# Lateral Thinking Puzzles. Let's do it again! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 23, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193 "2019-10-23T21:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 158
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3142 "2020-06-02T18:22:57Z")
**Pete was a bit of an odd kind of guy. An inventor and tinkerer. He eventually designed something that was initially seen as ludicrous and dangerous, but was later viewed as brilliant. What did he design?** ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3143 "2020-06-02T18:49:12Z")
Is “Pete” the name the inventor was widely known as? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3144 "2020-06-02T19:12:14Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Is “Pete” the name the inventor was widely known as? NO ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3145 "2020-06-02T19:53:53Z")
When was this invention first created? 1700s, 1800s, 1900s, 2000s? Earlier than 1700? Was the invention actually ludicrous and dangerous as he first designed it? Did the invention involve the transport of people? Information? Goods? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3146 "2020-06-02T21:31:27Z")
Was it some kind of vehicle? Was it to do with aviation? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3147 "2020-06-02T22:13:42Z")
Is the invention still widely used today? Is the invention something that would be operated by a typical member of the general public? Is electricity fundamental to the operation of the invention? Is electricity typically used in the invention? Is the invention something that a typical handiman with a home workshop could be expected to be able to make? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3148 "2020-06-02T22:21:39Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > When was this invention first created? 1700s, 1800s, 1900s, 2000s? Earlier than 1700? > > **1859**. I should really just put the year in the puzzles at this point to avoid guessing. No fair googling! > > Was the invention actually ludicrous and dangerous as he first designed it? > > \*\*NO \*\*- my opinion, anyway. > > Did the invention involve the transport of people? > > YES and NO. Related in a way, but not enough to say “yes”. > > Information? Goods? > > NO > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Was it some kind of vehicle? > Was it to do with aviation? NO > [@Chronos](#): > > Is the invention still widely used today? > > YES - changed and modified, obviously. But yes. > > Is the invention something that would be operated by a typical member of the general public? > > NO > > Is electricity fundamental to the operation of the invention? > > NO, but today it would have electricity sort of involved. Not in 1859. > > Is electricity typically used in the invention? > > NO, not in 1859. Now it has electricity sort of involved. > > Is the invention something that a typical handiman with a home workshop could be expected to be able to make? > > NO OK, so this is hard to answer and my answers may appear to contradict, but you’ll see why later. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3149 "2020-06-02T22:42:47Z")
Is the invention used in the manufacture of some product? Does the invention, in its original form, make use of chemical reactions in the normal course of its operation? How about in its modern form? Does the invention (or part of it) in the course of its normal operation get hot enough to cause burns? Does the invention in the course of its normal operation exert forces or pressures sufficiently great to break bones? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3150 "2020-06-02T22:42:49Z")
Is the invention used in the manufacture of some product? Does the invention, in its original form, make use of chemical reactions in the normal course of its operation? How about in its modern form? Does the invention (or part of it) in the course of its normal operation get hot enough to cause burns? Does the invention in the course of its normal operation exert forces or pressures sufficiently great to break bones? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3151 "2020-06-03T00:49:48Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Is the invention used in the manufacture of some product? > > NO > > Does the invention, in its original form, make use of chemical reactions in the normal course of its operation? > > NO > > How about in its modern form? > > NO > > Does the invention (or part of it) in the course of its normal operation get hot enough to cause burns? > > NO > > Does the invention in the course of its normal operation exert forces or pressures sufficiently great to break bones? > > NO Note: I said he \*designed \*something, not \*invented \*something. I feel like that is a relevant difference here. Might I suggest saying “Did the thing he designed…blah blah blah?” It might help to think of this that way. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3152 "2020-06-03T10:17:45Z")
Was the thing he designed “powered”, either by an external/internal power source or human/animal action? Was it designed to be “set up” and then used (like a tent) or was it actively used (like an eggbeater)? Is the item something used by human travelers? Would modern day people immediately recognize the item and know how to use it? ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3153 "2020-06-03T10:26:54Z")
Is the invention a: -Mechanical device? -Some sort of tool? -something artistic? -Instructions to create something (ie. food recipes)? -A concept or idea? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3154 "2020-06-03T10:56:25Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Was the thing he designed “powered”, either by an external/internal power source or human/animal action? > > NO > > Was it designed to be “set up” and then used (like a tent) or was it actively used (like an eggbeater)? > > More like “set up and then used”, but not exactly. But I think “set up and used” is reasonable. > > Is the item something used by human travelers? > > YES > > Would modern day people immediately recognize the item and know how to use it? > > YES > [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Is the invention a: > -Mechanical device? > -Some sort of tool? > -something artistic? > -Instructions to create something (ie. food recipes)? > -A concept or idea? NO to all. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3155 "2020-06-03T11:14:12Z")
Is the invention related to nutrition in any way? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3156 "2020-06-03T11:30:48Z")
Does the modern version typically use electricity in some way? Does the device improve the experience of travel, by making it more comfortable or convenient? ETA, is the device often used by non-travelers as well? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3157 "2020-06-03T12:38:40Z")
The thing he designed was at the time considered dangerous. Could it, in actuality, plausibly kill a person? Could it plausibly permanently maim a person? Could it plausibly physically injure a person? Did people at the time believe that it could plausibly kill/maim/physically injure a person? Was the danger it posed (or was believed to pose) moral? Was the danger it posed (or was believed to pose) sociological? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3158 "2020-06-03T13:41:30Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Does the modern version typically use electricity in some way? > > YES. > > Does the device improve the experience of travel, by making it more comfortable or convenient? > > YES > > ETA, is the device often used by non-travelers as well? > > NO > [@Chronos](#): > > The thing he designed was at the time considered dangerous. Could it, in actuality, plausibly kill a person? > > YES > > Could it plausibly permanently maim a person? > > YES > > Could it plausibly physically injure a person? > > YES > > Did people at the time believe that it could plausibly kill/maim/physically injure a person? > > YES > > Was the danger it posed (or was believed to pose) moral? > > NO - just physical danger > > Was the danger it posed (or was believed to pose) sociological? > > NO - just physical danger kk ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3159 "2020-06-03T13:45:46Z")
Is what he designed some sort of system for controlling or regulating vehicle traffic? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3160 "2020-06-03T14:46:40Z")
Is it an escalator? Legend has it that people thought early escalators were dangerous, so one London station employed a one-legged man to ride up and down all day to demonstrate the safety. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3161 "2020-06-03T14:57:14Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Is what he designed some sort of system for controlling or regulating vehicle traffic? YES (kind of) > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Is it an escalator? > > Legend has it that people thought early escalators were dangerous, so one London station employed a one-legged man to ride up and down all day to demonstrate the safety. I heard about that too. However: NO [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=157) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=159)