Revered British author Douglas Adams (his name might seem familiar if you are a fan of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and, more recently, the (mis)adventures of Dirk Gently, set to return to BBC America this October) has credited Isaac Newton in one of his Dirk Gently books as one of the most inventive people in history for creating the… cat flap. He claimed that the thing about gravity is not creation but discovery – but it takes the mind of a genius to create something that didn’t exist before. While this attribution is based on anecdotal evidence at best, the idea behind it is still around today. Inventors all over the world are creating gadgets and devices that are sometimes peculiar at best, other times triggering the “shut up and take my money” reflex in those stumbling upon them. Much like these oddly awesome gadgets of 2017 that you didn’t know you wanted.

Dunking Buddy, the magnetic cookie dunker

How many times did you wet your fingers while trying to dunk your biscuits or cookies in a glass of milk? How many times did the cookie crumble and melt while dunking, leaving you with nothing but a small piece in your hand? All these issues will be gone from your life once you try Dunking Buddy, the magnetic cookie dunker.

The Dunking Buddy is a practical magnetic cookie holder that you can move up and down in your glass with the help of another magnet on its outside. Dunking Buddy is sure to make each and every time you dunk cookies in milk an easier, cleaner, and happier experience.

Wair, the stylish air filter in a scarf

Air pollution is a major issue in crowded urban areas, and nothing we do seems to be solving this problem in a satisfactory fashion. Until all the toxic fumes can be banished from our cities, we need an alternative solution to keep our lungs free of them. This is where Wair comes in.

Wair is the world’s first fashion accessory that protects its wearers from air pollution. It’s basically a mask with a triple air filter that keeps toxins, microbes, pollen, and gas from entering the wearer’s lungs, at the same time doubling as a fashionable neck scarf for men, women, and children. It also comes with an app, reminding its owners of the areas where the pollution is highest, so they can put the mask on whenever needed and protect themselves.

NakeFit stick-on soles

If you’ve ever been barefoot on the beach, you most likely experienced how unpleasant stepping on the hot sand can be – and how painful it can be to step on rocks, white-hot asphalt, and rocks. You could, of course, wear slippers… but the feeling of the sand that gets under them is comparable to the above. NakeFit is the solution to all these problems, and more.

NakeFit is an adhesive, heat-resistant, anti-slip insole-like product that you can use instead of slippers. It sticks to your sole and stays there for as long as 24 hours. It prevents cuts, burns, and other unpleasant issues, and it is perfect for use in the pool, on the beach, and even in spas.