Worst Smell in the World

Silly Putty

During World War II, the United States faced a rubber shortage, prompting government-funded research into synthetic alternatives. This led to the creation of a new material made by mixing boric acid and silicone oil, which, despite its inability to replace rubber, found a new life as Silly Putty. Roman Mars explains how a marketing consultant saw its potential as a toy, packaging it in plastic eggs and selling it as a fun, stretchy plaything 1.

We're surrounded by products that were designed for one purpose, but found their true calling in another line of work.

--- Amy Standon

This transformation from a failed industrial product to a beloved children's toy exemplifies how inventions can find unexpected success in entirely different fields.

   

Liquid Ass

Liquid Ass, a product initially created for pranks, eventually found a surprising and valuable role in military training. Amy Standon recounts how its creator, Alan Whitman, developed the product as a teenager interested in smell-related pranks 1. Despite its initial obscurity, the product gained popularity through radio shows and eventually caught the attention of Stu Siegel, who saw its potential in realistic training scenarios for military and police forces 2.

For 15 years, liquid ass languished in smell obscurity. Ellen would use it to pull the occasional prank, but it never found a larger audience.

--- Roman Mars

This journey from a gag gift to a tool for serious training highlights the unpredictable paths that some inventions take.