# Product not used for intended purpose - biggest marketing hit? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 21, 2010, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223 "2010-03-21T09:13:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/41 "2010-03-22T00:11:02Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > [Vibram Fivefingers](http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/) were released to yawns as “yachthing” footwear (no fucking clue why someone needed specialized footwear for that), but really exploded in popularity when the barefoot running community discovered them. They’re not nearly as big as some of the other things mentioned here, but they’re huge right now for a niche product. How come the barefoot-running community is interested in a shoe? Wouldn’t that be shoed-running? I guess really thin shoes must be permitted? ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/42 "2010-03-22T00:28:26Z")
> [@MitzeKatze](#): > > Trileptol is an anti-seizure medication, which has mood stabilization effects, so it is often being used for that purpose. Actually, almost all of the mood stabilizers other than lamotrigine are or began as off-label uses for anti-seizure medications. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/43 "2010-03-22T00:34:22Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > How come the barefoot-running community is interested in a shoe? Wouldn’t that be shoed-running? I guess really thin shoes must be permitted? It’s more like protection from abrasion and puncture than an actual “shoe.” The things they (well, “we”?) oppose in shoes are mainly immobilization of the foot, padding, and arch support. VFFs have none of those. ---
**Author:** ![Caveat\_lector\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@Caveat\_lector\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caveat_lector_1)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/44 "2010-03-22T00:40:22Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > More on topic, the cosmetic company Avon have a moisturiser called ‘skin so soft’. It is heavily used by hikers and cyclists in the Scottish highlands as an insect repellent. It doesn’t work that well IME, but nothing can stand up to the plague of midges that descends on the Highlands each summer. It was also used down here in the southern U.S. to deal with gnats. They did seem to get stuck to it at least. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/45 "2010-03-22T00:48:04Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > It’s more like protection from abrasion and puncture than an actual “shoe.” The things they (well, “we”?) oppose in shoes are mainly immobilization of the foot, padding, and arch support. VFFs have none of those. They also prevent pregnancy if you happen to wander into the kitchen 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/46 "2010-03-22T02:47:48Z")
> [@KellyCriterion](#): > > I’ve heard stories about some people purchasing blank CDs to use as drinking coasters, and some people purchasing a certain kind of cereal because the toy whistle it contained could be [used to hack phones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap%27n_Crunch#Relation_to_hacking_culture). In case you’re interested, I interviewed Cap’n Crunch (John Draper) for a series of articles I wrote for _Blacklisted! 411_ magazine on hacking and phreaking. The first article (which doesn’t have much of the interview) is on my website [here](http://www.robson.org/gary/a-blacklisted1.php). One of these days, I’ll have to put the rest up, since they’re no longer on _Blacklisted! 411_’s site. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/47 "2010-03-22T03:24:58Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Avon got a huge boost to it’s Skin So Soft line when people claimed that it repelled mosquitos and other insects. It probably isn’t true but the company ran with the idea and added actual repellent to the mixture. That one has got to be up there in percentage terms. > > [Mosquito Repellent Lore | Snopes.com](http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/skeeters.asp) I heard about this in a marketing class, Avon learned about the alternate use as a mosquito repellent only after then saw a very large jump in sales and tried to find out why, after they learned the reason they didn’t do anything because (IIRC) of some government regulations and because word of mouth was working so good. When they came out with the insect repellent claim I already completed the class. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/48 "2010-03-22T03:29:24Z")
Probably not the big winners, but I use these other than intended: Plastic Deviled Egg Dishes instead of paint pallets Antihystamines for sunburn - keeps them from itching, which helps a ton ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/49 "2010-03-22T03:39:17Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Q-Tip style cotton swabs? > Doesn’t the product packaging expressly warn against using the swabs to clean the ear canal? The exact purpose for which most people buy them? > [@GreasyJack](#): > > My vote is for the Hitachi Magic Wand “massager”-- one of the most popular vibrators of all time, but as far as I know Hitachi has never actually marketed it as a sex toy. They’ve sold zillions of them over the years and I doubt many of them actually get used on people’s backs. ISTM at least plausible, if not downright likely, that both of these things need their own category in that they are actually aimed at the market they are used for but they are labelled otherise for particular reasons. Would either be the shape they are if they were not actually intended to be used as they are? ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/50 "2010-03-22T05:33:29Z")
