the most useless machine

[dmaynard]

I want one of these 
 

The Most Useless Machine EVER!

[Rowan]

It needs something to turn it on for the user........

 

[Emettman]

That takes me back...
It was first demonstrated on television by Professor Eric Laithwaite in The Royal Institution of Great Britain Christmas lectures, 1966/67. "The Engineer in Wonderland".  Memorable.  Obviously!

[Rowan]

Not along similar lines.........

A small gadget purchased at the Kuranda Market after a ride on the Kuranda Railway, Far North Queensland...

Upon opening the sliding lid a snake jumps out and strikes the hapless user on the finger.

 

[bkbates]

These are reminiscent of the old "How to keep a moron busy - turn over". The phrase is written on both sides of a small piece of paper, then you hand it to your moron de jour.

[adrian]

G'day all
 
I have a similar device to the "most useless machine ever". The difference being that instead of a switch there is a slot to take a small coin. The BOX then started to move around for several seconds then a hand came out, grabbed the coin and disappeared ! 
So not so useless after all 
 
Would post a picture but not sure where it is at the moment.
 
It was purchased from Proops of Tottenham Court Road in the 60's..........I don't belive they have any left in stock.
 
Cheers    Adrian

[Emettman]

I know this one, in several variations:
Here, the "coffin bank"
http://www.otherlandtoys.co.uk/clockwork-coffin-bank-p-2464.html
 
Here, the "box and hand"
http://www.bizarrefun.com/FAH2977.jpg
 
While hunting, found this: which may be even more inexplicable.
http://craziestgadgets.com/2008/10/31/bizarrely-creepy-foaming-grinding-skeleton-bank/

[G-man]

That revolving skeleton is something else. However, if it was mounted on a power truck it would make a real neat Halloween hand car. The revolving wheel and moving skeleton would make it look like the skeleton was powering the handcar. What a neat idea.

[Emettman]

That revolving skeleton is something else. However, if it was mounted on a power truck it would make a real neat Halloween hand car. The revolving wheel and moving skeleton would make it look like the skeleton was powering the handcar. What a neat idea.

Hmm:
not a desperate price in G-scale animated car terms.  10 inches by six by four, with room to do a little trimming if required, by the looks of the video.  Or even a lot, if it disassembles.

[adrian]

G'day Emettman

Here, the "box and hand"
http://www.bizarrefun.com/FAH2977.jpg

Yep ! That's the one !

Good to see that its still available after at least 50 years !

Cheers, Adrian

[Bill Wray]

Seems like I remember a cigarette box that had a hand that slapped you when you reached for a smoke. It might have been shaped like a coffin. Probably not a totally useless machine, though.