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10 quirky inventions that came from the minds of classic TV actors
You can thank these actors for the artificial heart and an ashtray shaped like an accordion.
Television stars — they're more than just pretty faces. Some of them are regular Edisons. Well, one of them, at least, arguably.
Still, several famous actors have submitted patents for unexpected inventions. Don't believe us? Take a look at some of the surprising creations from the minds of small-screen stars. Which one do you most desire?
1. John Ratzenberger
Method for attracting a user to a site on a computer network
On Cheers, he played the know-it-all mailman Cliff. Perhaps it's fitting then that Ratzenberger would submit a patent for what is, essentially, lure people to a website with celebrity. "The entity can use well-known or recognizable actors to attract users to the entertainment content and, in the process, to the entity's site on a regular basis, thereby making the site 'sticky,'" it claims. [link]
2. Kirstie Alley
Magnetized eyewear and matching picture frame
Cliff Clavin is not the only Cheers alum to file a patent. Kirstie Alley, who played Rebecca Howe, submitted a patent application in 2010 for magnetic reading glasses that affix to the back of a picture frame. [link]
3. Anson Williams
Ointment for topical treatment of hot flashes and method of use
In his years since playing Potsie on Happy Days, Williams has become a businessman. He launched a cosmetics company called Starmaker Products, spoke at the 2008 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's National Trademark Expo, and marketed Alert Drops to combat drowsy driving. No wonder he holds a patent for a hot flash treatment containing mint oils in a towelette. [link]
4. Paul Winchell
Artificial heart and others
The puppeteer just might be the brainiest man in television history. It's hard to top coming up with an artificial heart — yes, for the human body. That's a brilliant, life-saving invention. But voice of Tigger also dreamt up some wackier devices, such as his Hand pump for transferring liquids, Retractable fountain pen and the Inverted novelty mask, which turns your face into an upside-down egg man. [link]
5. Danny Kaye
Blowout toy or the like
The singing, dancing comedian, perhaps best known for White Christmas, was the brain behind this "blowout toy." It is, essentially, a New Year's Eve noisemaker, but with three unfurling tongues instead of a mere one. [link]
6. Lawrence Welk
Ash tray
It's an ashtray, only shaped like an accordion. Not exactly an artificial heart, but it's something. [link]
7. Steve McQueen
Bucket seat shell
The king of cool and cowboy bounty hunter of Wanted: Dead or Alive submitted a design patent for a buck seat used in Bullitt.
8. Gary Burghoff
Enhanced fish attractor device
Radar came up with a fishing tool. No, not sonar. The M*A*S*H actor developed something dubbed "Chum Magic," which helps anglers lure fish. [link]
9. Gary Burghoff
Toilet seat lifting handle
That's not all from the mind of Burghoff. We wanted to call special attention to his "ornamental design for a toilet seat lifting handle." Where can we buy one? link
10. Julie Newmar
Pantyhose with shaping band for cheeky derrier relief
Finally, we come to the original Catwoman, who submitted the most delightfully titled invention. The Batman beauty used both "cheeky" and "derrier" in her invention title. That's not the only undergarment from the mind of Newmar. She also patented a brassiere. [link]
SEE MORE: The hidden talents of 15 classic television stars
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