15 Everyday Products That Had Bizarre Origins
These 15 everyday products started out with unusual or unexpected uses before becoming part of daily life.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Many common products we use today had strange or surprising beginnings. Some were created for entirely different purposes, and others were discovered by accident. Their original uses might seem odd now, but they eventually became practical and widely accepted.
1. Listerine
Jagwire on Wikimedia Commons
Listerine was first sold as a surgical antiseptic in the late 1800s. It was later marketed as a floor cleaner and a cure for dandruff. Only much later was it promoted as a mouthwash to fight bad breath. Its shift in purpose made it one of the most recognized oral care products today.
2. Coca-Cola
M0tty on Wikimedia Commons
Coca-Cola was originally created as a medicinal drink by a pharmacist. The early formula included coca leaf extract, which contained cocaine. It was sold as a remedy for headaches and fatigue. Eventually, it was reformulated and sold as a soft drink.
3. Play-Doh
Betsy Weber on Wikimedia Commons
Play-Doh began as a wallpaper cleaner used to remove soot in the 1930s. When homes began switching to cleaner heating systems, sales dropped. It was later rebranded as a modeling compound for children. That shift helped it become a popular toy worldwide.
4. Bubble Wrap
Moja on Wikimedia Commons
Bubble wrap was first invented as textured wallpaper. The idea didn’t catch on, so the creators looked for other uses. It eventually became a packing material to protect fragile items. Today, it’s used in shipping and even for stress relief.
5. Vaseline
Unilever on Wikimedia Commons
Vaseline was first discovered by workers cleaning out oil rigs. They noticed a jelly-like substance forming on machinery that helped heal minor cuts and burns. A chemist refined it and began selling it as a skin protectant. It became a staple in homes and hospitals.
6. Corn Flakes
Tom Ipri on Wikimedia Commons
Corn Flakes were developed by accident when two brothers left boiled wheat out overnight. The mixture dried and flaked, and they baked it into a new kind of cereal. Originally, it was part of a bland diet promoted by one of the brothers for health and moral reasons. It later became a breakfast staple.
7. Super Glue
Omegatron on Wikimedia Commons
Super Glue was first tested during World War II as a material for making clear plastic gun sights. It was rejected because it stuck to everything. Years later, it was marketed as a quick-bond adhesive for household use. It turned into one of the strongest consumer glues available.
8. Kleenex
Kleenex on Wikimedia Commons
Kleenex was invented as a disposable filter for gas masks in World War I. After the war, it was repurposed as a makeup remover. Eventually, it was marketed as a disposable tissue for colds and sneezes. It became the go-to brand for facial tissues.
9. WD-40
Jacek Halicki on Wikimedia Commons
WD-40 was created as a rust-prevention spray for use on missiles and aerospace parts. Its name stands for “Water Displacement, 40th formula.” It worked so well that workers started using it at home. It was later packaged for public use and became a common household item.
10. Tea Bags
André Karwath on Wikimedia Commons
Tea bags were first made by accident when a tea merchant sent samples in small silk pouches. Customers assumed the entire pouch should be placed in hot water. The idea caught on, and tea bags became a standard way to brew tea. Today, they are more popular than loose-leaf tea in many places.
11. Slinky
Ramona Trusheim on Wikimedia Commons
The Slinky was created by an engineer testing springs for use in naval equipment. One spring fell off a shelf and walked down in a unique motion. It became a toy when the inventor’s wife saw its potential. It turned into a best-selling classic.
12. Treadmill
Larry D. Moore on Wikimedia Commons
The treadmill was first used as a punishment tool in 19th-century British prisons. Prisoners would walk for hours on rotating steps to grind grain. It later became a medical device and eventually turned into exercise equipment. Today, it’s found in gyms and homes around the world.
13. Botox
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wikimedia Commons
Botox started as a treatment for muscle spasms and eye disorders. During treatments, doctors noticed that it also smoothed wrinkles. It was then approved for cosmetic use to reduce signs of aging. Now, it’s one of the most popular aesthetic treatments worldwide.
14. Microwave Oven
Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons
The microwave oven was invented after a scientist noticed a candy bar melting in his pocket near radar equipment. He realized the microwaves were heating the food. This led to the development of a kitchen appliance using the same technology. It changed how people cook and reheat food.
15. Post-it Notes
UndueMarmot on Wikimedia Commons
Post-it Notes were the result of a failed attempt to make a super-strong adhesive. Instead, the result was a glue that stuck lightly and could be removed without damage. A colleague found it useful for bookmarking pages in a hymn book. That led to the launch of one of the most well-known office supplies.