Brain Teasers
Not So Great Inventions #3
Inspired by the internationally popular Global Positioning System (GPS), the Person Positioning System (PPS) is a device that tells a person his or her orientation. The PPS is powered by a 120v / 220V AC source for easy plug in. The unit is strapped onto the person's torso. With the CRT screen set on an angle against the chest, the person needs only to look down to see the information output by the PPS, i.e., the person's position. A "slightly modified" version of the PPS has an altimeter and a speedometer to tell the person's altitude and speed. The problem with this unit seemed so obvious to me but to the inventor and hundreds of people who bought the unit not so obvious. What was the problem with the unit?
Answer
Unless you happen to have a portable 120/220v Ac power supply in you pocket (which is quite impractical), or a 20 km extension cord the device could only be used as a paper weight or cup holder if you didn't happen to have a power outlet next to you.Hide Answer Show Answer
What Next?
View a Similar Brain Teaser...
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
Solve a Puzzle
Comments
yea, that was great fun.....though a very simple one involving common sense.
trivia? really? who put this here?
Yeah, I'm not sure that was trivia, but I liked it just the same. So was that a TRUE invention that failed, or a joke. If it was true, that trivia it shall be
My first thought was, if this device were strapped to your torso and you started to perspire, would you get a shock? Didn't even think about the need for an electrical cord and outlet!
Lol froggy.
Good one, keep them coming.
Good one, keep them coming.
they should run it off battery!!! Good though
Wouldn't a compass work just as well?
I'm pretty sure that device can also be powered with your car...
To post a comment, please create an account and sign in.
Follow Braingle!