secured the rights for a thrilling new process for "the making of Pot ash and Pearl ash." In the 224 years since, there have been millions of patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. And for every cotton gin and light bulb, there are a few more…interesting… patents issued. Like these…

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