Hilarious inventions are in a league of their own. Inventing things normally takes a keen intellect and a brain that thinks outside the box. But sometimes hilarious and outlandish inventions defy all logic and become wildly successful. You won’t believe some of the bizarre products that have taken the world by storm, and I’ve rounded up some of my favorites. Whether it be a fake tongue to lick your pet, or an umbrella for your shoes, these inventions are sure to prove that ridiculous inventions can make money. Here are 20 of the weirdest inventions that somehow became successful.
1. Pet Rock
In 1975, Gary Dahl created the concept of the pet rock, and it’s exactly what it sounds like… a pet rock. This rock was packaged in a box with breathing holes and marketed as being the “perfect pet.” As silly as it sounds, this ridiculous invention became a massive fad, and over 1.5 million units were sold in the first six months. We’re curious if Gary Dahl actually had faith in the sales of this toy.
2. The Snuggie
Who would have thought that a blanket with sleeves would become a staple in tons of households? The snuggie, a blanket you can wear, instantly became popular with its infomercial campaign, and quickly found its way into tons of houses across the nation, providing warmth, and some laughter. We’re not sure if people bought this as a joke, but $500 million dollars in sales in a few years is no joke.
3. The Shake Weight
This strange exercise gadget went viral due to its questionable motions. The shake weight became the center of countless gag gifts but still managed to rake in millions. The odd design seemed to tap into something people couldn’t resist, a workout, and a chance to laugh.
4. The Selfie Stick
While originally an insignificant product, the selfie stick became an international phenomenon. The stick allowed people to take photos of themselves from afar, which millions of people evidently needed. Though some deemed it ridiculous, the numbers spoke for themselves, and the selfie stick gained popularity among tourists and social media influencers.
5. Mood Rings
This 1970s invention took society by storm. The ring promised to reveal your emotional state based on the color that it showed. Which, in all reality, adults knew wasn’t true, but kids with an extra five bucks lying around believed the hype. Thanks to the mix of mystery and fun, mood rings became a staple accessory for many young people, despite their questionable ability to truly reflect emotions.
6. The Hamster Ball For Humans
Stealing inspiration from the popular toy for hamsters, this human-sized hamster ball allows adults to roll around in a plastic orb while remaining generally safe. This invention quickly became an unexpected hit at theme parks and had the internet begging for more of it. Who would have thought a quirky invention that is normally for hamsters would have blown up into a multi-million dollar idea?
7. The Singing Fish
Everyone knows this infamous fish, whether it’s from your weird uncle’s old stuff collection, or to promote a fish sandwich. This invention was initially created as a fun gift or novelty decoration but quickly became a staple across the country. Though it was a bit strange, people loved it and it ended up in countless homes.
8. The Baby Mop
Have you ever thought about using your baby as a tool? Well, there’s no need to because someone else already had the idea. This invention attached tiny mops to baby’s onesies so they could “clean” the floor as they crawled. Though bizarre, the concept entertained parents looking for some extra help around the house.
9. The Finger Shoes
Finger shoes are exactly as strange as they sound. They are shoes designed to fit each of your toes separately. While they look odd, they gained massive popularity among people who liked the idea of footwear that resembled gloves on your feet. This invention is widely used among climbers and athletes, and the market has brought in millions.
10. The Hoverboard
These futuristic gadgets became all the hype when they hit the market in the 2010s. Despite skepticism about safety, hoverboards took over as a must-have for kids and teens across the nation. It’s absurd to see the amount of people gliding along the sidewalk rather than walking.
11. A Toilet Paper Holder with Bluetooth Speakers
Some people like to enjoy music to help them relax, and this product takes that to a whole new level. This product combines bluetooth speakers with a toilet paper holder, which allows the user to enjoy their favorite toons while, well, taking care of business. It’s a bit over the top, but this invention raked in millions.
12. The LED Face Mask
This almost insane invention promised to rejuvenate your skin with a “futuristic” electric-powered mask that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Despite its creepy appearance, it became popular among beauty influencers, claiming it helped their skin look more youthful.
13. The Air Conditioner Hat
This invention may be hilarious, but it’s also genius. During a heatwave, why not wear your own personal AC unit? The air conditioner hat took the world by storm with its insanely large fan mounted on top of the head. The hat would blow cold air directly at you for hours at a time, which is a cheat for people who work outside all day. If you’re willing to look ridiculous to be comfortable, this hat is for you.
14. The Backwards Pants
Who says pants have to have the fly in the front? Backwards pants hit the market as a hilarious fashion statement for those looking to make a bold, and confusing statement. While this trend wasn’t exactly mainstream, it definitely made some heads turn.
15. The Shoe Umbrella
This strange invention was created to protect your shoes from getting wet during a storm. The invention was a tiny umbrella that attached to the top of your shoes and kept them dry, though whether it actually worked or not is a mystery. Either way, loads of people were intrigued enough to give them a try.
16. Canned Air
No, sadly we’re not joking. Some companies played us as fools and sold canned air as a novelty item. The air was claimed to be from “exotic locations” but who knows whether or not that was true? It’s hilarious, but also intriguing to consider breathing air from places like the Swiss Alps.
17. The Toilet Paper Machine
For those who literally don’t want to lift a finger, this device would automatically dispense toilet paper with the push of a button. It became an oddly loved product for a while, giving people the convenience of effortless toilet paper retrieval.
18. The Pillow Tie
Why choose between looking professional and getting some rest when you can choose both? The pillow tie was a tie with a built-in pillow that allowed you to rest your head during a meeting. While it never really caught on, it certainly gained some attention for its combination of work and relaxation.
19. The Air Umbrella
Say goodbye to that annoying bulky umbrella, and hello to this device that uses air pressure to create a barrier that shields you from the rain. While it may look like some high-tech futuristic invention, it didn’t work as well as inventors hoped. Still, the air umbrella caught loads of attention and fascinated many.
20. The Licki Brush
Do you want to groom your cat like their parents would? The licki brush is a silicone brush designed to mimic a cat’s tongue, allowing you to “lick” your pet as if you were one of them. Although strange, tons of pet owners actually embraced this invention as a way to bond with their cats in an unusual way. Hey, at least people aren’t actually licking their cats.