Corn starch You can find it in every commercial kitchen, and in every commercial kitchen’s bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/51 "2010-03-22T06:42:27Z")
> [@Amblydoper](#): > > Corn starch > You can find it in every commercial kitchen, and in every commercial kitchen’s bathroom. What for? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/52 "2010-03-22T06:44:37Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > What for? I’m guessing for the cooks’ sweaty balls. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/53 "2010-03-22T06:51:06Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I’m guessing for the cooks’ sweaty balls. That would be the bathroom use, then? ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/54 "2010-03-22T06:55:50Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > ISTM at least plausible, if not downright likely, that both of these things need their own category in that they are actually aimed at the market they are used for but they are labelled otherise for particular reasons. Would either be the shape they are if they were not actually intended to be used as they are? Part of why the magic wand caught on in the first place was that it _isn’t_ shaped like a traditional vibrator, so you don’t have to hide it when your parents come to visit. The amazon listing even lists “non-phallic appearance” as one of it’s features. I’m sure they’ve caught on now (note that Hitachi doesn’t bother listing “non-phallic appearance” as a feature for their carburetors or construction equipment), but unlike other japanese sex toys made to not look phallic to dodge regulations (like the rabbit), this one was genuinely designed as a massager. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/55 "2010-03-22T09:30:38Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > That would be the bathroom use, then? Don’t ask silly questions. It’s like wondering why, or worse, when, they took the lithium ouf of 7up. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/56 "2010-03-22T12:44:12Z")
Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene) was originally accidentally invented in 1938 as a byproduct of developing a refrigerant. It was used in World War II to reduce drag on aircraft skins (it’s one of the many secrets that enabled the P-51 Mustang to be both faster and more fuel-efficient than previous aircraft) and is now used in cookware, waterproofing, stain resistance, and many other uses. It also causes cellular damage to tissue under certain circumstances and is widespread throughout the environment. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/57 "2010-03-22T14:41:45Z")
Not sure if this counts but what about “tobacco” smoking products like king-size cigarette paper (Rizlas in UK parlance). They clearly labeled for tobacco use, and I’m sure if you ask anyone at the Rizla Company (on the record at least) they will swear blind that is all they intended for. But NO ONE uses the king-size ones for smoking regular roll ups, they are really only suitable for reefers. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/58 "2010-03-22T14:55:47Z")
The makers of steel wool are probably grateful for the crack smoking epidemic. ---
**Author:** ![Moonshiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@Moonshiner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonshiner)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/59 "2010-03-22T15:00:56Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene) was originally accidentally invented in 1938 as a byproduct of developing a refrigerant. It was used in World War II to reduce drag on aircraft skins (it’s one of the many secrets that **enabled the P-51 Mustang to be both faster and more fuel-efficient than previous aircraft** ) and is now used in cookware, waterproofing, stain resistance, and many other uses. It also causes cellular damage to tissue under certain circumstances and is widespread throughout the environment. Got a cite for that? ---
**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/60 "2010-03-22T15:31:26Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > [Vibram Fivefingers](http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/) were released to yawns as “yachthing” footwear (no fucking clue why someone needed specialized footwear for that), but really exploded in popularity when the barefoot running community discovered them. They’re not nearly as big as some of the other things mentioned here, but they’re huge right now for a niche product. Yachting/boating shoes are huge niche market. I’d be willing to bet it is much larger than the barefoot running market. Yachting shoes need to adhese well to a wet wooden deck, withstand constant exposure to sea water, have good ventillation to dry, be easily removed, and look good. It is that last point that doomed those stupid looking toe shoes. The [prototype yacht shoe](http://www.sperrytopsider.com/store/SiteController/sperry/subcategory?trail=1002%3Acat100066DM&catId=cat90046DM&subCatId=cat100066DM) enudres in popularity today even among those who have never stepped foot on deck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223.md?page=4)