The "Why didn't I think of that" thread.

[Normsthename]

My Grandad during WW2 was a part time policeman.
He was also an engineer and found that the handcuffs didn't hold prisoners secure enough.
So he welded a bar between the cuffs making them solid.
About 40+ years later police started using something similar

Andy

 

[droopsnoot]

35 years ago i invented a baby's thermometer built in to a dummy and the LCD dial on the front for mum to see..The thought came after trying to get my middle daughter as a young baby to keep a regular glass stick device in her mouth without a fit....No one would take it up and i could of made millions.

I remember thinking years ago how it would be handy if car brake lights had some way to distinguish between "I am lightly tapping my brakes to slow down a little" and "I am standing on my brake pedal". That seems to be a thing on some cars now, sadly I kept my idea to myself and someone else gets all the cash. Well, probably not an actual person, more likely Bosch or similar.

 

[Ton-up]

Not really a 'why didn't I think of that' but Back in the early '80s, my Dad made my Mum a handle, to open some double glazed fanlight windows she could not reach. It was a 2ft long piece of 8mm st/st rod in a L shape with a ring on the end to go over the handle. A few people who saw it wanted one, so he made a few. My Uncle (by marriage) saw it and sold the design to a company who did make a few apparently and sold them.
My Dad did not see any of the money.....

My Mum still uses hers to open the kitchen window.

 

[Ton-up]

I saw these rules with the little bent end advertised the other day on FB. So simple a mod to be able to pick it up off a bench rather than sliding it off the edge, especially if you are wearing gloves!

Shinwa 13137 Japanese 60cm Stainless Steel Pickup Rule

Get precise measurements with the Shinwa 13137 60cm stainless steel ruler. Features include a comfortable pickup end, clear 1mm markings, and a helpful conversion chart. Ideal for woodworking, crafting, and professional use.

www.tyzacktools.com

 

[Mark 2]

. Well, probably not an actual person, more likely Bosch or similar.

Bob Bosch, Engineer and wearer of large hats.

 

[Morris]

Where's the jet pack I was promised all those years ago?

And my flying car.

 

[Mark 5]

I remember thinking years ago how it would be handy if car brake lights had some way to distinguish between "I am lightly tapping my brakes to slow down a little" and "I am standing on my brake pedal". That seems to be a thing on some cars now, sadly I kept my idea to myself and someone else gets all the cash. Well, probably not an actual person, more likely Bosch or similar.

My very first big boy bicycle was a " Pave Master " on the back of the rack was a metal box with a battery which when you braked would light up " STOP ".

One of my older brothers removed it and a larger metal box took its place which when the brake was applied read "F-ING STOP".

 

[JOEPRO]

A work colleague once told me that he always did no 2's at work. I asked why and he said "because the toilet roll is free and you get paid for it"

Why didn't I think of that

 

[Mark 5]

A work colleague once told me that he always did no 2's at work. I asked why and he said "because the toilet roll is free and you get paid for it"

Why didn't I think of that

At least he didn't say he did crap at work--or maybe he did.

 

[Farside]

They invented this during WW2, they just need to find a way to slow down the energy release.














View attachment 485307

Well, they successfully slowed down the energy release with nuclear, just ask the residents of Pripyat.

 

[roofman]

In the 70,s i invented a remote control for the push button TV...but while it was being used we could not use the yard brush.

 

[W.olly]

I had to find which rocker was a bit out, and i like to think of gadgets to make to do a job.

Now why didnt i think of this. This way i can run the engine and see which was tapping away and set it right. Saves getting oil everywjere aswell.

Just use old rocker covers and cut the top off to see the rockers. easy

Old school as well jsut how i like it Like setting timing / lifters with a screw driver and ruler

 

[Smallfry]

In the 70,s i invented a remote control for the push button TV...but while it was being used we could not use the yard brush.

My dad had one of those, but the runner beans had nothing to hang on to.

 

[Smallfry]

I remember thinking years ago how it would be handy if car brake lights had some way to distinguish between "I am lightly tapping my brakes to slow down a little" and "I am standing on my brake pedal". That seems to be a thing on some cars now, sadly I kept my idea to myself and someone else gets all the cash. Well, probably not an actual person, more likely Bosch or similar.

Sequential brake lights and indicators have been around for many years. They were illegal here in the UK, and I thought they still were, but a lot of new cars are fitted with the indicators now.

 

[Bullet2012]

In the 70,s i invented a remote control for the push button TV...but while it was being used we could not use the yard brush.

In the 70s I was the remote.

 

[Olderisbetter]

I invented claiming to have invented things

 

[minimutly]

I remember thinking years ago how it would be handy if car brake lights had some way to distinguish between "I am lightly tapping my brakes to slow down a little" and "I am standing on my brake pedal". That seems to be a thing on some cars now, sadly I kept my idea to myself and someone else gets all the cash. Well, probably not an actual person, more likely Bosch or similar.

The first time I saw this was a Vauxhall (bigger than Astra?) that I was following cross country at some pace, some 15 yrs ago, brake lights flashing overtime....

 

[oldbikedavey]

Bob Bosch, Engineer and wearer of large hats.

His dad was pretty nifty with a paintbrush, but had some interesting substance abuse issues.....

 

[4String.]

I remember thinking years ago how it would be handy if car brake lights had some way to distinguish between "I am lightly tapping my brakes to slow down a little" and "I am standing on my brake pedal". That seems to be a thing on some cars now, sadly I kept my idea to myself and someone else gets all the cash. Well, probably not an actual person, more likely Bosch or similar.

The 4 stage retarder fitted to my daily drive Volvo FH16 isn't linked to the brake lights.

When applied fully it slows 44 tons with almost enough deceleration to have me head-butting the windscreen with no visual warning to whoever (if anyone) is behind me. Not sure how sensible a system that is .