10 Quirky Travel Innovations That Changed the Way We Move

Remember the summer the Spice Girls ruled the radio? Or when Bake Off finales brought the whole nation to a standstill? Now imagine pairing those moments with the coolest, weirdest ways we've ever moved from A to B. 

At Rarewaves, we're all about the stuff that stands out. Cult gadgets, collector vibes, clever ideas. So we got thinking… what are the most brilliantly bonkers travel inventions ever? The ones that make you go: "Wait, is that a suitcase… you can ride?" 

This isn't just a list of transport ideas. It's a journey through time. A mashup of pop culture and pedal power. From jetpacks to monowheels, every innovation on this list launched the same year as a moment you probably still remember: that TV show, that toy craze, that song you had on repeat. Travel's never been just about getting there. It's about how you get there (and how "cool" you look doing it). 

So buckle up, dig out your old Top of the Pops CD, and take a ride through the 10 quirkiest travel solutions of all time. 

1. Folding Aluminium Scooter (1996)

1996 Swiss inventor Wim Ouboter launched the first two-wheeled folding aluminium scooter. What started as a solution for his short snack-bar commute became a global movement. Sleek, foldable and fun - it made scooting cool again. 

Top Single: "Killing Me Softly" – The Fugees 

Most-Watched TV: Only Fools and Horses Christmas Special (24.35m viewers) 

Kids' Craze: Buzz Lightyear toys (thanks to Toy Story) 

2. Rideable Suitcase Scooters (2014) 

Dragging your bags? So last decade. The Micro Scooters Scooter Suitcase, launched in 2014, lets you scoot your luggage through airports and then store it in the overhead locker when on the plane (in your face, Ryanair). 

Top Single: "Happy" – Pharrell Williams 

Most-Watched TV: FIFA World Cup Final: Germany v Argentina (14.92m) 

Kids' Craze: Loom band bracelets (hands up if you still find them stuck down the back of the sofa today). 

 3. Hoverboards (2015) 

Hoverboards exploded (sometimes literally) in 2015. Self-balancing and weirdly addictive, they were a must-have for teens, YouTubers and anyone dreaming of a Back to the Future moment. 

Top Single: "Uptown Funk" – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars 

Most-Watched TV: The Great British Bake Off Final (15m) 

Kids' Craze: Minions everything 

4. Jetpacks (1961)

1961 gave us the first real jetpack flight. Short, dramatic and seriously cool, it looked like something Bond would use to dodge traffic. It didn't exactly take off commercially, but it fired up imaginations worldwide. 

Top Single: "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" – Elvis Presley 

Most-Watched TV: Royal Variety Show 

Kids' Craze: Barbie meets Ken 

5. Amphibious Bicycles (1932)

The Cyclomer rolled out in 1932. It was a bike that doubled as a boat. Ambitious? Yes. Practical? Not really. But as far as weird transport ideas go, it paved the way. 

Top Song: "In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town" – Ted Lewis 

TV: No regular broadcasts yet 

Kids' Craze: Yo-yos 

6. Flying Cars (1947)

In 1947, the Convair Model 118 flew (briefly). One part sedan, one part aircraft, it was a literal car plane. The future looked airborne. Sadly, the project crashed. 

Top Song: "Near You" – The Andrews Sisters 

TV: TV still niche — radio ruled 

Kids' Craze: Model aircraft 

7. Monowheels (1869) 

A one-wheeled vehicle with the rider inside sounds like a cartoon, but someone really built it in 1869. It wasn't fast or safe, but it was unforgettable. 

Popular Music: Sheet music ruled 

TV: Not invented 

Kids' Craze: Marbles and hoop-rolling (we are guessing) 

8. Segways (2001) 

The Segway promised to change cities forever. While it didn't quite take over pavements, it did give us city tours, mall cops, a cult fan base and twats using them on the golf course. 

Top Single: "It Wasn't Me" – Shaggy 

Most-Watched TV: EastEnders Christmas Special 

Kids' Craze: Bratz dolls 

9. Motorised Unicycles (2013) 

Like a Segway but even less stable, the motorised unicycle was equal parts genius and chaos. It was compact, tricky, and definitely a talking point. 

Top Single: "Blurred Lines" – Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell 

Most-Watched TV: Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special 

Kids' Craze: Rainbow Loom 

10. Electric Skateboards (2015) 

Why push when you can power? Electric skateboards added a jolt to the longboard scene, perfect for city cruising with extra zip. 

Top Single: "Uptown Funk" (again)

Most-Watched TV: Yep, still Bake Off 

Kids' Craze: Shopkins 

Embrace the Ride 

From Bond gadgets to airport oddities, these inventions show that travel's always been about more than getting from A to B. It's about doing it with flair. And at Rarewaves, that's precisely our vibe. 

Words by Micro Scooters

Micro was created to make everyday journeys better. Better for today’s families. Better for our world.