Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Inventions That Have Shifted From Their Original Purpose

Man Shooting Paintball Gun
man in black helmet and helmet holding black and brown rifle

In one of her more memorable moments on the iconic Sex and The City, Samantha Jones attempts to return a vibrator at her local Sharper Image.

Of course, the horrified store employee informs her that The Sharper Image does not sell vibrators, and the item she was attempting to return was, in fact, a neck massager.

However, a few knowing glances with some fellow female customers made it clear to Samantha Jones that she was not the only one who bought electronic massagers to alleviate tension in other areas than intended.

This is only one particularly funny instance of an invention thats purpose has shifted over the course of time.

Indeed, coca-cola and other sodas were created for medicinal purposes, and today soda pop is enjoyed purely for pleasure.

And who could forget how simple, cardboard milk caps would evolve into the game and trading frenzy that was Pogs?


Redditor PieGuy1793 was curious to learn about more inventions which, today, are largely or exclusively used for purposes different than they were intended for, leading them to ask:
"What’s an invention that’s still around today but has lost sight of its original purpose?"

Still Leaving Their Mark On Trees

"Paintball guns."

"They were originally called paintball markers and were invented as a way for loggers and park rangers to mark trees for trimming, cutting down, etc. without having to walk up to each tree with spray paint or something."

"A couple of dudes who were using them started shooting at each other for fun and paintball as a sport was born."

"In fact some people still call them 'markers' to avoid the stigma some associate with the word 'gun'."- nyeark

No Risk Of A Bad Speech...

"The best man at a wedding was the best swordsman the groom could afford."

"If anyone objected to the wedding, the best man would duel him."

'The honeymoon lasted a whole month after the wedding, where the bride's father would supply the groom with all the mead he could drink."- proc89

Simpler Times...

" Amazon used to sell only books."- SilverWombat818

amazon design GIFGiphy

"In Every Job That Must Be Done, There Is An Element Of Fun..."

"Playdough."

"Was supposed to be a wallpaper cleaner originally."- Mysterion_x

Same Utensil, Different Canvas...

"Electric Pen by Edison are now tattoo machines."- notathrowawayoris

...And Bravo Used To Air Operas...

"History channel, Discovery channel, National Geographic channel :(."- amauryt

As Long As Nothing Spills...

"Nalgene bottles."

"The plastic water bottles that are popular with hikers/campers/other outdoor activity folks were originally created for use as medical/scientific lab equipment as a lighter, shatterproof alternative to glass."- VictorBlimpmuscle

"Who Walks The Stair Without A Care..."

"Slinky was originally meant to be used as springs inside sensitive boat devices."

"'Mechanical engineer Richard James invented the Slinky by accident."

"In 1943, he was working to devise springs that could keep sensitive ship equipment steady at sea."

"After accidentally knocking some samples off a shelf, he watched in amazement as they gracefully "walked" down instead of falling."

"Along with his wife Betty, James developed a plan to turn his invention into the next big novelty toy'."- GuavaGila

Soft And Absorbent...

"Kleenex."

"Its original purpose was to act as insulation in gas masks during World War I."

"After the war, its parent company advertised it as a way to remove makeup."- Dilettante

Sick Flu Season GIF by Emma DarvickGiphy

Still Keeping The Driver And Passenger Safe

"The dashboard."

"Originally it was a literal board of wood used to protect people from mud and debris from when their horse drawn whatever would travel at gallop speeds."

"Now it gives me information about my vehicle's current state and provides audio entertainment."- Electricpants

Perhaps the mark of a brilliant invention is its ability to be used for multiple purposes, and evolve over time.

Even if one can't help but grimace ever so slightly at the fact that a show like Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was aired on a network who's initials first stood for "The Learning Channel'...

Though, debatably, all who watched it did learn a great deal about human nature...

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Matthew Lawrence; Robin Williams
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic via Getty Images; Vera Anderson/WireImage via Getty Images

Matthew Sparks Outrage with AI Robin

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Matthew Lawrence sparked controversy after suggesting that his late co-star and cultural icon Robin Williams should be the next “voice of AI.”

Hey Siri, Matthew Lawrence has a bad idea.

Keep ReadingShow less
Azealia Banks
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Azealia Banks: "No One Is Born Gay"

Controversial rapper and outspoken MAGA supporter Azealia Banks ignited a firestorm online this weekend after posting a series of offensive and inflammatory messages—ranging from defending Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, to claiming that being gay or transgender isn’t “natural.”

On Sunday, Banks began the day by downplaying Trump’s alleged relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Referencing unsealed court documents that list numerous celebrities and politicians linked to Epstein’s network, Banks brushed off the former president’s alleged involvement in a now-deleted post on X.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Liam Neeson And Pamela Anderson Offer Cagey Response After Being Asked If They're Dating

Since the filming of the Naked Gun reboot, a lot of attention has been focused on the returning Liam Neeson and his fabulous costar, Pamela Anderson, but people have not been able to help but wonder if there's more to it than just good on-screen chemistry.

Throughout the promotional tour for the movie, the actors have been incredibly interactive with each other, telling jokes and making each other laugh, and not so subtly touching, including holding hands, hugging, and kissing each other on the cheek.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt Groening
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

'Simpsons' Creator Epically 'Predicts' How Kids Will 'Liberate' Their MAGA Parents

If you've lost loved ones to the MAGA cult, fear not: The children are the future.

That's according to creator of The Simpsons Matt Groening, who just issued a prediction of how today's kids will "liberate their Republican parents" from far-right brainwashing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alex Grace; Giovanni Capriglione
@alaskaunicornco/TikTok; WFAA/YouTube

Exotic Dancer Reveals Affair With MAGA Rep. Who Authored Texas Abortion Ban—And Claims He Paid For 'Several' Abortions

Vehemently anti-abortion Texas MAGA Republican state Representative Giovanni Capriglione has admitted to cheating on his wife, but still denies his affair partner's claim he paid for her to have multiple abortions.

Why is this important?

Keep ReadingShow less