What we look for

An object that sounds invented, and turns out to be genuinely for sale. That is the whole test, and it is the one nothing gets past.

The three kinds that make it in

**Inventions with no problem to solve.** The object works exactly as described and the description was never needed.
**Gadgets that went too far.** Over-engineered, over-specified, and manufactured anyway.
**Objects made for the reaction.** Bought as a gift, opened in front of an audience, never used again.

Sending us one

Submissions are not open yet. When they are, this page will say where to send a find and what to include — a link to somewhere it is actually on sale, the name as the seller writes it, and one line on why it should not exist.