Products That Saw a Resurgence Due to Piqued Interest Developing Unexpected Popularity
In a world where every budding entrepreneur dreamt of the next big thing, it seemed like having the right idea was the key to success. Well, not so fast. Many promising concepts stumble before they even grip a decent foothold, simply because they don't manage to get noticed. In fact, even excellent products can fall flat on their faces if they lack visibility or someone who believes in them. So, let's dive into some iconic examples that weren't short on ingenuity but needed a little extra oomph to make it big.
1. The Untimely Triumph of Bubble Wrap: From Wallpaper Flop to Packaging Phenomenon
In 1957, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes were convinced they had the next big thing - a fun, textured wallpaper made by sealing two shower curtains together. However, when it failed to impress the masses, they got creative. They found that IBM needed a solution to protect their new computers during shipping. Bingo! With IBM's support, Bubble Wrap found its purpose, not gracing walls but protecting goodies from damage. Once it found the perfect niche, Bubble Wrap transformed into something that revolutionized packing and protection, much to the surprise of its creators.
2. The 'Sticky' Rise of Post-It Notes: From Personal Hack to Everyday Essential
In 1968, Spencer Silver invented a weak adhesive that was deemed useless for industrial applications. Little did he know that it would one day become a household staple. The course of history was altered when fellow 3M employee Art Fry needed a solution to keep his hymnal pages from fluttering during mass. With a little creativity, Fry combined Silver's adhesive with paper and gave birth to the humble Post-It Note. Its popularity skyrocketed when people fell in love with its ability to help organize lives, one sticky note at a time.
3. The 'Velcro' Tightrope: From Obscure Idea to NASA Star
In 1941, Swiss engineer George de Mestral was inspired to create a fabric fastener after observing burrs clinging to his dog's fur. Although the idea was ingenious, de Mestral struggled to convince others of its worth. It was only when NASA recognized the potential of Velcro for keeping tools secure in zero gravity that it finally found its footing. With its first major endorsement, Velcro gained credibility and took off, appearing in everything from shoes to hospitalwraps.
4. The 'Super Glue' Cement: From Wartime Experiment to Household Savior
During World War II, scientists at Eastman Kodak stumbled upon a powerful adhesive while trying to create clear plastic for gun sights. However, the adhesive was too sticky for their initial needs, so it languished in storage for years. This changed when the company realized the potential of its clear, sticky compound. Rebranded as Eastman 910, Super Glue found its calling as a versatile adhesive that saved the day in homes and hospitals alike.
5. The Curious Birth of Slack: From Failed Game to Communication Powerhouse
Slack wasn't developed as a workplace communication tool. Instead, it emerged as a way for a team to stay in touch while building a failed video game. When they realized the tool could serve a larger purpose, they shared it with other startups, who embraced it and championed its unique features. Slack grew from a mere internal tool into a platform that millions now rely on daily for seamless team collaboration.
Stoking the Fire of Curiosity: Encouraging Ingenuity in Your Teams
What's the key to fostering a culture of innovation and curiosity in your teams? Start by teaching them to ask better questions, especially about the users they're targeting. Encourage them to share their ideas before they feel ready and remain open to feedback, even (and especially) from sources outside their immediate circle.
The Unbreakable Bond Between Curiosity and Visibility
Beyond marketing, sometimes all it takes is the right person noticing a product and sharing their enthusiasm. These iconic products succeeded because someone recognized their potential and vocalized their admiration. The teams behind them didn't rest on their laurels; instead, they eagerly asked, "Who else needs to know about this?" and put in the effort to bring their creation to the masses. Teams that catch the spotlight build amazing products worthy of our attention, then they tirelessly promote them, seeking the next curious mind who will give them a second chance and make them inevitable. A culture of curiosity means asking questions, recognizing patterns, and sharing ideas, even before they're polished to perfection. These products didn't burst onto the scene in a single, dazzling debut; their enduring success hinged on someone believing in them enough to keep them visible and give them the edge they needed to make their mark.
- The innovations behind Bubble Wrap, Post-It Notes, Velcro, Super Glue, and Slack may have started as wallpaper flops, personal hacks, industrial failures, or failed video games, but they transformed into everyday essentials and market traction magnets when someone believed in their untapped potential and made them visible.
- To foster a culture of innovation in business, encourage teams to ask better questions, share their ideas early, remain open to feedback from various sources, and seek visibility for their creations. Sometimes, it only takes the right person noticing a product and promoting it to turn an overlooked invention into a groundbreaking success.
