The gun helmet was a strange invention patented by Albert Salardi. In theory, sticking stuff on a helmet may be a good idea but ...

The patent describes how warfare is physically and mentally demanding on fighting men. It explains that soldiers must carry, assemble and operate devices while fighting.

The patent states that soldiers need to use their hands when shooting a gun. If soldiers could "shoot their guns without using their hands, they could do other things - like cut barb wire or carry and assemble equipment while shooting their gun if needed."

To solve this hands-free gun shooting problem, Al invented a helmet embedded with a gun that can be triggered by a mechanism in the mouth - while leaving his arms and hands free to do other things. Presumably while shooting other people.

Of course, it is duly noted that soldiers are not the only persons that shoot guns. The patent attorney writes the following description, "Police officers and prison guards at present cannot use their hands and arms, while pointing their firearms, to subdue prisoners."

Although this strange invention was never adopted by the arm forces or police, presumably due to the lack of safeguards to prevent accidental shootings caused by sneezing, it was cited as prior art to the invention of "night vision goggle-mounted helmets" used by the military.

Beyond the Threshold

These may be strange inventions, but they are examples of a great deal of work by their inventors. However, they did not consider the marketability or profitability of their strange inventions.