Some Goofy Inventions by Russell E. Oakes From the Late 1930s

Russell E. Oakes, a Waukesha, Wisconsin, advertising man, is the Thomas A. Edison of goofy gadgets. In his spare time, he came up with more than fifty screwball innovations, like a doughnut dunker, a horizonal toast-popper and a wind-up spaghetti fork.

Since demonstrating this hilarious ‘hydraulic lighter’, Oakes has been in wide demand as an entertainer. Apparently, at the time, Oakes was something of a national sensation. About 70 years later, his inventions still have a certain absurd appeal.

Crazy? Of course, the inventions are absurd. But they are bringing laughter to thousands of persons and they are bringing fame to the man whose hobby is devising them.

A man eating soup with a mechanical soup spoon. The device is intended for dinner parties where the hostess serves inedible soup. The offending soup is drained through a hollow handle, via a tube hidden up the sleeve, into a bottle attached to the leg. Foul odours are blown away by the propeller. The innocent hostess believes the device is simply for cooling her delicious fare.

Here’s one way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey: The ‘Barbecue King’ infrared cooking unit, on show at the United States Trade Centre catering equipment exhibition in London.

American amateur inventor Russel E. Oakes demonstrates his doughnut dunker, which prevents doughnuts from dripping and wetting the diner's fingers, heaven forbid.

Oakes poses with his ‘pop at you’ toaster which ejects toast forcefully and horizontally.

A wind-up spaghetti fork in operation, devised by Oakes. The fork winds spaghetti strands making them easy to eat.

Oakes demonstrates his “sleeve protector” which covers a slab of butter to prevent him accidentally touching it as he leans across a table.