# Examples of inventions that seem like a good idea but turned out to be worthless **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 10, 2019, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355 "2019-04-10T21:04:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/141 "2019-04-20T05:26:21Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > IMHO, most of these seem absurd on their face. Like that device that you can put an egg or eggs into and it will cook them “seamlessly.” > > I mean, how hard is it to put an egg into a frying pan? Several years ago, my mom gave me a “breakfast sandwich maker” for Christmas or my birthday. I have no idea why. I cook for a living, and can make a breakfast sandwich myself with just a frying pan, in half the time and with a quarter of the mess, and have a much less messy end product. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/142 "2019-04-20T12:58:13Z")
> [@Mogle](#): > > Blame the consumers and/or lawmakers, many features on cars start out as being optional extras, electric windows, ABS, airbags etc, as time goes by they become standard features, either because most customers ask for it anyway or because it is required by law. > > Push the button on the remote? Easier than fumbling around with a key. > > And despite what some people may think, even cars with keyless entry and start still has a mechanical key and lock for opening the doors in an emergency. I thought the suggestion to include a key was as a back-up for when the remote isn’t working, and that the car in question did not include a mechanical key and lock. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/143 "2019-04-20T15:12:40Z")
Plastic ice cubes, that is hollow cubes of plastic filled with water. You freeze them, then you can use them to chill your drink without the ice melting and diluting it. Sounded great, didn’t work in reality. The plastic was too good an insulator. After freezing they felt barely cold to the touch. They didn’t noticeably chill my drink. ---
**Author:** ![Mogle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mogle/32/12021_2.png) [@Mogle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogle)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/144 "2019-04-20T17:14:59Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > I thought the suggestion to include a key was as a back-up for when the remote isn’t working, and that the car in question did not include a mechanical key and lock. I’ve never seen a car that doesn’t have a mechanical door lock, even if the keyhole is normally hidden, because it is indeed a back up that lets you get into the car even when something is broken. You referred to a couple of specific situations which made it seem to me like you were implying that using a normal key was easier/quicker, but maybe I misunderstood what you meant. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/145 "2019-04-20T22:16:11Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Several years ago, my mom gave me a “breakfast sandwich maker” for Christmas or my birthday. I have no idea why. I cook for a living, and can make a breakfast sandwich myself with just a frying pan, in half the time and with a quarter of the mess, and have a much less messy end product. We like to shop at thrift stores. In the last few months, every one we have been in has had 3-5 sandwich makers/presses. I wonder how long it will be until we see all the egg gadgets. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/146 "2019-04-20T22:40:51Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > Full disclosure: I own a Tesla. I must say that I am extremely happy with it. Best car I have ever owned in my entire life, in almost all aspects. Translation: I have never owned a BMW e10 or e30. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/147 "2019-04-22T14:02:10Z")
I’m amused by all these people who feel the need to warm up their cars in winter. Heated seats are far more effective and they’re standard on all new cars. Also, I’ve been reminded of the most useless thing I’ve ever received: a hot dog toaster. Two slots for buns, two holes for the meat. Never in my life have I ever wanted a toasted hot dog so much that I needed a specialized appliance for it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/148 "2019-04-22T14:17:02Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > I’m amused by all these people who feel the need to warm up their cars in winter. > > Heated seats are far more effective and they’re standard on all new cars. I’ve got heated seats too. They warm up your butt a bit. Takes a good 5 minutes for them to heat up. I still have feet of snow in my yard on April 22. Still need 4x4 to get home. Heated seats are absolutely no substitute for a warmed cabin when you are dealing with real winter. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/149 "2019-04-22T14:19:30Z")
