Buzz
From time to time, someone announces the arrival of the world’s next groundbreaking invention — or so they believe. Countless new gadgets emerge, but only a handful manage to truly transform society.
Most inventions tend to build upon earlier designs or introduce something novel. However, the chance of a single invention having the kind of world-changing effect seen with the radio, television, or Internet is rare.
These ten innovations made big promises, but despite the hype when they were first launched, they ultimately failed to leave a lasting mark on the world.
10. Aerial Armored Tanks
Believe it or not, there was a time when the idea of attaching wings to an armored tank for combat seemed like a great plan. Flying tanks were meant to combine the destructive power of armored vehicles with the strategic advantage of air superiority, but as you can imagine, it didn’t exactly go as intended.
In practice, these tanks had glider wings that were either towed or carried by an airplane. Once released, they would glide into the battlefield to provide support for ground troops. While they had some limited effectiveness, the various projects failed to achieve meaningful success.
Rather than revolutionizing the way wars were fought, the flying tank concept was abandoned soon after World War II, though the Soviet Union did continue its development into the 1970s.
Though flying tanks have become a relic of history, they’ve been largely superseded by modern technology. The AC-130 Gunship, with its advanced weaponry, makes any tank look like child's play. Equipped with 25mm or 40mm Gatling guns and a 105mm cannon, it easily outclasses any winged tank.
9. Video Telephones
Long before television was even conceived, people envisioned a future where they could not only talk to someone on the phone, but also see them in real-time. To bring this vision to life, the technology for videophones was developed at great expense, targeted at a consumer market that had long fantasized about this innovation.
When the first videophones were finally created, they were prohibitively expensive. Each unit cost $1,500, with service fees nearing $100 per month, making them out of reach for most consumers and a risky investment for businesses.
By the turn of the 21st century, efforts to transmit video communications over telephone lines were still ongoing, but the technology remained costly and challenging to perfect. This led to the eventual abandonment of videotelephony through phone lines.
In its place, alternative video conferencing technologies emerged, utilizing data networks and the Internet. Nowadays, people rely on apps for communication, but despite the widespread availability of the technology, most prefer not to be seen and instead choose to text, email, or simply make voice calls.
Though video calls have been around for quite some time, they haven’t exactly revolutionized the world. Business is still largely conducted over voice calls, and it’s unlikely this trend will change anytime soon.
8. The Fiske Reading Machine
Bradley Allen Fiske was known for creating a variety of inventions over his lifetime. However, not all of them were as successful as his innovative telescopic sight for naval guns. One of his lesser-known creations, the Fiske Reading Machine, aimed to change how people consumed information, but it never gained traction among readers.
The concept involved a compact handheld device that featured a magnifying lens for one eye, while the other eye was shielded. Text was shrunk down using photo-engraving techniques and printed onto small cards, about six by two inches. These cards were impossible to read without the device.
By looking through the lens, a user could read the miniature text printed on the card. The intention was to reduce the use of paper, offer a portable way to read, and ultimately alter the way people engaged with written material.
To showcase his invention, Fiske condensed Mark Twain’s *The Innocents Abroad* onto just 13 cards. He believed he had revolutionized the publishing world, but if this is the first you’re hearing of his invention, it's clear he didn’t. While it wasn't a terrible idea, it simply wasn't the way people wanted to read books, and the Fiske Reading Machine never made it into mass production.
7. Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin, the world's first cryptocurrency, was created in 2008 by an anonymous individual or group. At the time, it seemed like it might be a groundbreaking development. Cryptocurrencies are digital forms of money that operate independently of any central authority or financial institution.
These digital currencies are quite intricate, and they can be 'mined' by using advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) to solve complex calculations that add new blocks to a continuously growing blockchain. In essence, they process vast amounts of data to gradually generate more Bitcoins.
Initially, Bitcoin had little value, but by 2016 its price surged to $2,900. Within five years, it hit a record high of $19,511, though that value quickly plummeted soon after.
In theory, cryptocurrencies could revolutionize global commerce. However, their anonymous nature—especially in mining and transactions—has largely benefited criminal enterprises rather than the broader economy.
Although cryptocurrencies operate within a decentralized system, they remain vulnerable to the same challenges faced by traditional currencies, such as counterfeiting, market manipulation, and other issues. Cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and many others, are still in circulation, but it’s unlikely that they will significantly alter global financial systems for a variety of reasons.
6. Daylight Motion Pictures
When you watch a movie in a theater, the room is usually dark, and the only prominent light source comes from the projector’s bright lamp. This light reflects off the screen and provides the clearest image when there are no additional light sources, as turning one on would wash out the picture and make it difficult to see.
Despite this, there was a period when people thought movies should be viewed in the daylight for security reasons. In 1910, the concept of 'daylight motion pictures' emerged. This idea spread rapidly across the United States, becoming a short-lived trend.
