# My Awesome Invention Idea **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 15, 2011, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464 "2011-04-15T09:07:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464/21 "2011-09-20T18:10:59Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > I’ve never seen a movie theatre with paid parking, unless the parking was just street/municipal parking. Some theatres are in malls or shopping centers that charge for parking. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464/22 "2011-09-20T18:19:04Z")
I’m not sure if I know exactly what you are envisioning, but if it’s a standup mower, it’s been done before. I saw a guy mowing the streets in Sugar Land, TX a few weeks ago, and he was standing upright, riding along with his mower. Looked pretty nifty to me. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464/23 "2011-09-20T19:26:31Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Some theatres are in malls or shopping centers that charge for parking. I’ll take your word for it. I honestly have never seen it; don’t know why. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![TXCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/76d3ee/32.png) [@TXCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TXCowboy)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464/24 "2011-09-21T20:59:28Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > This would never get insurance, but: > > You take a catapult or spring loaded cannon. You point it up a big hill of soft dirt. You calculate the passenger’s weight, the angle of attack, the loading on the catapult/cannon, factor in air resistance – and shoot the guy way up in the air so that **just as** he reaches the apogee of his parabolic course, he drops onto soft loam, grass, whatever with effectively zero velocity/impact. Look ma, I’m flying! Wasn’t there something like this done in a movie? Maybe on the TV show “The Fallguy”? They needed to get on top of a building or something and used an air catapult. Did all the calculations and shot the guy up in the air towards the building in a steep arc. Right as he reached the peak of the curve he was over the top of the building and dropped a couple of feet and just stepped down on the roof. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464/25 "2011-09-21T21:13:26Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > Seems kind of dangerous. Hitting the wrong preset -say 65 in a 30 zone - could cause some serious accidents and problems. No more dangerous than the “resume” button is today, which can have exactly the same problem. Cruise control works slowly enough that there’s plenty of time to disengage it in case of error. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464/26 "2011-09-21T22:11:50Z")
Good point. I suppose it might come down to how it’s programmed. Thing is, having more buttons on a steering wheel or dash, or having a driver have to focus on a screen to select a preset could lead to more problems with distraction or incorrect selection. “Resume” still requires the active choice of the speed in the first place. I don’t know; perhaps it’s worth looking into more. I do tend to zero in on the unsafe factors of something, but there may be a way to deal with those. I don’t even have cruise control on my car (my car doesn’t even have a _clock_!)! ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464/27 "2011-09-21T22:13:31Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Okay, here’s my awesome idea; > > I want an inflatable, kiddie pool sort of thing. It should hold about 18" of water, be just larger than a double bed, have two integrated backrest ish things, (facing each other, end to end), and not in some hideous Fisher Price colours, perhaps solid Navy blue, and pretty durable so I don’t have to worry where I set it. Maybe cupholders would be a nice touch, but no cheesy inflatable palm trees, thanks anyway. > > When it’s stinking hot and humid, and I can’t get to the beach, it’d be awesome. Not take long to set up, no pool maintenance, pumps, yada, yada, easy to tear down. Room for two adults to recline - perfect! I’m thinking I’d pay 30 - 50 $ for such an item. Oooo… I want one too! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464/28 "2011-09-22T01:49:51Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > I just thought of this incredible idea. > > You know how Segway has that Off-Road one now? How about an attachment that’s a Lawn Mower? I have a relatively small back [yard](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3935+se+lincoln+9721&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.59616,92.724609&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=3935+SE+Lincoln+St,+Portland,+Oregon+97214&ll=45.508287,-122.621917&spn=0.000389,0.000707&t=h&z=21), and I think that would be perfect for it. Play Devil’s Advocate and tell me why that wouldn’t work. I can’t think of a reason. > > Add your own awesome ideas while you’re at it. I think it would have a pretty good chance of ruining part of your lawn if you use it very often. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-awesome-invention-idea/578464.md?page=1)