While most of us remember Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon, not a lot of people remember the second man. As a society made up of people who worship winners, be it with inventions or discoveries, we always celebrate the people who come in first. Despite remembering the first man who invented the telephone, or the man who discovered electricity, we seem to conveniently forget the people who failed with their products. To make your weekend entertainingly educative, we give you a list of inventions which failed to take off the right way!
1. Radioactive health products
Back in the day, when Radium was first discovered, the side effects weren’t as widely known as they are today. This particular element was considered to be a magic drug, a miracle of sorts. From healthcare products to medicines, everything was made better with Radium. In fact, drug companies went so far as to say that Radium would increase even your libido! People first started questioning this “Super Medicine” when a man used the Thor Radium powder to increase his sexual prowess. He ended up drinking not one, not two, but 1,400 bottles of the stuff. What was the drastic side effect, you ask? His jaw falling off! This was when people realised the radioactive stuff was actually more dangerous than positive for you! Oops.
2. Portable record players
Back when radio players were the deal of the century, a lot of companies tried making them portable. Which means they tried producing record players which could be used on the go. If you have ever used a record player, then you have probably already guessed the problem! Record players are fragile. You have to make sure they are kept at a steady level and not in a position where they can be knocked over. Despite record players being on a rise again, this invention is probably never going to see the light of the day. Boo.
3. Scent enhanced movies
Hans Laube, the inventor of Smell O Vision, wanted to create a new method which let theatre goers experience interesting smells while watching a movie. When it was launched in the New York, Chicago and Los Angles cinema halls in the year 1960, Laube thought this method would be used worldwide. However, it wasn’t meant to be. The scent was accompanied by a strange and ominous hissing sound as well. Furthermore, a lot of people complained saying the movie sounds and the smells were completely out of sync. Along with a similar innovation called AromaRama, Smell O Vision was swiftly abandoned and consigned to the scrap heap of history.
4. Car boats/boat cars
Boat cars, where first invented back in the 1770’s and where widely used during the Second World War. However, soon after the war ended, they were set aside for recreation. The car boats are now primarily used for water sports and as collector’s items!
5. Palm pilots
Palm pilots were the first gadgets which actually fitted in the palm of our hands. When they initially came out, they sold a million pieces in the formative year. Therefore, one would think to call this particular invention a failure, would not be fair. However, when Microsoft rescued Apple with a $ 150 million investment, the iPods and iPhones of the world took over, making the palm pilots obsolete!
With every great invention being recognised and revisited, we thought it was only fair the not so greats were remembered with respect as well! if you happen to remember who the second man on the Moon was, or who the first or second Indian cosmonaut was, then comment and let us know!
