Hot Dogger - Failure Museum

Presto Hot Dogger

Launch in 1974, the Presto Hot Dogger was an electric hot dog cooker that could cook several hot dogs at once by electrifying metal prongs that pierced the ends of each hot dog – essentially using electricity to heat the meat directly. However, many users found it unsafe or unappetizing; the hot dogs could get scorched, split, or taste metallic. There were also safety concerns because the device used exposed electrical contacts and could potentially shock users if mishandled. The rise and eventual ubiquity of the safer and more versatile microwave oven effectively rendered the Hot Dogger obsolete in most homes.

Kittyhawk - Failure Museum

Kittyhawk

Kittyhawk, the electric aviation startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, shut down in 2022 after a decade of work. Kittyhawk aimed to be an air taxi, but scaling to a safe, quiet, and affordable mass-production aircraft proved extremely difficult. The company spent hundred of millions in R&D, while had difficulty building a product that regulators would approve for public use.

All-American Girls Professional Baseball League - Failure Museum

All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League lasted from 1943 to 1954. The league was founded during World War II when many male baseball players were serving oversees. Once the war ended and MLB returned in full force in 1946, fan attention and media coverage shifted back to men’s baseball. By the early 1950s, teams were drawing only a few hundred fans a game. Players were required to wear skirts, makeup and attend charm school, which limited the league’s credibility as a serious professional sport.

McDonuts - Failure Museum

McDonuts

McDonuts were launched in the late 1980s and discontinued in the early 1990s. McDonald’s was known for burgers, fries, and breakfast sandwiches, not bakery goods. Customers didn’t associate the brand with fresh donuts like they did with Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme. Meanwhile, McDonald’s kitchens were designed for grilling and frying, not making delicate pastries. Without a unique twist or flavor, they didn’t stand out enough to justify keeping them on menus. In addition, fryers for donuts conflicted with fryers for fries, causing cross-contamination and smell issues.

M&M Phone - Failure Museum

M&M phone

The M&M phone as well as other limited capability phones like the ESPN mobile phone, didn’t last in the market when the iPhone was released.

Pop-Up Tape - Failure Museum

Pop-Up Tape Dispenser

3M released the Pop-Up Tape Dispenser in 1997. Instead of using a traditional tape roll and cutter, it dispensed pre-cut strips (“pop-up tape”) that attached to your wrist for “one-handed taping convenience.” However, the product solved a minor problem (cutting tape) that most people didn’t consider a big hassle, while users didn’t see enough improvement over regular tape dispensers to justify buying special refills.

Tarzan - Failure Museum

Rad Repeatin’ Tarzan Action Figure (1999)

In 1999 Mattel launched the Rad Repeatin’ Tarzan action figure to tie in with Disney’s animated film Tarzan. The 12-inch electronic figure could move its arm and repeat phrases when you pressed a button. It came with Tarzan’s signature jungle yell and the ability to “pound his chest.” However, the motion mechanism looked wildly inappropriate. When activated, Tarzan’s right arm moved rapidly up and down near his waist area. Combined with the grunting sound effects, it unintentionally resemble a lewd gesture. Parents and media called it “the most accidentally dirty toy ever made.”

Tony Tattooed Man - Failure Museum

Tony The Tattooed Man (1992)

Mattel introduced “Tony The Tattooed Man” in 1992. The heavily tattooed male figure was intended to appeal to a teen audience during an era when tattoos were becoming mainstream. It was meant to expand Mattel’s male character line beyond family-friendly figures like Ken or action heroes. However, the toy was discontinued due to parental backlash as Mattel’s core market was young kids, while major toy retailers didn’t want to sell a toy that attracted controversy.

Spirit Airlines - Failure Museum

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines filed for a second bankruptcy in 2025 because of a failure to turn a profit since the pandemic, increased competition from larger airlines, high labor costs, and the failure of a proposed merger with JetBlue, which would have provided a vital financial lifeline.

Underoos - Failure Museum

Underoos

Launched in 1977, Underoos were character-themed t-shirt and underwear sets. By the late 1980’s kids outgrew the concept of having superheroes on their underwear, licensing deals became more expensive, and the underwear market became more competitive.