Sometimes ideas that sound great in your head don’t always hit the mark, while other crazy ideas really hit a home run. But other times, you see a small issue or inconvenience and wonder why no one has found a better solution.
Look no further, however, because we’ve assembled the ultimate list of “Why didn’t I think of that?” inventions sure to blow your mind.
Which one do you like best?
Traffic Light Upgrade
If you’ve ever been at a traffic light and thought to yourself, “I feel like I’ve been sitting here forever!” that intersection could probably use a light like this one. This new traffic light counts down until it’s ‘go time.’
Perfect Slice
With this handy invention, you can hold the onion while you slice it without ever having to touch it. Forget the mess and the difficulty of cutting something round on a flat cutting board—the future is here.
Stroller X Scooter
Parent or not, a walk, or rather, a scoot, on this thing looks like a lot of fun. Now you and baby can cruise through the neighborhood in style. How much fun would this be?
Keeping It Clean
When you have a crawling little one, the dirty floor is always on your mind. This onesie features mop scrubbies down the arms, legs, and chest, putting your baby on clean-up duty. Parenting: no one said it was pretty.
Lunch Fool
You’ll no longer have to worry about a co-worker stealing your lunch when you’ve got these bags. With built-in “mold-stains” your office lunch-stealer will pass on your fresh sandwich. Hah!
Light The Way
Whether you’re grabbing a late night snack or running to use the restroom, these LED-lit slippers will help you find your way. Forget tripping down the stairs or a rogue shoe, you won’t miss a thing with these slipper lights.
Warm Together
With these knit gloves you can keep your kid close and hands warm at the same time. But if it’s not snow you’re facing, perhaps this next invention will help you out…
Rain Sphere
This sphere-shaped umbrella is the ultimate tool against a rainy day. Jump inside and stay totally dry, even in the sideways rain. The looks from passerby are a small price to pay, or perhaps a small bonus, depending on who you are.
Photo Corner
These photo frames are curved at a 90-degree angle, giving a little something extra to home design. If you’ve got an odd space to design, these will certainly help.
Mix Stix
The musically-inclined will appreciate these wooden mixing spoons that double as drumsticks. You never know when a beat will hit you, might even be while you’re mixing up a delicious meal, and if pizza is on the menu you need this next invention…
A Cut Above
These pizza scissors will make cutting your perfect slice an easy task—just slide the spatula under the pie and make your cut. No more messin’ around with a pizza slicer.
Doggo-brella
This dog umbrella/leash combo is perfect for the picky pooch. Some dogs just don’t like to go out in the rain, and how can you blame them?
Office Goals
The next invention on the list makes sitting at your desk a competitive sport. With built-in nets under your chairs, don’t be caught off guard when your coworker is yelling “GOALLLLLLLLLLL!”
Bird Cuts
Now, this might seem a bit extra, but if you have a pet bird, it very well may come in handy. This cutting board has built-in perforations so that when you slice up your bread, the crumbs fall below for your bird friends.
Toasted Slice
While a lightsaber would be cool, this bread knife slices and toasts your bread all in one swift motion. Live out your childhood dreams while you make your breakfast.
Magic Wand
This plate and wand is the new way to heat or cool your beverages. The wand emits a current that changes the temperature of the liquid it’s placed in, hot or cold, your choice.
Going Green
This digital pen allows you to “write” on any surface, and what’s written is digitally submitted via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet. Talk about going green!
Weather Window
This translucent phone can show the weather clearly and realistically: it simply changes the appearance of the screen. Looks a lot like an iPhone, though…
Copy & Paste
This new concept device allows you to scan any photo and print it onto any surface with this ink inside. This would be really handy!
Flex to Talk
This concept piece is a flexible smartphone that’s waterproof. It can be worn as a wristband to track fitness, too. This is one device we’d wait in line to get. Much like this next one…
Know What You’re Eating
This scanner can tell you what is in any meal. A list of ingredients and the nutritional facts will appear after you scan the item.
On the Go
This phone is also a wearable Bluetooth device, so you can go hands-free at any time. Concave and small for better fit, this little thing would be pretty sleek.
Water Workout
This water treadmill might appear to be a hot tub at first glance, but with the moving bottom, you can run or walk while you’re inside. Great for healing after injury, this low-resistance workout is perfect for anyone.
Solar Fuel
A compact, portable, solar charger is the perfect thing to keep in your bag. What’s better is that it clips onto a window, capturing all rays it can so give you some juice.
Poppin’ Wheelies
Sidewinding circular skates allow you to freely control your legs and turn. This “skateboard” has 2 wheels 25 cm (9.8″) in diameter and platforms for your feet. Good luck trying these out…
Instant Translation
As soon as you insert these tiny earbuds into your ears, they automatically translate to the language chosen in settings. Traveling would be a breeze when these get released.
Three Sides
This smartphone has three interconnected screens that work together to give you a seamless and endless interface. Three screens certainly seem better than one.
