I absolutely love the internet, and here’s why: every day I learn something new. Some of it’s serious, some of it’s kind of gruesome, and some of it’s so unhinged and funny that it literally knocks my socks off.
On my latest late-night internet rabbit hole, I stumbled upon the story of Listerine and how it was originally created for something completely different than what we use it for today. And I can say with absolute certainty that none of you would guess it. Honestly, nothing could have prepared me for that one piece of information.
So, of course, I dug deeper to look for more gems like it. Here are some products that became wildly successful just because people didn’t use them the way they were supposed to.
1.
Listerine went from antiseptic and floor cleaner to mouthwash after a 1920s ad campaign turned “bad breath” into a public crisis.
2.
Play-Doh only became a toy after kids started playing with a wallpaper cleaner.
3.
Vibrators were invented as “medical devices” long before they hit bedrooms.
4.
Corn Flakes were invented to curb… sexual desires. Seriously.
5.
Graham Crackers were invented to keep people “moral” and no I am not kiddding.
6.
Ozempic’s journey started with a hormone in Gila monster venom.
7.
Super Glue was almost a total failure, until it stuck the right way.
8.
Bubble Wrap wasn’t born to protect packages—it started as wallpaper.
9.
Silly Putty was born from a failed attempt to make rubber during WWII.
10.
Botox started as a treatment for crossed eyes before becoming Hollywood’s wrinkle fixer.
11.
WD-40 was made to prevent rust on rockets, not to fix squeaky doors.
12.
A tea bag was actually just loose tea packaged in a pouch which was accidentally tossed into a cup of water.
13.
7UP was basically a mood soda before it was a lemon-lime refreshment.