Ep 100. Failed Inventions

Modern Marvels season 10 episode 100 titled "Failed Inventions" explores the intriguing world of machines and gadgets that failed to meet their intended purpose. The episode delves into the global repository of ideas that weren’t successful, taking viewers on an entertaining and eye-opening journey through history.

The show opens with a warning that inventors continually challenge the boundaries of technology, and not every invention can succeed. The episode examines a few inventions that failed but has the ability to surprise and delight the audience with unexpected tidbits of historical knowledge about the topic.

The episode then takes a closer look at some of the most fascinating and bizarre inventions that didn't quite live up to their potential. It begins by focusing on the world's first electric wheelchair, invented nearly a century ago in 1915 by a man named Harold Russell. It was an incredible breakthrough that gave paralyzed veterans a newfound freedom that they had never before experienced. However, due to its hefty price tag, the electric wheelchair never went mainstream and only served a small group of veterans.

The show then moves to the next invention, the Segway, a self-balancing scooter that was hailed as one of the most innovative products of the 21st century. It was developed by inventor Dean Kamen in 2001, and its unique design made it an attractive means of personal transportation. Despite the hype, Segways didn't quite catch on with the public and remained an upscale novelty item, attracting more attention from tourists and security officials than commuters.

The episode then examines an invention that was ahead of its time, the Strandbeest. It is a giant walking machine created by a Dutch artist, Theo Jansen, that used wind power to navigate beaches. It was created around 1990, when the ecological and environmental concerns regarding carbon emissions weren't as pronounced as they are now. Even so, the concept was fascinating but found no commercial or practical application making it seem pointless.

Next, the episode showcases an example of inventions that lacked common sense through a hybrid product – Spira. It was a vehicle that functioned both on land and water. It was launched in 2000 and was devoid of certain essential features that helped other amphibious cars succeed. It also looked ridiculous on roads and was hard to drive in both roads and water, leading it to fail miserably in the market and become a laughing stock in the market.

Finally, the episode examines the invention of the world's first flying car and how it never made it to mass production. The car was created by Henry Smolinski in the 1970s and had an average performance, but it proved itself as a failure after crashing during a test flight, killing both Smolinski and his test pilot. This tragic accident highlighted the risks involved in inventing and working on new technology.

In conclusion, the episode "Failed Inventions" takes an in-depth look at some of history's failed inventions that were on the cutting edge and had the potential to change the world as we knew it. However, because of economic, environmental, and practical reasons, they have never been able to make an impact. The episode shows how these failed inventions helped pave the way for more successful products and illustrates how essential mistakes and failures can be for progress and advancement in various fields.