• About InventHelp
• Invention Services
• Invention Resources
• Marketers & Manufacturers
• Media Outlets
• Contact Us

What's the Most Annoying Invention of All Time?

It's a scenario that plays out in pubs and bars all over the country and around the world. You sit down at a table just in time to hear the local wannabe (albeit tone deaf) pop star step up to the microphone and blare out the lyrics to "I Will Always Love You." That could be why the karaoke machine has been named the most annoying invention of all time by U.K. newspaper The Telegraph.

Almost a quarter of the survey's respondents put the karaoke machine at the top of the list. Other inventions that made the list include the alarm clock, mobile phone and 24-hour sports channels.

Karaoke, which means "empty orchestra", was invented by a Japanese musician in 1971. Inventor Inoue Daisuke created the karaoke machine by combining a car stereo, a coin box and an amplifier. He never patented his invention, a mistake that experts estimate cost him hundreds of millions of dollars.

Karaoke was wildly popular in Asia before it made its way stateside. For those unfamiliar with karaoke, the set-up is relatively simple. Amateur performers choose a popular song and then sing lyrics displayed on a video screen while the background music plays. Although at-home karaoke machines are available, it's a far more popular form of entertainment in nightclubs and bars.

Today's karaoke machines are equipped with advanced technology that helps to transform everyday singers into vocal phenomenons. Well, perhaps that's a bit of a stretch! But, these machines do help singers along by electronically changing the pitch of the music and choosing a key that is appropriate for the singer's vocal range, while maintaining the original tempo of the song.

One could argue that the Rock Band phenomenon is the latest version of karaoke. Rock Band allows players to perform in a virtual band by providing up to four players with the ability to play three different mock "instruments" (guitar, bass and drum) in addition to vocals. While it may be considered "annoying," it's so outrageously popular that you almost have to adopt this attitude: If you can't beat 'em, grab the mic and join 'em!

Of course, being called "annoying" isn't the worst insult for an inventor. Inventor Rob Law, who appeared on BBC's Dragon's Den with his range of children's suitcases, told The Telegraph he thinks the karaoke's poll placing is a compliment.

"Looking down the list of irritating gadgets, most are devices that have become extremely popular," he said. "If you've created a product that has become so popular that it's become annoying, then you're going to be put down as pretty great inventor."

Back to January 2009 Newsletter

Depiction of any trademarks and/or logos does not represent endorsement of InventHelp or its services by the owners.