20 Failed Inventions That Were Surprisingly Popular

Throughout history, inventors have introduced products that captured attention but did not stand the test of time. Some were unsafe, others too expensive, and many simply unnecessary. These inventions show how quickly trends can rise and fall.

1. 1. The Segway

When it was released in 2001, the Segway was expected to change personal transportation. It became a media sensation and was praised as futuristic. Despite the attention, it was too expensive and impractical for most people. Production officially ended in 2020.

2. 2. Google Glass

Google launched its smart glasses in 2013 with high expectations. The device gained attention for its hands-free technology. However, privacy concerns, a high price, and limited use led to poor sales. Google discontinued it for consumers in 2015.

3. 3. Betamax

Sony’s Betamax tapes were popular in the 1970s for home video recording. They offered better quality than VHS. Still, they lost the format war due to shorter recording times and higher costs. VHS dominated the market until DVDs replaced it.

4. 4. LaserDisc

LaserDiscs were introduced in the late 1970s as a way to watch movies with high-quality video. They became popular with collectors and enthusiasts. But the discs were large, expensive, and lacked recording ability. They eventually disappeared when DVDs became affordable.

5. 5. New Coke

In 1985, Coca-Cola released a new formula to compete with Pepsi. The drink initially sold well due to curiosity. Public backlash soon followed, with many demanding the original recipe. Coca-Cola brought back “Coca-Cola Classic” within months.

6. 6. The CueCat Scanner

In the early 2000s, millions of CueCat barcode scanners were distributed for free. They allowed people to scan barcodes from magazines to access websites. The idea gained attention, but users found it unnecessary. It quickly became one of the most famous tech failures.

7. 7. HD DVD

Toshiba released HD DVD as a competitor to Blu-ray in the mid-2000s. Several major studios supported it, and early adopters bought in. Blu-ray eventually won because of its greater storage capacity and wider support. Toshiba abandoned HD DVD in 2008.

8. 8. Clippy the Assistant

Microsoft introduced Clippy, an animated paperclip assistant, in the 1990s. It was designed to help users with Word and Office programs. At first, it was well-known and widely used. Over time, people found it more annoying than useful, and Microsoft removed it in 2001.

9. 9. Netbooks

Small, affordable laptops called netbooks became popular around 2007. They were praised for their portability and low cost. However, they were slow, had poor performance, and could not compete with tablets. By the mid-2010s, netbooks were gone from the market.

10. 10. The Ford Edsel

Ford introduced the Edsel in 1957 with huge publicity. Many people visited showrooms out of curiosity, and sales started strong. But the car was overpriced, unattractive to buyers, and poorly timed for the market. Production ended in just three years.

11. 11. Minidiscs

Sony launched Minidiscs in the 1990s as a replacement for CDs. They were small, portable, and rewritable, gaining a fan base in Japan and Europe. The format, however, was expensive and overshadowed by MP3 players. It officially ended in 2013.

12. 12. Pet Rocks

In 1975, smooth stones packaged as “pets” became a worldwide fad. Millions were sold in a short time. People quickly lost interest, as the product had no real purpose. The craze ended within months, but it remains a famous example of novelty marketing.

13. 13. Nokia N-Gage

Released in 2003, the Nokia N-Gage was a phone and handheld gaming console combined. It gained attention for its unusual design and portable games. The device was uncomfortable to use and lacked popular titles. Sales were weak, and it was discontinued in 2005.

14. 14. Microsoft Zune

Microsoft introduced the Zune in 2006 as a competitor to the iPod. It offered music playback, video, and wireless sharing. Despite initial excitement, it never reached wide popularity. Microsoft ended Zune production in 2011.

15. 15. Crystal Pepsi

Pepsi released a clear soda in the early 1990s as part of a “clean” product trend. The drink attracted attention for its unusual look and taste. It sold well at first but soon declined as people returned to regular Pepsi. It was discontinued after just a few years.

16. 16. Pagers

Before cell phones became common, pagers were used by millions of people in the 1980s and 1990s. They were popular with workers, students, and even doctors. But once mobile phones became affordable, pagers lost their place in daily life. Today, they survive only in limited fields like hospitals.

17. 17. Virtual Boy

Nintendo released the Virtual Boy in 1995 as its first 3D gaming console. The design was eye-catching and unique. However, the graphics were poor, the device caused eye strain, and it lacked strong games. It was discontinued within a year.

18. 18. Beanie Babies

These stuffed animals became hugely popular in the 1990s as collectibles. Millions of people bought them, hoping they would increase in value. For a short time, some rare ones sold for high prices. The bubble burst quickly, and today, they are worth very little.

19. 19. Hoverboards

Self-balancing scooters, often called hoverboards, became a worldwide trend in 2015. Celebrities and influencers promoted them heavily. But they were linked to safety issues, fires, and poor battery design. Their popularity faded within a few years.

20. 20. Cabbage Patch Kids

These dolls became a massive craze in the 1980s, with parents rushing to stores to buy them. For several years, they were among the most popular toys in the world. Quality issues and market oversaturation reduced demand. The dolls still exist but never returned to their peak fame.

• Tags:
• failed inventions
• product history
• tech flops
• popular inventions