19 Trail-Blazing Inventions That Were Well Before Their Time

Andrew Cunningham Published 01/23/2025

Discover a collection of groundbreaking inventions that were ahead of their time, reshaping industries and sparking ideas long before the world was ready for them.

From futuristic concepts that seemed outlandish to innovative devices that laid the foundation for modern technology, these trail-blazing creations demonstrate the visionary brilliance of inventors who dared to think beyond the present.

Each invention tells a story of ingenuity, risk, and the relentless pursuit of progress, showcasing how innovation has always been a driving force for change.

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1.
Wireless Electricity - In the early 1900's Nikola Tesla had built a system to distribute free wireless electricity via the air. However he ran out of money, and faced opposition from greedy companies that wanted to sell metered electricity instead.
2.
Central Heating - Though quite different than what we know today, the Ancient greeks in 350 BC had a system called 'hypocaust' which used spaces between floors and walls to have heat from a furnace pumped through to warm up the inside of the building.
3.
Artificial 'Hands' - Major Little had designs for multiple attachments for a mechanical hand as depicted in the 'Official Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Great Exhibition, in 1851.
4.
A young man shows off his Headphones (1922) that connected to an AM radio underneath his Top Hat.
5.
Self Flushing Toilets - in as early as 1800 BC the Minoans had advanced understanding of water flow and plumbing which allowed them to create self-flushing bathrooms with advanced drainage systems.
6.
Electric Elevator Desks, Prague 1937 - these motorized desks made short work dealing with filing cabinet drawers that were built vertically to conserve space.
7.
This piano was specifically designed for those confined to a bed, wheelchair, or laying down position. Circa 1935.
8.
Television Googles 1963 - Move over Apple, before the VR headsets of the modern day, there was the 'Teleyeglasses' by avid inventor Hugo Gernsback.
9.
All Terrain Car, 1936 - This car could traverse steep slopes up to 65 degrees.
10.
Vending Machine, 1st Century - These vending machines built a gear and lever operated device that would dispense a small amount of holy water after the user inserted a coin.
11.
Archimedes' Screw 250 BC - The Greek mathematician created a large screw like device that was used to raise / transport water, and is still in use today.
12.
Roman Concrete, 200 BC - The romans used volcanic ash along with other materials to create this very durable concrete known as opus caementicium.
13.
The First Practical Electric Car, 1881 - French inventor named Gustave Trouve improved electric motor efficiency and married his motor to Faure's rechargeable battery to create the first rechargeable electric vehicle. The rudimentary powertrain was used in a James Starley tricycle.
14.
The First Mobile Telephone 1963 - The Altai, is primitive version of what we today call 'cell phones' was used for emergency services allowing mobile units to connect via landlines.
15.
The Autoped, 1915 - Reaching top speed of 20 miles per hour, the autoped was a personal transportation system (motorized scooter) that had a horn, tail lights, headlights, and a toolbox.
16.
Parachute - First successfully tested in 1617, this particular design was sketched by Leonardo da Vinci.
17.
Underwater Telegraph Cables - In 1858 the US and Great Britain were using underseas cables to communicate.
18.
Earthquake Detector AD 132 - Chinese inventor Zhang Heng is credited with creating the world's first seismoscope, a device that could detect earthquakes and even roughly pinpoint their direction, considered to be remarkably accurate for its time.
19.
Remove Controlled Lawn Mower, 1952 - Created by American inventor Barton G. Siebring . This device is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to be out in the heat while cutting the grass, or perhaps for anyone who suffers from allergies and wants to 'mow the lawn' while staying indoors.

