But none come close to the silliness pioneered by the Japanese.

Todays site features details a catalogue of entrepreneurial misfires which are ingenious in their stupidity - the type of gizmos that should never have progressed beyond beer mat doodle.

Consider the Babymop a baby suit that doubles as floor mop. The self explanatory noodle cooler (or miniature fan to you and me) attaches to the eaters chopstick. Detachable Suction cups are designed to prevent commuters falling over while dozing on subway trains and the all day toilet roll dispenser helmet dispenses toilet roll..all day !

It seems there is no end to the inventiveness of the Japanese mind and no beginning to it’s usefulness. There’s a reason why cockroach swatting slippers, portable zebra crossings and combined occidental-oriental footwear for men haven’t made it to a shop near you they are much better suited to the kitchen bin than Dragons Den.