8 Quirky Items That Were Originally Used for Something Else

It’s very intriguing to think about how many of the everyday items we use were actually invented with another purpose in mind. There are many quirky items that have surprising beginnings that you might not have heard about. Whether it was an accidental discovery, pleasant surprise or mishap that turned out to be purposeful, there are so many strange and seemingly random items that originally had another use. From items like bubble wrap to beloved Play-Doh, let’s explore some offbeat items that were intended for something else! Make sure to read until the end to find out how many you knew about! Let’s go!

1. Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap was invented in 1957 by two engineers named Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes. They sealed two shower curtains together to trap air bubbles and tried to sell it as wallpaper. However, it never took off. But, in 1961, Sealed Air Corporation discovered that bubble wrap could also be used as a protective material when packing and shipping items. That’s when bubble wrap became really successful. Now you can buy bubble mailers, pouches, rolls and envelopes, and there is even a bubble wrap appreciation day, which is the last Monday in January!

2. Play-Doh

Play-Doh was originally invented in the 1930s by Kutol Products to be a wallpaper cleaner and sold in Kroger grocery stores. It was a non-toxic, clay-like, moldable substance made mostly from water, salt and flour. However, in the 1950s, the nephew of the owner of Kutol Products noticed children playing with the Play-Doh and using it as a crafting material. He shipped some to a school to test it out, and the teachers and students loved playing with it. It was first sold as a “toy” in 1956 and was advertised on children’s TV shows in 1957. The original colors were white, red, yellow and blue. Play-Doh has since released many different versions of the product as well as exciting accessories. It is now considered to be one of the most successful children’s toys of all time.

3. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola was originally invented to be plant medicine and help with common ailments like headaches and fatigue. It was invented by Dr. John Stith Pemberton, who was a pharmacist. But the beverage took off more as a pleasure and everyday drink than a health drink. The recipe for the iconic drink is still kept heavily guarded, with few people knowing the full list of ingredients. Coca-Cola is now sold in nearly every country around the world! Not bad for a drink that was supposed to cure headaches!

4. Silly Putty

Silly Putty was invented in 1943 by a chemist named James Wright who was trying to find a potential replacement for rubber during World War II. Rather than making a replacement for rubber, he created a bouncy, stretchy substance that wasn’t strong enough to use as intended. But it was fun to play with. Silly Putty found widespread success in 1950 when Peter Hodgson packed the Silly Putty in small plastic eggs for people to buy. It was a hit and has become a childhood staple of play for more than seventy years! In fact, it was even inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2001.

5. Duct Tape

Originally created for the military during World War II to keep moisture out of ammunition cases by Vesta Stoudt in 1942, duct tape became a global phenomenon. The first version was an olive green color rather than the iconic silver. It wasn’t used in everyday life until the 1950s, when it was marketed as a home repair product. Duct tape has inspired fashion shows, DIY projects, emergency repairs and more. It was even used in the Apollo 13 mission to keep astronauts in space safe and able to return to earth. Duct Tape has such a big fan base that there is a festival to celebrate it every year in Ohio!

6. Post-It Notes

Post-It Notes were accidentally invented by a scientist named Spencer Silver in 1968. He was trying to create a strong adhesive and discovered a reusable one instead. Post-It notes were originally called Press n Peel and, after a survey in several United States cities, were renamed Post-It Note in 1980. Post-It Notes became an overnight success, with people using them for all sorts of things. They come in many different sizes and colors (but they started with just yellow). They’re versatile and can be used on so many different surfaces without leaving behind any sticky residue. Nowadays people use Post-It Notes during meetings, for brainstorming, for remembering things, for schoolwork, and so much more.

7. Vaseline

In 1859, a chemist named Robert Chesebrough noticed oil workers were using a waxy-type substance that they called “rod wax” to help heal cuts and burns. Intrigued by it, he took samples back to his lab and refined them to make them a lighter gel substance. In 1872, he patented the name and product under Vaseline. It was originally used to help dry and damaged skin, but we now know that it also eases sunburn, exfoliates lips, moistens the nose and more! Robert Chesebrough probably had no idea that his Vaseline creation would become a major household name.

8. Superglue

Superglue was discovered by accident in 1942 when Dr. Harry Wesley Coover accidentally created it while trying to make clear plastic guns for soldiers. The substance was extremely durable but far too sticky to be useful for war. Then, over a decade later, Dr. Coover rediscovered the compound when researching polymers that were heat resistant for jet canopies, and the name “superglue” was born!

Final Thoughts

There are so many strange items that were invented for something and then ended up being great for something else. Bubble wrap, Play-Doh, Coca-Cola, Silly Putty, duct tape, Post-it Notes, Vaseline and superglue are all examples of fine inventions that turned out to be useful for something other than intended. Which of these surprised you most? Let us know below!