In 1965, Someone actually tried to Reinvent Childbirth with a Spinning Machine, and Yes, It was Exactly as Wild as It Sounds.

When it comes to unusual inventions, this one definitely takes the crown. In 1965, a patent was filed for a device that aimed to assist childbirth using centrifugal force. The idea? Strap a pregnant woman into a rotating table, spin her at high speed, and let physics help deliver the baby. A net was conveniently placed to catch the newborn once delivered.

The inventor believed that since labour is physically demanding and sometimes prolonged, adding centrifugal force would “assist the natural expulsive efforts of the mother.” The rotating table would simulate an increased downward force, theoretically speeding up delivery.

To be fair, childbirth has always pushed human innovation, from midwife practices to modern epidurals, but this machine walked the fine line between creative and absurd. Although patented, it never made it into real-world medical use. Understandably, the thought of spinning a woman in labour at speeds up to 7Gs was met with more disbelief than enthusiasm by medical professionals.

Besides the obvious safety concerns for both mother and child, the logistics were questionable. Maintaining consciousness, avoiding trauma, and actually catching the baby safely in a net were all serious red flags. Still, it’s a fascinating example of how far inventors are willing to go in pursuit of solving human challenges.

This peculiar patent now lives on in medical history as a symbol of both ingenuity and the bizarre paths innovation can take.

Fun Fact: The spinning birth machine was officially patented in the U.S. under Patent No. 3,216,423 and is still viewable in public records as a real concept, not just science fiction.

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