Sanitization Wand
This kitchen sanitizer wand uses UV rays to destroy up to 99% of harmful bacteria from any solid surface. This would be really handy when you’re prepping a multicourse meal.
Self-Warming Jacket
This jacket has built-in heating sensors that connect directly to your smartphone. You just set your preferred temperature and go about your day no matter the weather.
Levitating Lightbulb
This levitating desk lamp is super efficient and just hands-down cool. If you use it for 6 hours a day, this lamp will last you 22 years of use.
Desk Rest
Working long hours? A little hungover from last nights “networking event?” Get yourself this desk—it doubles as a desk and a nap cot.
Juiced
This innovative charging device uses the temperature of your drink and turns that energy into electrical power to charge your phone. Drink your juice while you juice your phone.Â
Snip Snip
These herb scissors will give you the perfect snip of fresh herbs to top off any dish. Just slice up the stalk, and you’re good to go. This handy tool goes great when it comes to meal prepping for the next invention…
Portion Control Plates
These creative plates help you make sure that you’re eating the correct size portions. This visual aid comes in handy because let’s be honest, who really knows what one cup looks like when you toss it on your plate?
Double Shot of Wake Up
This alarm clock doubles as a coffee maker—this is creative genius. When the alarm sounds, this little gadget starts brewing your morning cup of joe right there on your nightstand.
Modern Cat Art
No, this isn’t a piece from the MoMA. Instead, this beautiful piece is all about giving your feline a good time. The next invention on this list is for the mice…
Arm Rest
This mouse pad has a forearm rest built in, your hand and arm are more properly supported while you work. If you work at a computer every day you know how nice it would be to own one of these.
Bag Support System
Putting your leftovers away is made a whole heck of a lot easier with this bag support. Now you don’t have to grow an extra set of arms to clean up your mess.
Paw Wash
The Paw Wash makes cleaning up muddy paws super easy. After your pup comes in during a muddy day, just dunk their paws in the Paw Wash and they’re good to go.
Spray Away
When you need a spritz of lime for your favorite dip, juicing them can be a difficult task. Instead, with this handy little invention, the spray nozzle enters right into the fruit itself… easy peasy.
Everyone Deserves a Walk
It’s not quite fair that only our dogs get to go out for a walk, and now, they’re not alone. This goldfish bowl has a connecting handle that allows you to take your fish for a walk. Just what you’ve always wanted…
Double-Sided
Double-sided toothpaste is THE thing you never knew you needed. Who doesn’t hate getting to the end and using all your might to try and get that little bit that’s left at the bottom? Now, you don’t have to. Instead, you just pop open the other side.
Keeping Your Own Hands Off
Self-control not your greatest strength? You’re not alone. These containers lock closed and only open when the timer is up.
OCD Machine
Okay, so it’s not called the OCD machine, but this handy little invention sorts things by color. This has the neat freak in all of us smiling.
Charging
A rocking chair with a tablet stand and a built-in charger—mom’s everywhere… it’s here!
Spread It
When you’re a “butter-in-the-fridge” kind of person, spreading your butter on toast can be a bit difficult. This butter knife has a built-in warmer to help make the perfect spreadable butter. And this next invention is even more clever…
Laser Taps
With this new laser keyboard, you’ll be able to keep yourself entertained, and ahead of the tech curve. Not to mention, you’ll be the envy of everyone at your office with this cool little gadget. Especially when you pair it with the next invention…
Ahead of the Curve
This curved, touch-enabled desk is a peek into the future of office work. This curved beauty eliminates the need for a mouse and a keyboard. What a game changer!
Sauna To-Go
Shared gym sauna not your thing? Get warm at home with this solo sauna set-up (say that ten times fast). Rest and relaxation can happen wherever, whenever with this bad boy, along with the next invention…
On the Road Again
This air mattress set-up for your car makes any road trip easy as pie. Get your rest and get back on the road in a jiffy. But if cars aren’t your mode of transportation, this next invention will help you out…
Laser Lane
This laser-lit bike lane helps keep bikers safe on the road at night. Some cities are not so keen on sharing the road with bikers, and bike lanes aren’t found everywhere yet, so with the help of this invention, you’ll be safer no matter the destination.
Jagged Eats
Part of the challenge of eating spaghetti is just keeping it on your fork, but with this curve-pronged fork, your spaghetti will stay put and you can enjoy those Italian eats. And then, for dessert, you can enjoy this next bite…
Locked Out
Ben & Jerry’s created this pint-lock to keep your housemates out of your ice-cream stash. Maybe it’s just us, but this is pretty much the best invention ever.
Change of Heart
Rain may come, but blue skies always follow. So when the skies clear up, this umbrella creatively turns into a tote bag, making it a versatile fashion piece, too.
Second-Life Candle
As this candle burns, the stand collects the wax and reforms it into a new candle—no waste, no mess.