# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/101 "2010-03-23T18:37:41Z")
> [@MacLir](#): > > One I consider a classic is the dual use of diphenhydramine, which may not actually qualify. > > Back in the early '80’s it was pointed out to me by a pharmacist that while Benadryl© was a prescription drug, Sominex II© was the same substance, in the same dosage, just in a tablet instead of a tiny capsule, and was available over the counter with no controls whatever. Later, both forms became uncontrolled. > > Exercise for the student - Why is Benadryl© packaged in a teeny little capsule about the size of a sunflower kernal? It actually took me a while to realize there was a very specific reason beyond easy identification. :smack: > > Hint: It’s much smaller than either a peanut or a bee. :eek: I don’t get it. 😕 ---
**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 23, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/102 "2010-03-23T19:20:11Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > I don’t get it. 😕 I’m just guessing here, but since Benadryl relieves nasal congestion, perhaps they wanted to make the capsules small enough that they wouldn’t get stuck if some idiot stuffed them up his nose? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/103 "2010-03-23T20:17:12Z")
During World War II, when rubber was rationed, the U.S. government funded research for the development of synthetic rubber replacement compounds. One compound, which is credited as being invented by James Wright of General Electric, did not meet all the properties desired to replace rubber and spent several years as a scientific curiosity before reaching Ruth Falgatter, the owner of a toy store. She contacted Peter Hodgson, a marketing consultant, who persuaded her to put the substance in a plastic case and sell it for $2. The substance outsold everything in the toy catalog except for Crayola Crayons. Hodgson bought a batch of the substance, packaged it in a plastic egg, reduced the price to $1, and named it [Silly Putty](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_putty). The rest is history. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/104 "2010-03-23T20:35:00Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > I don’t get it. 😕 Probably so you can swallow it even if your throat is swelling up. Just a guess, though, not really GQ quality. ---
**Author:** ![j\_sum1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/105 "2010-03-24T05:52:47Z")
I recall reading somewhere that there was once (thinking mid '90s) a Japanese game console that included a bar code scanner. There were some tradeable cards or something that when scanned gave the characters in the game certain powers and attributes. It wasn’t long before gamers were scanning their grocery items. Lo and behold there was a brand of noodles that made the game-play awesome and sold in huge numbers. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/106 "2010-03-24T08:00:44Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > … [Play-Doh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play-Doh) was originally designed and marketed as a wallpaper cleaner. The first time I met [_Blu-Tack_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-Tack)\* it was connected to a plastic handle and sold as [_Bud Typewriter Type Cleaner_](http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25011920). CMC fnord! \*I swear the first time I met _Blu-Tack_ is was called _Fun-Tak_. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/107 "2010-03-24T10:34:12Z")
How about the magnetron, the original use was generating radar waves but also used in microwave ovens. Radar still a very widely used device but there are infinitely more microwave ovens than radar sets. ---
**Author:** ![Carmi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Carmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmi)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/108 "2010-03-24T13:39:58Z")
Aside from the original use of tampons, of which there is no need for discussion, they have a second use. They are used, believe it or not, as air filters for certain aircraft. Mostly as instrument panel cooling air filters in all sorts of relatively small planes. Of course, you need to get the FAA certified Tampax for that, but it’s still Tampax noentehless. Aviation is actually rife with these things. Like Apollo 13, but over several decades. That should be a good fit for the OP. ---
**Author:** ![MacLir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/109 "2010-03-24T14:49:22Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Probably so you can swallow it even if your throat is swelling up. Just a guess, though, not really GQ quality. Correct. One of the most threatening symptoms of anaphylactic shock is swelling of the throat, which can close off the airway - hence the reference to peanuts and bees; a couple of the allergies most known for those symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![MacLir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/110 "2010-03-24T14:55:38Z")
> [@Carmi](#): > > Aside from the original use of tampons, of which there is no need for discussion, they have a second use. > They are used, believe it or not, as air filters for certain aircraft. Mostly as instrument panel cooling air filters in all sorts of relatively small planes. > Of course, you need to get the FAA certified Tampax for that, but it’s still Tampax noentehless. > > Aviation is actually rife with these things. Like Apollo 13, but over several decades. > > That should be a good fit for the OP. I have also heard references to Special Forces using them as first aid for gunshot wounds on a mission, but don’t know how much credence to put on that. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/111 "2010-03-24T15:09:44Z")
I am a long-time sufferer of both depression and insomnia. I’ve been taking the antidepressant Elavil (amitriptyline hydrochloride) for over 20 years. Its major side effect is extreme drowsiness. Though it no longer really does much for the depression, it’s nevertheless the best sleeping pill I’ve ever used. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/112 "2010-03-24T15:27:08Z")
Coke (the soft drink) is also used to clean pennies, toilets and shine metallic surfaces, including taking rust off of chrome with aluminum foil. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/113 "2010-03-24T17:14:04Z")
> [@MacLir](#): > > Correct. One of the most threatening symptoms of anaphylactic shock is swelling of the throat, which can close off the airway - hence the reference to peanuts and bees; a couple of the allergies most known for those symptoms. Uh, will Benadryl really work fast enough to releive anaphylactic shock? I thought that’s what the epi-pens were for? ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/114 "2010-03-24T17:24:45Z")
If you don’t have a pen, maybe the pill will buy you some time. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/115 "2010-03-24T17:32:56Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:46, topic:533223”] 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. [/QUOTE] Nice article. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/116 "2010-03-24T18:31:18Z")
**MacLir** said: > [@](#): > > I have also heard references to Special Forces using them as first aid for gunshot wounds on a mission, but don’t know how much credence to put on that. Since that’s what they were originally designed for (battlefield wounds), I’d put a lot of credence in it. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/117 "2010-03-24T20:07:32Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > Uh, will Benadryl really work fast enough to releive anaphylactic shock? I thought that’s what the epi-pens were for? I can’t answer, but I know that my allergist told me to always have benadryl around because of a tiny, hardly-worth-mentioning, entirely stress-related allergy I have to peanuts. Turns out that’s the kind of allergy that’s been known, without warning, to turn into what doctors call _acute dying_. Maybe having the benadryl on hand is just to make me feel good, but I have to assume he would have told me to get an EpiPen if the benadryl wasn’t at least partially helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/118 "2010-03-24T21:52:45Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > Don’t forget trailer hitch covers, roof rack end caps, and something to hang in the garage to show you how far to pull in. No, no, the _ **original** _ purpose of the “tennis” ball was ammo for Polish Cannons. Tennis is the Polish name for them. I should know, I’m half Polish. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/119 "2010-03-24T22:01:57Z")
Condoms on the end of your rifle muzzle to keep dirt out. Very popular during the Vietnam war. Don’t know if they are still used for that. Any recent vets able to comment? ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223/120 "2010-03-25T20:10:22Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I can’t answer, but I know that my allergist told me to always have benadryl around because of a tiny, hardly-worth-mentioning, entirely stress-related allergy I have to peanuts. > > Turns out that’s the kind of allergy that’s been known, without warning, to turn into what doctors call _acute dying_. I suppose that’s better than chronic dying. I hear chronic dying really sucks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-not-used-for-intended-purpose-biggest-marketing-hit/533223.md?page=7)