10 Absolutely Useless Inventions That Somehow Made Millions
Some inventions are so absurd that they seem like pranks. And yet, their creators laughed all the way to the bank. Here’s a list of 10 useless inventions that somehow became wildly successful!
1. Pet Rock 🪨
A literal rock in a box. That’s it. That’s the whole product. Yet in 1975, Gary Dahl sold over a million of them, making him a millionaire. Why? Genius marketing.
2. Bottled Air 💨
Some people are actually paying for air. Entrepreneurs have made millions selling canned “fresh air” from places like the Swiss Alps and Canadian Rockies.
3. The Snuggie 🛋️
A blanket with sleeves. It’s essentially a backward robe, but that didn’t stop it from selling over 30 million units worldwide.
4. The Flowbee ✂️
A vacuum-powered haircutter that lets you cut your own hair at home. It sounds ridiculous, but it has a cult following and sold millions since the 1980s.
5. The Clapper 👏
Clap on, clap off! A sound-activated light switch that eliminates the need to stand up and flip a switch. It became an icon of lazy convenience in the ‘80s.
6. The Selfie Stick 🤳
Before smartphones, no one thought they needed a telescopic pole for their camera. Now, selfie sticks are everywhere, and the market is worth millions.
7. The Banana Slicer 🍌
Slicing a banana isn’t hard. But why use a knife when you can buy a dedicated slicer? Apparently, a lot of people agree, because it became a viral hit.
8. The Useless Box 📦
A box that, when you flip a switch, turns itself off. That’s all it does. And yet, it became a novelty gift sensation.
9. The Baby Mop 👶🧼
A onesie with mop-like fabric attached so babies can “clean” the floor as they crawl. It’s equal parts hilarious and genius.
10. The Dog Umbrella ☔🐶
For dog owners who want their furry friends to stay dry in the rain. It attaches to the leash and covers your pup. Dumb? Maybe. Successful? Absolutely.