In this category are included non-architectural designs: the Dymaxion Car, Dymaxion Bathroom, and Fog Gun.
In 1901 Fuller came up with his first invention, at the age of 6. Playing with dried peas and toothpicks at kindergarten he constructed the structure later known as the tetrahedronal octet truss, a common sight today.
Fuller's family paid regular summer visits to an island off the coast of Maine, and his childhood experience with rowing boats led to his invention of what he called the mechanical jellyfish.
At the end of World War 1, he joined the US Naval Reserve, and invented a life-saving rescue crane with which to hoist crashed sea-planes out of the water. Fuller's later inventions are listed above.
Also relevant are Patents, Obnoxico, and the concept of Mechanical Extensions.
Drawings for most of these designs can be seen in the book Inventions.
© Paul Taylor 2001