1.
Wireless Electricity - In the early 1900's Nikola Tesla had built a system to distribute free wireless electricity via the air. However he ran out of money, and faced opposition from greedy companies that wanted to sell metered electricity instead.
2.
Central Heating - Though quite different than what we know today, the Ancient greeks in 350 BC had a system called 'hypocaust' which used spaces between floors and walls to have heat from a furnace pumped through to warm up the inside of the building.
3.
Artificial 'Hands' - Major Little had designs for multiple attachments for a mechanical hand as depicted in the 'Official Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Great Exhibition, in 1851.
4.
A young man shows off his Headphones (1922) that connected to an AM radio underneath his Top Hat.
5.
Self Flushing Toilets - in as early as 1800 BC the Minoans had advanced understanding of water flow and plumbing which allowed them to create self-flushing bathrooms with advanced drainage systems.
6.
Electric Elevator Desks, Prague 1937 - these motorized desks made short work dealing with filing cabinet drawers that were built vertically to conserve space.
7.
This piano was specifically designed for those confined to a bed, wheelchair, or laying down position. Circa 1935.
8.
Television Googles 1963 - Move over Apple, before the VR headsets of the modern day, there was the 'Teleyeglasses' by avid inventor Hugo Gernsback.
9.
All Terrain Car, 1936 - This car could traverse steep slopes up to 65 degrees.
10.
Vending Machine, 1st Century - These vending machines built a gear and lever operated device that would dispense a small amount of holy water after the user inserted a coin.
11.
Archimedes' Screw 250 BC - The Greek mathematician created a large screw like device that was used to raise / transport water, and is still in use today.
12.
Roman Concrete, 200 BC - The romans used volcanic ash along with other materials to create this very durable concrete known as opus caementicium.
13.
The First Practical Electric Car, 1881 - French inventor named Gustave Trouve improved electric motor efficiency and married his motor to Faure's rechargeable battery to create the first rechargeable electric vehicle. The rudimentary powertrain was used in a James Starley tricycle.
14.
The First Mobile Telephone 1963 - The Altai, is primitive version of what we today call 'cell phones' was used for emergency services allowing mobile units to connect via landlines.
15.
The Autoped, 1915 - Reaching top speed of 20 miles per hour, the autoped was a personal transportation system (motorized scooter) that had a horn, tail lights, headlights, and a toolbox.
16.
Parachute - First successfully tested in 1617, this particular design was sketched by Leonardo da Vinci.
17.
Underwater Telegraph Cables - In 1858 the US and Great Britain were using underseas cables to communicate.
18.
Earthquake Detector AD 132 - Chinese inventor Zhang Heng is credited with creating the world's first seismoscope, a device that could detect earthquakes and even roughly pinpoint their direction, considered to be remarkably accurate for its time.
19.
Remove Controlled Lawn Mower, 1952 - Created by American inventor Barton G. Siebring . This device is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to be out in the heat while cutting the grass, or perhaps for anyone who suffers from allergies and wants to 'mow the lawn' while staying indoors.

Wireless Electricity - In the early 1900's Nikola Tesla had built a system to distribute free wireless electricity via the air. However he ran out of money, and faced opposition from greedy companies that wanted to sell metered electricity instead.

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Wireless Electricity - In the early 1900's Nikola Tesla had built a system to distribute free wireless electricity via the air. However he ran out of money, and faced opposition from greedy companies that wanted to sell metered electricity instead.

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NEXT GALLERY 33 Cool Picks To Lift Your Dulldrums

1. Wireless Electricity - In the early 1900's Nikola Tesla had built a system to distribute free wireless electricity via the air. However he ran out of money, and faced opposition from greedy companies that wanted to sell metered electricity instead.

2. Central Heating - Though quite different than what we know today, the Ancient greeks in 350 BC had a system called 'hypocaust' which used spaces between floors and walls to have heat from a furnace pumped through to warm up the inside of the building.

3. Artificial 'Hands' - Major Little had designs for multiple attachments for a mechanical hand as depicted in the 'Official Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Great Exhibition, in 1851.

4. A young man shows off his Headphones (1922) that connected to an AM radio underneath his Top Hat.

5. Self Flushing Toilets - in as early as 1800 BC the Minoans had advanced understanding of water flow and plumbing which allowed them to create self-flushing bathrooms with advanced drainage systems.

6. Electric Elevator Desks, Prague 1937 - these motorized desks made short work dealing with filing cabinet drawers that were built vertically to conserve space.

7. This piano was specifically designed for those confined to a bed, wheelchair, or laying down position. Circa 1935.

8. Television Googles 1963 - Move over Apple, before the VR headsets of the modern day, there was the 'Teleyeglasses' by avid inventor Hugo Gernsback.

9. All Terrain Car, 1936 - This car could traverse steep slopes up to 65 degrees.

10. Vending Machine, 1st Century - These vending machines built a gear and lever operated device that would dispense a small amount of holy water after the user inserted a coin.

11. Archimedes' Screw 250 BC - The Greek mathematician created a large screw like device that was used to raise / transport water, and is still in use today.

