# Outlandish Dual-Purpose Objects Patrick Strattner’s Prototype Gadgets are Strangely Useful By Thomas Wade-West | Published 2013-09-25 | Updated 2013-11-03 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patrick-strattner References: [junk-culture](http://www.junk-culture.com/2013/09/brilliantly-absurd-inventions-by.html) & [behance.net](http://www.behance.net/gallery/Prototypes/5985565) The ‘Prototype’ collection by Patrick Strattner is inspired by an in-flight publication called SkyMall which showed images of absurd products. This series is a set of [bizarre devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soom) that may strangely seem useful to some. The ‘Prototypes’ series explores the idea of consumerism through invention, to explore the extent to which an individual may need or want something as bizarre as a ‘three-wheeled foot propelled bristle sweeper.’ The collection also includes an automatic upper and lower (full mouth) toothbrush, nighttime shades with automatic dimming headlights and a battery operated back hair shaving and grooming kit. These products are certainly unique but perhaps prototypes for real goods in the future. Check out a full gallery of Patrick Strattner’s ‘Prototype’ collection on his website. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 98% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/humor) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Inventive Consumerism:** Exploring the extent to which individuals may need or want unusual and outlandish products, opening the door for unique consumer goods in the future. - **Bizarre Device Innovation:** Creating and prototyping strange yet strangely useful gadgets that challenge traditional product design and push the boundaries of functionality. - **Disruptive Prototypes:** Developing and showcasing unconventional prototypes that have the potential to disrupt established markets and redefine consumer expectations. ### Where This Applies - **Product Design:** Opportunity for product designers to explore unconventional designs and push the boundaries of traditional consumer goods, enabling the creation of unique and innovative products that stand out in the market. - **Consumer Electronics:** Potential for the introduction of strange, yet useful gadgets that challenge the norms of consumer electronics, providing new and unconventional solutions to everyday problems. - **Personal Care and Grooming:** Room for disruptive innovation in personal care and grooming products, with the advent of prototypes that offer unconventional features and functionalities, catering to unique consumer needs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Futuristic Imaginative Design Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecollection.md) - [Daily Ritual Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/routines-collection.md) - [AI-Generated Retrofuturistic Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retrofuturistic-objects.md) - [Tech-Infused Furniture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wits-furniture-collection.md) - [Unexpected Boundary-Pushing Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atypical-chair.md) - [Modular Handheld Home Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/circulab.md) - [Steampunk Desktop Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3in1-desk.md) - [Surrealist-Inspired Tea Pots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tea-for-two-collection.md) - [Ultra-Simple Multifunctional Furniture Pieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chairpf.md)