Many common household things we use every day had completely different original purposes. Whether it's the same glue in your junk drawer that was originally designed to close wounds in times of war, duct tape that is used to fix anything but, or play-doh which is a popular child's toy but was made to clean wallpaper there is an interesting history to a lot of things if we take the time to learn.
Redditor EpicEllis2004 wanted to hear more about the original intentions behind commonly used products.
“What products main purpose is ignored?"
Being the endless resource of random information that it is, the internet filled their demand.
“It was originally designed during WW2...”
“Slinky, the toy. It was originally designed during WW2 to help sensitive instruments remain steady on ships... to counter the effects of pitch, roll, and yaw. The engineer working on them knocked one off his desk accidentally, saw the way it moved from the table to the chair, to the floor, and a new purpose was born.”
“On a side note... during the Vietnam War, when the Slinkys were metal, radio operators would carry them through the deep jungles. If they couldn't get a good signal in the jungle mountains, they'd sling a Slinky high into the tree limbs while holding onto one end. It created an instant antenna extension that they would attach to the radio.” Single_Performance25
Aliens...
america guy GIFGiphy“History Channel... as far as I am concerned the secret relationships between aliens and the illuminati do not qualify as ‘history’.” Ezequiel-052
Cure for baldness?
“Minoxidil was originally developed to treat high blood pressure and people reported unusual hair growth all around the body, since it promotes blood flow to the skin pores. They came up with a topical version and voila, millions of people smear that sh*t on their scalps and beards everyday and its the one of the only clinically proven ways to cure baldness.” LeagueOfLucian
Teach me how to snuggie...
So Excited Dancing GIFGiphy“Snuggy was originally designed for wheelchair users. Outerwear designed for walkers is cumbersome to take on and off for wheelchair users so snuggies were designed to help with this." TooMuchHotSauce5
Another user added some interesting points.
“It is still intended for wheelchair users. Snuggies, and many other disability devices, are advertised and sold to able bodied people so the manufacturer can actually make a profit. It's not accidental they became popular and used by everyone, it was done on purpose."
“A lot of those 'lazy' helping products on the tv channels are specifically on there because the disabled and elderly community often doesn't bring enough revenue, even if they are the intended audience." darthvadercake
Its in the fine print...
“Q-tips. The only thing are used for is the one thing you are explicitly told not to use them for." bloblehead
“Yes, a really small and often easily overlooked disclaimer, usually in a spot where almost nobody will ever read. You know, so they keep selling them as ear cleaners and cover their a**es in case of someone injuring themselves enough to then actually try to sue the cotton swab maker."
“Example, the box of Q-Tip brand cotton swabs I have next to me has the disclaimer on the side label and underneath customer service info like the company's address and legal info." AmiiboPuff
Yeah, for “shoulder aches”...
“Hitachi market a massaging wand that works absolutely great on muscle knots. It works by using powerful vibrations and it's mostly used for something that Hitachi refuse to acknowledge entirely.” Dydey
We remember too...
Mtv Vintage GIFGiphy“Remember when MTV was a music television?” galactic-frog
“TLC used to be The Learning Channel, now it's trash reality TV.” dapper-doberman
“Remember when Discovery was educational channel and not just trucks and auctions?” Alien-Fox-4
Stroke prevention...
“Viagra. It's a heart medicine originally." VegetableWishbone
Baggies...
“Sandwich bags. Pretty sure I use them for everything but sandwiches.” jolemast
“And on that note, the little mini baggies that are designed for buttons, pins, etc.” grindlevvald
Excel takeover...
“As a corporate finance person, Excel has permeated every facet of my job in every company I've been at, including fortune 500. It's literally the bandaid that keeps these companies running." DrunkRespondant
Some unexpected origins for common things we still use today, although, does anyone still watch MTV without the music?
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