Neither are a substitute to _moving south_, though. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/150 "2019-04-22T14:20:46Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > I’m amused by all these people who feel the need to warm up their cars in winter. > > Heated seats are far more effective and they’re standard on all new cars. I’ve never owned a car with heated seats (my current 2016 Jeep Wrangler doesn’t have them). Having my ass heated is not something I find pleasurable in any way. My only heated seat experience to date was negative. I was driving my gf’s car for some reason and the seat began to get very warm. I’d never heard of heated seats. I thought the car was on fire. I pulled over, shut the car off, and got out. I called my gf and she explained to me how to turn off this “feature” (which she loves). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/151 "2019-04-22T14:52:58Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > Heated seats are far more effective and they’re standard on all new cars. They are not at all standard. My mother-in-law bought a 2018 Subaru Forrester and it did not come with heated seats. Looking at the website, it seems it doesn’t even come with the premium trim level. You have to buy it as part of an “All-Weather Package.” I just looked at the Mazda website for 2019 models, and the Mazda 3 does not come standard with heated seats. You have to go two trims up from the standard to get heated seats (or one trim level up with the hatchback model.) I don’t care about remote start; car warms up faster when you’re driving it, and I don’t like leaving my car running with no occupants. That said, I live in Chicago, not Duluth or Winnepeg. My views may change there. The heated seats do an okay job. (My wife’s car has them.) It’s not something that I’d consider a “must-have” on a car, but they do okay. Still takes them a few minutes to ramp up. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/152 "2019-04-22T16:37:16Z")
The only experience I’ve had with heated seats was one time in a co-worker’s car. It was cold, and I was having cramps. It was wonderful. I have not felt any real need for them, especially since I don’t get cramps anymore. But it would be nice for the occasional times I have back aches. Mind you, I live in Texas. I never need extra heat to stay warm ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/153 "2019-04-22T16:45:31Z")
I live in Florida but even when I go to cold climates I feel no need for a warmer seat. Seat warmers make it feel uncomfortably like someone has just sat in the seat. Now, steering wheels on the other hand, if they ever come up with a device that can keep the wheel warm _and_ cold depending on the outside temp, that would be useful, although if it is too hot you can simply rub the wheel with a rag or paper before you touch it to remove a lot of the heat. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/154 "2019-04-22T16:55:47Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Oooh - there are rich pickings in the kitchen. > > I think I first saw a [Ketchup Connector](https://www.amazon.com/TableCraft-2-Pack-White-Ketchup-Coupler/dp/B01LZTRZ8M) thirty years ago, and the damn things are still around. I never owned one (did anyone here?) but I was obsessed by the economics of them. The idea was that you connect the neck of your empty bottle (top) to that of the next bottle up (bottom) and the two cents worth of ketchup dregs from the old bottle drain into the new one. Seems like a stupid idea for ketchup, but something similar is surprisingly useful for things that come in pump bottles where the tube never quite gets to the bottom, like hand lotion. > **[Lotion Saver Bottle Couplers](https://www.containerstore.com/s/travel/bottles-medication/lotion-saver-bottle-couplers/12d?productId=10034712)** > > Get free shipping on all purchases over $75 & free in-store pickup on Travel Medication Bottles, Travel Storage & Organization, and more at The Container Store. My wife uses a fair amount of lotion, and there’s always between about 2 tablespoons and a quarter-cup that’s un-pumpable at the bottom of the bottle, and these things let you drain it into another bottle. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/155 "2019-04-22T17:01:11Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I’m still going to go with the fucking car fob. Goddamned pieces of shit, I just hate the fuckers so much. > > Seriously, they’re a result of capitalism run amok, the incessant need to fucking _monetize_ everything. Because you know and I know that… > > \*… some worthless Fuckwit at GM or Toyota or Chrysler (well, not them) or Hyundai sat down upon entering the office, keys in hand. After saying “hello” to his coworkers, he tosses his keys on the desk… whereupon they capture his attention… > > … hey! I have an idea which could make my career! > > I have here a piece of metal which is mission critical to the functioning of a $30,000 piece of equipment… and we’re just giving them away! And, not only that, but when the consumer needs a replacement, they can just go to Home Depot and get another one for $1.25. That’s not fair! That’s our money, those are our keys! > > Fuckwit quickly reserves a conference room, grabs all the other asswipes and douchenozzles working at Fuck-U-Motors, and says: > > “We need to make our careers out of keys.” > “Keys?” > “What do you mean, Mr. Fuckwit, sir?” > “I’m all ears, boss.” \<- This guy is the suckup douchenozzle mentioned earlier > “Not too sure that’s a great idea Jim…” Fuckwit shoots glaring daggers at Asswipe, “b-b-but I’m willing to listen!” > > “So here is what we’re going to do. We have this simple piece of metal which costs $.02 to make, but we do not monetize it. What we are going to do is build, not just a new key, but a… how about a “Remote Keyless Entry System”, which will have the following characteristics: > > 1. It costs $189 to buy, added to the cost of the car > 2. It costs $189 to replace, and can only be done by us > 3. If we allow third-party vendors access to our key system, we’ll just ensure that $49 goes to us, as that’s our profit off these stupid pieces of shit > 4. We can charge $89 for the battery > 5. The operational parameters are: > … You must be able to drive off with this “fob” thing in your wife’s purse > … Gotta be big. Much bigger than a key. And heavier, too. If you sit on this thing, you’re gonna know it. > … Battery has to run out! If the battery doesn’t run out, how do we monetize key batteries at $89 a fuckin’ pop? > … Let’s make it so that… sometimes… the car doesn’t recognize the fob, requiring you to put your key in something called a “fob pocket”? > 6. > > ``` > But, you know, you can unlock your car from a distance! > > ``` > > Well?” > > They look at each other uncomfortably… > > “Well, geez, Bob, that sounds swell and all… but, why? Why would anybody be happy with that?” > > “Holy shit, you’re fucking stupid, Sean! You think our careers depend upon customer HAPPINESS, Sean? What’s this hippy-dippy, shit? No, dammit, we get measured by **financial** results, and I just came up with a plan which allows us to…” … runs some quick figures on a calculator… “… uh, 664k cars sold annually at an estimated additional revenue stream of about… say… $189 per new car on 600k cars, and $15 annualized for every older car (assuming 1 replacement over a 12 year lifespan)… allows us to take something we currently give away for free and turn it into a… let me see… > > … a $150,000,000 revenue stream. > > $150 million, Sean. Fuckin’ Ivy Leaguers. I thought y’all were good at math and shit.” > > “You don’t have to be insulting, Bob. What’s the selling proposition on these things?” > > “We’ll tell the rubes that it’s **convenience** , that it’s worth paying $189 for something that was once free because… shit, I don’t know… they don’t have to fumble for their keys at the grocery store? That’s why we have a marketing team, gang, but one thing I’m sure of? > > They’re Americans. They’ll buy it. They buy everything.” > > The room bursts into applause, and all of them receive promotions and bonuses for the next 10 years because… \* > > … because, sometimes, the worse design wins out, and this has nothing to do with improved functionality. I love having keyless entry to my vehicle. So much more convenient to not have to fiddle with keys and turning a lock, particularly when dealing with a full grocery cart or while corralling a couple of kids. I also love being able to start my vehicle with a push of the button on the dash or by pressing a couple buttons on my key fob (or better yet, though an app on my iPhone!). My dealership replaces batteries for free. Mine key fobs are now two years old and I got a low battery alert on Friday. Swung into the dealership since I was in the area and they changed the battery in 1 minute and at no fee. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/156 "2019-04-22T19:19:26Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The only thing I don’t like about fobs is on my Mazda 3, I will occasional accidentally pop open my trunk or set off the alarm because the fob rubs up against my keys or change in my pocket. (I’ve tried to tape up the connector inside the fob but couldn’t do it for some reason—can’t remember why.) Other than that, I love the damn thing. My newest Mazda 3 has the proximity sensor, so I can open the door and start the car without taking the keys out of my pocket. I thought, at first, this would not be useful, but with the kids, it has been a godsend in making it easier to load them in the car. Hold on. I bought a 2018 Mazda 3 (one of the premium models). My fob can’t start the car, or are you saying it can? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/157 "2019-04-22T19:24:02Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Neither are a substitute to _moving south_, though. 😉 Hey, we live in Alabama and use the remote start on cold mornings. (It helps extend the battery range on our Chevy Volt because it warms up the car without using power from the battery.) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/158 "2019-04-22T21:12:26Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Hold on. I bought a 2018 Mazda 3 (one of the premium models). My fob can’t start the car, or are you saying it can? No. But I can start the car without taking the keys out of my pocket by pressing the button on the dash. I do not have remote start. My point was I can carry the kids and move them all about and get groceries in and out without worrying where my keys are or fumbling with them. This is the first car I’ve had that I can do this with, and it really does make a difference to me in terms of convenience. It took me a few days to get used to the whole starting the car without turning the key thing–and it was weird for about three or four days–but now I don’t think I can look back. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/159 "2019-04-22T23:42:51Z")
Someone out there must have thought Google Glass was a good idea. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355/160 "2019-04-23T00:28:22Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Someone out there must have thought Google Glass was a good idea. 😃 Yeah, really. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-inventions-that-seem-like-a-good-idea-but-turned-out-to-be-worthless/832355.md?page=9)