The concept involved using darker screens, brighter projectors, and the mistaken belief that movies were best enjoyed in the full light of day. In fact, California even passed a law that required movie theaters to maintain enough lighting so that viewers could see one another clearly.
The excitement was short-lived, as projectionists soon complained that movies didn’t look as good in well-lit rooms. Other issues followed, and Daylight Motion Pictures quickly became obsolete. In the end, nothing changed as darkened theaters made a comeback.
5. The Helio-Motor
In 1900, Dr. William Calver introduced a device he called the Helio-Motor, which he believed had the potential to revolutionize the energy industry. Inspired by Archimedes’ heat ray legend, Calver created a device designed to harness solar energy for various applications.
He claimed to have 'cracked the code of harnessing the sun’s rays' with a device that concentrated sunlight through mirrors. This energy would be directed onto bricks or water, storing power without needing electricity to generate it.
When the Helio-Motor was first revealed, it caused a stir, with many eager to invest. Leland Stanford, founder of the university bearing his name, famously told Calver, 'The steam engine made a great revolution, and this will make another.'
The Helio-Motor never did become a household name, nor did it revolutionize the energy industry. It proved to be inefficient, falling short of competing energy generation and storage methods.
Although the Helio-Motor didn’t change the world, the idea has since evolved. Modern systems that use mirrors to reflect sunlight into concentrated solar power plants are effective, though they are far more sophisticated than Calver’s original concept.
4. Cinerama
Before IMAX took over, Cinerama was the cutting-edge way to experience widescreen films. Created by the movie industry to compete with the rise of television, the format debuted in 1952 with the film *This is Cinerama*, which had a raucous premiere on Broadway.
Cinerama used three large, sharply curved screens to project images, creating a massive visual effect. It was hailed as the future of cinema but ultimately failed to capture the market, fading into obscurity over time.
Cinerama's main issue, at least in its early days, was the need for three synchronized projectors, each operated by a projectionist. If the synchronization wasn't flawless, the experience was ruined, making it a costly and manpower-intensive endeavor.
Many theaters were hesitant to invest in the technology due to its high cost. By the time digital advancements made it easier to link the projectors with fewer operators, it was already too late. Today, a few Cinerama theaters still exist, but they're more of a unique attraction than a revolutionary way of watching movies.
3. Flying Cars
The concept of flying cars has been around almost as long as the automobile itself. Over the years, there have been several genuine attempts to bring them to life, but none of these prototypes ever truly changed the world.
In 1940, Henry Ford famously declared, “Mark my word: a combination airplane and motorcar is coming. You may smile, but it will come.” He wasn’t entirely wrong; by the decade’s end, the Aerocar had flown. However, it never went into mass production, nor did any subsequent designs.
The main issue with flying cars lies in the people who would be using them. Most of us lack the training to operate a plane, let alone a car that could take off and fly. This is why governments have kept strict regulations on flying cars. For instance, the Aerocar could only fly between airports and wasn’t allowed to take off from just any road.
Despite the obstacles, the idea of flying cars still fascinates many inventors, and every so often, a new prototype grabs international attention. In September 2020, Japan conducted its first manned test of a flying car. While it hasn’t revolutionized transportation yet, it may have the potential to do so someday.
2. Radioactive Products
After the discovery of radium in 1898, it didn’t take long for people to incorporate it into nearly every product they could think of. At the time, there was a widespread belief that radium had miraculous properties, from promoting hair growth to enhancing male potency.
In its day, radium was found in products ranging from lipstick to chocolate, a trend that, as we now know, was dangerously misguided. Radium became the buzzword of the early 20th century, much like how today people might flock to items labeled 'Non-GMO' or 'Organic.'
Radium was initially hailed as a revolutionary product, but its impact was far from positive. By 1925, the New York Times reported, 'Radium Disease Found; Has Killed 5,' as it had been added to a wide range of products, including butter.
The newly identified 'radium necrosis' became a significant health concern, leading to a swift removal of radium from the market. While the discovery of radium was indeed a game-changer, the products that contained it caused widespread harm.
Radium lingered in consumer products until the 1960s, with the last items featuring it being glowing watches and clocks.
1. Dymaxion House
In the 1930s, visionary Buckminster Fuller aimed to address the pressing demand for affordable housing with his creation of the Dymaxion House. The goal was to design a quickly assembled, cost-effective home that could accommodate the needs of as many people as possible.
The homes fulfilled their intended purpose, being deliverable via truck anywhere across the country and requiring only two days for setup. They featured two bedrooms and a bathroom, but their rigid, standardized design became more of an obstacle than a solution.
Finding furniture that fit comfortably within the circular design of the home was a significant challenge, and customization was not possible. Despite their affordability and potential to address post-WWII housing shortages, Fuller believed the design was flawed and needed improvement.
Rather than allowing the prototype to be produced commercially, Fuller insisted that a better design could be created. However, this improved version never materialized. As a result, the Dymaxion House remains a unique architectural concept that failed to reshape the housing landscape of post-war America's expanding suburbs.
