# Fictional things/products that became real **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [June 22, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108 "2026-06-22T18:10:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/21 "2026-06-22T20:26:18Z")
No idea, but “Red, White and Blaine” from _Waiting for Guffman_ has. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/22 "2026-06-22T20:33:53Z")
The ankle monitor sprang from a Spider-Man comic strip. The Kingpen had attached one to Spider-Man, and the inventor of the real one took his idea from that. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/23 "2026-06-22T20:41:12Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I think Spinal Tap existed as a… comedy band… before the movie came out. I’m deliberately not researching it. Not research but I just read the book the team put out about their history. The “group” first appeared as a spoof on a comedy tv show. But except for a couple of appearances to get ready for the movie, they never were a band prior to that. Dick Tracy had a two-way wrist radio and later a two-way wrist television. Both have existed in some form since. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/24 "2026-06-22T21:25:27Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Dick Tracy had a two-way wrist radio and later a two-way wrist television. Both have existed in some form since. Similarly, many of the flip phones of the 2000s closely resembled the communicators from TOS era Star Trek. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/25 "2026-06-22T21:43:54Z")
You mean what TV Tropes calls Defictionalization? 🙂 [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Defictionalization](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Defictionalization) ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/26 "2026-06-22T21:44:43Z")
Has nobody mentioned a leg lamp yet? It obviously existed in that cinematic world and you can buy them in several sizes now. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/27 "2026-06-22T21:46:28Z")
Leg lamps were certainly popularized by A Christmas Story, but did they not exist at all before that? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/28 "2026-06-22T21:51:31Z")
Good question. In Gene Shepherd’s stories that were the basis for A Christmas Story, the Old Man won the lamp in a contest sponsored by Nehi soda (Nehi’s logo was a leg and stocking). But did Nehi ever sell or give away actual leg lamps as a promotional item, or was that just Shepherd’s invention? ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/29 "2026-06-22T21:56:34Z")
Puppers Beer, the fictional brew from the hit comedy series _Letterkenny_, is an actual, officially licensed product now. It was originally a novelty created just for the show, but due to high demand, it was brought into the real world. It’s a 5% ABV golden lager produced in Canada by Labatt Breweries. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/30 "2026-06-22T22:07:24Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I think that Spinal Tap (from This Is Spinal Tap) …did some shows and albums, after being invented for those movies. I saw the “Unwigged and Unplugged Tour” in 2009, it was a really fun show. Guest, McKean and Shearer played Tap songs, Folksmen tunes and told stories. One of the highlights of was a screening of [“Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight” performed by a Lego Spinal Tap band](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTxzvsELdDM&list=RDzTxzvsELdDM&start_radio=1). Sadly that part of the show didn’t make it to the DVD because Lego didn’t think the video was “age group appropriate” . ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/31 "2026-06-22T22:21:50Z")
I’ve read that Robert A. Heinlein invented the waterbed in fiction. No clue whether true. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/32 "2026-06-22T22:33:54Z")
In _Home Alone,_ Kevin had a toy recording device called a Talkboy that he used a few times to fool adults. At the time, it was just a prop. But after the movie came out, it became an actual toy you could buy. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/33 "2026-06-22T22:39:48Z")
Here’s another thread about that very subject, with a similar but not identical title: > [@Fictional events that eventually become reality? (Read the OP.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-events-that-eventually-become-reality-read-the-op/1021077): > > This was brought to mind by the breaking news that Pee-Wee Herman’s bicycle is now really going to be in the Alamo: [https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/iconic-red-bike-1985-peewee-big-adventure-alamo-san-antonio-downtown/273-ae796b9c-ad34-41a1-9485-af586e8f61e1](https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/iconic-red-bike-1985-peewee-big-adventure-alamo-san-antonio-downtown/273-ae796b9c-ad34-41a1-9485-af586e8f61e1) Which reminds me that Cypress Hill eventually did play with the London Symphony Orchestra [[Cypress Hill, London Symphony Orchestra - Insane In The Brain (Live)] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Vd8UfYgiU) Any other examples if events like this? (I’m taking abou… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/34 "2026-06-22T22:58:38Z")
Scooby Snacks. Human and Dog varieties. (Yummy) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/35 "2026-06-22T23:07:23Z")
> [@phs3](#): > > I’ve read that Robert A. Heinlein invented the waterbed in fiction. No clue whether true. Not true. Versions of [waterbeds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterbed#History) had existed for 100 years before Heinlein. He didn’t invent waldoes either. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/36 "2026-06-22T23:09:56Z")
Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/37 "2026-06-22T23:23:27Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Wonka candy is another example. I don’t know if they’re still sold anywhere, but I can remember Wonka candy bars. And I can remember the [Everlasting Gobstopper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everlasting_Gobstopper). ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/38 "2026-06-22T23:23:30Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > In _Home Alone,_ Kevin had a toy recording device called a Talkboy…after the movie came out, it became an actual toy you could buy. When I saw Peter Frampton in 2002 people were shouting out requests for “Do You Feel…”, so he teased the audience by pulling out a Talkboy that had a a couple of talkbox phrases from the song and held it up to his vocal mike. Got a big laugh from everyone. ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/39 "2026-06-22T23:28:19Z")
Aw, darn. But thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108/40 "2026-06-22T23:56:53Z")
Mexico now has a Dia De Los Muertos parade because it was depicted in a James Bond film. > **[Live and Let Live: Spectre's 'Day of Dead' parade now real](https://www.007.info/live-and-let-live-spectres-day-of-dead-parade-now-real/)** > > The latest James Bond movie SPECTRE, released to huge box office success in 2015, has evidently left a special and lasting legacy in Mexico City. As many 007 fans will recall, director Sam Mendes and his hard-working crew created a spectacular... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-things-products-that-became-real/1031108.md?page=3)