Trend / verb : “To emerge as a popular trend; be currently popular”
A trend, according to Webster’s dictionary, requires that a thing or idea takes on momentum in such a way that it catches on, gains speed, and catches the eye of the majority of the populace for at least a moment.
Examples of successful trends include using underarm deodorant, driving cars instead of horses, and central heating and air. These were all not only popular, but they caught on in a way that didn’t make you point and laugh.
It’s far less often we get to hear about those other ideas that, how can we put this- fell face first into a complete flop of a failure. Today it’s time to unearth some of these notions, in a segment I like to call “Trend Fails.”
#1: iPad-tucked-in-pants-guy
Pockets may get bigger. Tablets may get smaller. But I’m pretty sure, stowing your iPad “where the good Lord split ya” will not be catching on any time in the near future. File this one under “man, that’s just not sanitary.”
#2: The Boat-Car
I have to admit, when I first saw one of these in a Bond film as a kid, I thought they were the coolest thing ever. Who am I kidding, a boat car would be the coolest thing ever. This should not be on the list. This trend would be an epic win.
#3: Microsoft Clippy
“It looks like you’re trying to do something semi-productive in Windows. Would you like me to pop-up and interrupt with some possible solutions?” This Gates-created trend never took off, but I firmly believe it was reincarnated as what we now know as “autocorrect.”
#4: Smell-O-Vision
This actually happened. Back in 1960, the suave guys in the above photo invented a machine that spewed out odors to correspond with different scenes in a movie. This retired stink-producing product is another one that was reincarnated, in this life known as “The Twilight Series.”
What do you think? Wish any of these would come back around in the trend-o-sphere? Any failed trends that I’ve missed?
