Rubberbands, Not Clothes Make The Man: Great Idea?

Homunculus Constructed from Common Rubberbands also mundanely known as known Patent# US D522914 might prove nostalgic to someone like veteran actor, Boris Karloff, for it might conjure fond memories of one of his earliest roles, that which he played in the horror classic of the 1930s, The Mummy. But for those among us who are not related to or even familiar with him or anyone in his family, it is a wonder why patent protection would be needed on this delightfully camp, quirky and odd, but questionably marketable thing.

Looking at it for long periods can be somewhat addictive. It is clear that the creator of this thing had a sense of humor as indicated by the name chosen to identify it. The name, homunculus, is a noun defined as “a tiny fully formed individual that (according to the discredited theory of preformation) is supposed to be present in the sperm cell.”

So what we are talking about are little, rubbery sperm mummies that have come to wreck havoc on our creative psyches in darker moments. Maybe that’s a good thing and maybe no, but it does seem that Homunculus Constructed from Common Rubberbands could provide hours of unique fun for a precocious child who will hopefully grow up to be a responsibly green and ecologically aware adult.

Recycling everyday items into toys is a clever way to respect and preserve our environment and has been a constant source of inspiration to modern inventors. Consider “Building Blocks Made From Bottle Caps: Recycling Gone Astray”, and check out the rubberband girl in “Out of Space Artistic Expression or The Future of Humanity?”

As far as Homunculus Constructed from Common Rubberbands is concerned, he is welcome to come to my house for a visit but he better stay away from my paper clips!

Via Free Patents