Only in Japan: Ingenious Inventions that Defy Imagination

15. The Book-Shaped Cushion

What it is: a dictionary-shaped cushion that allows you to pretend to study as you sleep. Created: Unknown 52* is the average price. This cushion initially resembles a dictionary, despite the word "workaholic" being printed on the binding. The Dictionary Desk Pillow is not so much a study aid as it is a snooze booster. The "book," which is composed of paper, polyester, and polyurethane, unfolds to reveal a desk pillow that measures 11.8" by 8.3". Unfortunately, it hasn't yet been added to Bed Bath & Beyond's shelves.

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Book-Shaped Pillow: @Twitter.com/Allinventions The book pillow weighs slightly more than a pound and is almost four inches thick. Even though they work extremely hard, the Japanese are among the people who sleep the least in the world, according to a survey published in The Japan Times.