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Related Inventions:
Flannigan's Phanerogam Rendering Tube
The Pornograph
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The
Mammary Sympathizer, circa
1893 
Initially developed
as a possible container for a new gas he was emitting from his
laboratory, the Mammary Sympathizer is one of Michael Flannigan's
least-understood inventions. What is well understood is the stir
it caused in the London Public Library, circa 1893. (1)
A London Free Press report of the
time captures the event well:
A most astonishing predicament
confronted Miss Shapely Bottom, the night librarian at the Public
Library, a week ago last Thursday. While helping an elderly lady
dissect the meaning of one of Mr. Darwin's less comprehensible
rantings, a Mr. Michael Flannigan, of 45 Maitland Street, produced
a most obscene item from within the folds of his coat."It
was most embarrassing," said the mortified Miss Bottom later.
"It looked quite like a . . . a . . . well, you know."The
item in question most definitely resembled an extremely well-developed
bosom. When questioned by the authorities, the slightly confused
-- and it must be stressed, Irish man -- explained:"I only
intended to suggest that Miss Bottom try out my new device."
We did not ask what the use
of such an offensive item might be.
--"Scholarship" by The
Squire
Notes:
1) This "local
stir" was quite a serious affair for Flannigan and his neice,
Emily Chesely. It became known as the "Library Bosom Affair"
during the ensuing civil suit in which Miss Shapely Bottom accused
Flannigan of causing her "accute sexual distress." The
suit was eventually dropped, but not until Flannigan's reputation
was further sullied and he was forced to leave town for some time.
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