Failed gadgets from the past have paved the way for more successful, modern versions

From Cointelegraph

June 25, 2025 03:04:00 AM:

In the ’90s and early 2000s, technological gadgets like the Electrolux Trilobite robotic vacuum and the Sega Dreamcast VMU failed due to issues like inefficiency and limited functionality, but their core ideas paved the way for smarter, more affordable versions like the iRobot Roomba j7+ and Apple Watch Series 9.

Sony’s original AIBO robotic dog and Nintendo’s Virtual Boy gaming console also struggled with high costs and limited utility, but modern iterations like Amazon Astro and the Meta Quest 3 VR headset offer enhanced functionality and emotional interaction, showing how innovation can evolve over time.

Early devices such as the AT&T EO Personal Communicator and Sharp Zaurus pocket PC may have been ahead of their time, but today’s smartphones and Raspberry Pi mini-PCs have compressed multiple functions into sleek, powerful devices accessible to a wider audience, showcasing the impact of iterative design and technological advancements.

The failure of pioneering digital currency concepts like Avant and DigiCash in the ’90s due to low demand and regulatory hurdles contrasts with the current global trend toward central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), marking a significant evolution in state-backed digital money for applications like welfare disbursements and transportation payments.

From Dutch inventor Fred van der Weij’s early air fryer prototype to modern countertop models like the Ninja Foodi DualZone, the evolution of kitchen appliances demonstrates how refined technology and user-friendly features can transform impractical concepts into indispensable tools, highlighting the importance of innovation and adaptation in shaping the future of consumer products.

Read more at Cointelegraph: 10 Failed Gadgets That Are Now Everywhere