The bit about the search light reminds me rather of the 'Plib,' a magnificent design pattented by one E. L. Wisty. The idea was for a pill that would cure any disease, virus or ailment instantly. Unfortunatly when asked how it would work he said that it was just in the ideas stage but he was sure that he could work out the minor detail later. I believe the pattent clerk then showed him a new invention, a sponge on a stick, known as a 'nit poker.'
I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time. Then again what nation was it that spent millions of dollars developing a pen that would write in zero gravity? The rest of the world uses pencils
