Prototype for Flying Machine

Monopoly and Nazis

Patent #748,626: Original sketch for the board game "The Landlord's Game", precursor to Monopoly, the most popular board game in the world. Invented in 1904 by J Magie Phillips to help explain the notion of a single-tax theory--something she abhorred as it would concentrate land in private monopolies--Monopoly is now played by some 485 million people in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. In the 1940s during World War II, special editions of Monopoly were created by the British Secret Service to be sent to prisoners of war under Nazi control. Hidden inside the game was real money, compasses, maps and other tools to facilitate their escape. Tragically, the Nazis did not accept the Get Out of Jail Free card.

If your interested in conspiracy theories, Parker Bros and its parent company Hasbro (at least according to Wikipedia) deny J Magie Phillips had anything to do with the design and won a court battle to this effect. Above is her design (a larger version is here). You be the judge.

Land Monitor

Trying to build off the success of the USS Monitor in the Civil War, Albert E Redstone sent his patent for the "Land Monitor" to the Secretary of War claiming it could do the work of an entire division with only two men.

Coffins for the Living

Afraid you've buried someone alive? Even the non-dead will rest easy in this coffin, designed "in doubtful cases of actual death". Coffin comes complete with window and easy-open latch on the inside. (c. 1843)