Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2019/12/27/patent-for-a-toy-turtle-operat.html
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The flies are in turn operated by turtles.
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So kids, it looks like you’re engaging in play with a complex animal… but you’re actually torturing a much simpler animal!
What does it say about me that I would be less bothered if this involved a disembodied fly brain directing the actions of robotic limbs? (a ‘ghost in the turtle shell’, if you will)
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A reminder that even crazy people can get their patents approved. I have to wonder what percentage of granted patents are actually fraudulent or just plain nuts.
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As a kid, I had a pig with wiggling ears and tail. I pulled out the nose and a fly came out.
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Fred Flintstone’s bee-powered shaver.
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Flies do operate on dead turtles.
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Actually, this toy was made to support Williams’ fly ranch.
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Hey, any patent that isn’t for software is a win in my book.
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There’s a more recent patent (1988!) for a toy powered by Mexican Jumping Beans:
It’s turtles all the way down!
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