If you take a look around your home, you’ll notice numerous incredible inventions that have made our lives easier. You’re currently reading this article.
However, not all inventions are well-thought-out and useful. Some don’t serve their purpose well, while others are as effective as a yarn submarine. Some are created with good intentions, while others are made to fill a non-existent niche in hopes of making some money.
parachute coat
Franz Reichert was a tailor, but he was inspired to design a suit for pilots that could double as a parachute in the early days of manned flight. After testing his design with a dummy, he believed it worked and decided to test it by jumping from the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1912.
Unfortunately, Franz’s design failed, and he tragically fell to his death. However, his pioneering spirit led to the development of wingsuits for BASE jumping, as well as parachutes and ejection seats for pilots.
coffee pod
Coffee pods, invented by John Sylvan, initially seemed like a great idea but turned out to be incredibly wasteful. Even Sylvan, the inventor, regrets creating them during his time at Keurig Green Mountain.
Research shows that coffee pods have a significant global environmental impact, with specialized recycling companies being the only option for recycling them. If left in landfills, it takes 500 years for them to decompose.
Sinclair C5 Electric Tricycle
The Sinclair C5, an electric three-wheeler, was launched by Sir Clive Sinclair and was ahead of its time. Despite being legal for road use, its short battery life, low speed, and safety concerns led to poor reviews and sales.
With advancements in battery technology, the Sinclair C5 could have been more successful if released today.
pop up ads
Pop-up ads, originally intended to help internet users, have become synonymous with a poor browsing experience. Ethan Zuckerman, the inventor, has apologized for creating them as they became incredibly annoying.
hydrogen airship
Before jet planes, airships like the Zeppelin Company’s were a popular means of long-distance travel. However, the use of highly explosive hydrogen gas led to frequent accidents, culminating in the Hindenburg disaster in 1937.
Modern airship companies now use helium instead of hydrogen for safer and more environmentally friendly travel.
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sega dreamcast
SEGA’s Dreamcast, while innovative with online gameplay, failed due to a lack of third-party titles and competition from Sony’s PlayStation 2.
Other failed consoles, like Apple’s Pippin, also faced challenges in the market.
chewing gum
Chewing gum, a popular modern product, contains polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic that contributes to environmental pollution. However, plastic-free alternatives are now emerging.
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betamax video
Sony’s Betamax system had superior image quality compared to VHS but failed due to the adoption of VHS by the adult film industry and high costs.
vinyl carry bag
Plastic bags, originally intended for repeated use, have contributed to plastic pollution. However, biodegradable alternatives are now being introduced.
apple newton
Apple’s Newton tablet, aimed at modernizing note-taking, failed due to high costs and poor handwriting recognition.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
