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In 1876, Virgil A. Gates of Charleston West, Virginia, patented an invention he was sure was going to be a big success. What was it?

Answer: A moustache shield. It was a band held in place by straps around the ears, with the intention of stopping food from getting into a moustache during meals. Unsurprisingly, the invention never saw much success.

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office

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