12. Roman Concrete, 200 BC - The romans used volcanic ash along with other materials to create this very durable concrete known as opus caementicium.

13. The First Practical Electric Car, 1881 - French inventor named Gustave Trouve improved electric motor efficiency and married his motor to Faure's rechargeable battery to create the first rechargeable electric vehicle. The rudimentary powertrain was used in a James Starley tricycle.

14. The First Mobile Telephone 1963 - The Altai, is primitive version of what we today call 'cell phones' was used for emergency services allowing mobile units to connect via landlines.

15. The Autoped, 1915 - Reaching top speed of 20 miles per hour, the autoped was a personal transportation system (motorized scooter) that had a horn, tail lights, headlights, and a toolbox.

16. Parachute - First successfully tested in 1617, this particular design was sketched by Leonardo da Vinci.

17. Underwater Telegraph Cables - In 1858 the US and Great Britain were using underseas cables to communicate.

18. Earthquake Detector AD 132 - Chinese inventor Zhang Heng is credited with creating the world's first seismoscope, a device that could detect earthquakes and even roughly pinpoint their direction, considered to be remarkably accurate for its time.

19. Remove Controlled Lawn Mower, 1952 - Created by American inventor Barton G. Siebring . This device is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to be out in the heat while cutting the grass, or perhaps for anyone who suffers from allergies and wants to 'mow the lawn' while staying indoors.

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1.
Wireless Electricity - In the early 1900's Nikola Tesla had built a system to distribute free wireless electricity via the air. However he ran out of money, and faced opposition from greedy companies that wanted to sell metered electricity instead.

2.
Central Heating - Though quite different than what we know today, the Ancient greeks in 350 BC had a system called 'hypocaust' which used spaces between floors and walls to have heat from a furnace pumped through to warm up the inside of the building.

3.
Artificial 'Hands' - Major Little had designs for multiple attachments for a mechanical hand as depicted in the 'Official Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Great Exhibition, in 1851.

4.
A young man shows off his Headphones (1922) that connected to an AM radio underneath his Top Hat.

5.
Self Flushing Toilets - in as early as 1800 BC the Minoans had advanced understanding of water flow and plumbing which allowed them to create self-flushing bathrooms with advanced drainage systems.

6.
Electric Elevator Desks, Prague 1937 - these motorized desks made short work dealing with filing cabinet drawers that were built vertically to conserve space.

7.
This piano was specifically designed for those confined to a bed, wheelchair, or laying down position. Circa 1935.

8.
Television Googles 1963 - Move over Apple, before the VR headsets of the modern day, there was the 'Teleyeglasses' by avid inventor Hugo Gernsback.

9.
All Terrain Car, 1936 - This car could traverse steep slopes up to 65 degrees.

10.
Vending Machine, 1st Century - These vending machines built a gear and lever operated device that would dispense a small amount of holy water after the user inserted a coin.

11.
Archimedes' Screw 250 BC - The Greek mathematician created a large screw like device that was used to raise / transport water, and is still in use today.

12.
Roman Concrete, 200 BC - The romans used volcanic ash along with other materials to create this very durable concrete known as opus caementicium.

13.
The First Practical Electric Car, 1881 - French inventor named Gustave Trouve improved electric motor efficiency and married his motor to Faure's rechargeable battery to create the first rechargeable electric vehicle. The rudimentary powertrain was used in a James Starley tricycle.

14.
The First Mobile Telephone 1963 - The Altai, is primitive version of what we today call 'cell phones' was used for emergency services allowing mobile units to connect via landlines.

15.
The Autoped, 1915 - Reaching top speed of 20 miles per hour, the autoped was a personal transportation system (motorized scooter) that had a horn, tail lights, headlights, and a toolbox.

16.
Parachute - First successfully tested in 1617, this particular design was sketched by Leonardo da Vinci.

17.
Underwater Telegraph Cables - In 1858 the US and Great Britain were using underseas cables to communicate.

18.
Earthquake Detector AD 132 - Chinese inventor Zhang Heng is credited with creating the world's first seismoscope, a device that could detect earthquakes and even roughly pinpoint their direction, considered to be remarkably accurate for its time.

19.
Remove Controlled Lawn Mower, 1952 - Created by American inventor Barton G. Siebring . This device is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to be out in the heat while cutting the grass, or perhaps for anyone who suffers from allergies and wants to 'mow the lawn' while staying indoors.