The Comet Suit, circa 1898
Like all good men of science and discovery, Michael Flannigan kept up with the latest scientific journals and publications. In the late 1890s he become very concern with reports about the imminent return of Halley's Comet. Crude astronomical calculations of the day showed that the comet was going to come very close to the Earth upon its return in 1910. Though only the most apocalyptic commentators believed that the comet would strike the Earth, most agreed that the Earth would pass through the comet's tail (as indeed it did). Nobody knew for sure what effect comet tail gasses would have on the Earth.

Flannigan was particularly concerned about the implications of this event and designed an outfit to protect the wearer from the corrosive gasses from outer space. Flannigan died before the suit could be produced. Fortunately, when comet Halley did return, its gaseous tail did no more than produce a spectacular light show for the inhabitants of the Earth.

 

The Single Action Facial Hair Removal Device, circa 1899
In an age when the programmability was limited to player pianos, this ultimately flawed creation stands out as a splendid example of programmable technology. The single action facial hair removal device could remove all facial hair in a matter of seconds. In the first use a roller was used. When the roller moved across the facial features contour information was stored on a player-piano-like scroll. The roller was then replaced with a blade (as seen at left). When the scissor-like apparatus was closed the blade would cross the face in "exact remembrance of the gentleman's visage".

If built with today's precision technology, this device might actually work. Unfortunately, construction in Flannigan's day was not up to the task. The accidental severing of noses, lips and chins among early adopters of the device lead to its quiet abandonment.

(Additional Note: One of the unfortunate victims of this failed device went on to some success years later as a professional hockey player. "Face-Off" Norton also gave the game one of its pre-eminent terms.)

The Companion Carrier, circa 1900
Designed for the "man who would be with his mate while she is about her work", the companion carrierhas the dubious distinction of being the least favorite invention of Flannigan's normally adoring niece Emily Chesley. When the London speculative fiction writer saw sketches of the Companion Carrier she flew into a rare rage against her uncle. Accusing Flannigan of treating the woman as a pack animal she also noted the device represented the "most uncomfortable, unnecessary, and unpleasant form of mounting ever devised." All of Flannigan's sketches were burned except for the one at left which was found after the inventor's death in a folio labeled "Meaningless Drivel".

--"Scholarship" by Thuder