The 1920s satnav ... and other weird and wonderful gadgets that never quite took off

It was the invention of the future - a tiny machine complete with its own map that would tell motorists which way to go.

But this was no satnav - after all, the communications satellites that help modern cars locate themselves were still decades away.

Instead, the route-finder for the well-equipped 1920s driver was a wristwatch-style device equipped with minuscule maps.

Lost in time: The 1920s route-finder that never took off
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Miniature scrolls bearing the directions were loaded onto the watch and revolved as the wearer continued his journey.

The 1920s TomTom never took off - perhaps because there were too few motorists to buy them.

It is one of the labour and face-saving devices to go on display from a private collection of weird and wonderful gadgets from the past.

Maurice Collins, a retired businessman from Muswell Hill, London, has cherry-picked 50 must-have items from his collection of 1,400 historic gadgets to show off at the British Library Business and Intellectual Property Centre.

Mr Morris said his collection was a celebration of 'ingenious products that attempted to solve human difficulty'.

Other crazy Heath Robinson contraptions in the show include...

*BURGLAR ALARM

The clockwork mechanism on this 1870s burglar alarm was wound up and the upright lever set, before the device was placed at the foot of a door and a spike pushed into the floor. If an intruder tried to enter, the lever would be pushed down and set off the surprisingly loud and effective bell.

*PISTOL PURSE

Highwaymen were a real danger in the late 19th century and this cunning design might just have saved your honour, property and even life. A dainty weapon was concealed in a secret compartment of this seemingly normal ladies' purse. The barrel could hold only one bullet - so you had to make your shot count.

*ELECTRO MASSAGER

During the 1930s, body massage was not seen as a luxury or part of being pampered but was, correctly, regarded as important for maintaining healthy skin and good circulation. However this functional-looking dynamo massager appears neither pleasurable nor safety conscious, as it gave tiny electric shocks to the user.

*TOE SOCKS

These pre-shrunk 'To Sox' were designed to act as toe protectors. Produced during World War II, it was claimed that they could reduce hosiery costs by up to 80 per cent. They were designed to be worn over the big toes, to protect socks from wear.

*THE ENVELOPE SEALER

This invention, by Reynolds of Chicago, was a byword for gravitas and efficiency. When the lever is cranked, a roller forces an open envelope to undergo a dampening process, before a second roller presses it closed.