12 Inventions That Made Headlines Then Vanished

These are 12 inventions that once captured headlines and imaginations but quickly disappeared after failing to live up to their hype.

Alyana Aguja
October 28, 2025
4 min read

12 Inventions That Made Headlines Then Vanished — Alan Bowman from Unsplash

History is filled with inventions that made a splash when first introduced, only to vanish just as quickly. From futuristic transport like the Segway to wearable tech like Google Glass, these innovations promised revolutionary change but stumbled due to high costs, impracticality, or public rejection. Their stories serve as reminders that hype alone cannot guarantee long-term success.

1. 1. The Segway

When the Segway was unveiled in 2001, it was touted as a revolutionary transportation device that would change how cities function. Backed by bold predictions, it attracted global attention and was expected to replace walking for short commutes. Despite the hype, high costs, safety concerns, and limited practicality, it faded into obscurity.

2. 2. Google Glass

In 2013, Google Glass promised to usher in the future of wearable technology with augmented reality right before your eyes. Tech enthusiasts were excited by its hands-free connectivity, but the public grew wary of privacy issues, awkward design, and safety hazards. By 2015, Google halted sales and rebranded the project, leaving the device largely forgotten.

3. 3. Betamax

Sony’s Betamax, launched in 1975, was considered superior in quality to VHS tapes. For a while, it dominated headlines as the future of home entertainment. However, due to higher costs and shorter recording times, Betamax lost the format war to VHS and quickly disappeared from households.

4. 4. LaserDisc

Introduced in the late 1970s, LaserDisc was the first optical disc storage medium, boasting higher video quality than VHS. It created excitement among film enthusiasts but was bulky, expensive, and incompatible with recording. Ultimately, the format never gained mass appeal and was eclipsed by DVDs in the 1990s.

5. 5. The Concorde

The Concorde, launched in the 1970s, promised supersonic passenger flights and became a symbol of futuristic luxury travel. Despite its groundbreaking speed, it was costly to operate, environmentally damaging, and noisy enough to limit its routes. The final flight took place in 2003, marking the end of supersonic passenger jets.

6. 6. Apple Newton

Apple’s Newton, released in 1993, was one of the first personal digital assistants with handwriting recognition. It drew attention for being futuristic, but it was bulky, error-prone, and far too expensive for everyday users. By 1998, Apple discontinued it, paving the way for more successful handheld devices like the iPhone years later.

7. 7. SegTrek Human Transporter (IT)

Before the Segway had its official name, it was mysteriously teased as “IT” or “Ginger,” with tech moguls suggesting it would be bigger than the internet. The secrecy generated huge headlines and speculation. When revealed as the Segway, disappointment set in, and the hype collapsed almost overnight.

8. 8. The Dynasphere

Invented in the 1930s, the Dynasphere was a giant single-wheeled vehicle designed to transport people in a futuristic style. It drew crowds during demonstrations, as riders appeared to be trapped inside a rolling wheel. However, stability and safety issues meant it never progressed beyond novelty exhibitions.

9. 9. CueCat

The CueCat, introduced in 1999, was a barcode scanner intended for consumers to scan codes in magazines and be instantly directed to websites. Media outlets promoted it heavily, but people found it clunky and unnecessary. Its failure was swift, becoming a punchline of dot-com era excess.

10. 10. Nintendo Virtual Boy

Released in 1995, the Nintendo Virtual Boy was marketed as a leap into 3D gaming. It generated buzz for its promise of immersive graphics but delivered only red-tinted visuals, discomfort, and headaches. The console was discontinued within a year, making it one of Nintendo’s rare failures.

11. 11. Sony MiniDisc

Launched in 1992, the Sony MiniDisc combined digital quality sound with rewritable storage. It was marketed as the next step after cassette tapes, but CDs and later MP3 players quickly overtook it. Although it gained niche popularity in Japan, it never achieved global dominance.

12. 12. Hypercolor Clothing

Hypercolor shirts in the early 1990s changed color with body heat, creating a fashion craze among teenagers. The shirts were advertised as fun and futuristic, but they lost their effect after a few washes and reacted awkwardly to sweat. By the mid-1990s, the fad had vanished from wardrobes.