Launched by Mattel in 1964, the Creeple People kit let kids make rubbery bug toys by pouring liquid plastic into hot metal molds. However, the heating plates reached dangerously high temperatures causing burns.
Easy-Bake Oven
Launched by Kenner in 1963, the Easy-Bake Oven had real heating elements that could cause burns and fires. Some kids got their finger stuck inside the oven leading to amputations in extreme cases.
Dyson Air-Purifying Headphones
In 2023, Dyson launched a head-mounted, fan-powered personal air purifier with headphones. It squirts a smooth stream of “clean” air across the wearer’s mouth and nose. Dyson started working on this years before the COVID-19 pandemic. They had confidence this would be a hit after already disrupting the hand dryer, vacuum, indoor air purification, and hair product markets with its unique engineering.
However, they were embarrassing for people to wear in public, while were too heavy and emitted a loud fan noise.
Ember
Launched in 2014, Ember used temperature control technology to keep hot beverages at your desired temperature.
However, the product had issues:
- The app and bluetooth connection can be finnicky.
- The charging coaster uses live pins that contact the bottom of the mug. These pins will get stuck and the coaster no longer works. If something metal falls on the pins it can spark.
- The battery in mug is non-replaceable and if it fails, the mug has to be replaced.
- The battery will not charge while it is keeping your drink hot – mug has to be empty or manually turned off in the app for the battery to charge.
GoBots
GoBots was a line of transforming robot toys produced by Tonka from 1983 to 1987. The GoBots toys were part of the robot “sensation” that swept the nation for a short time. The line sold well initially but was overtaken by Hasbro’s Transformers.
Forever 21
Launched in 1984, Forever 21’s fast-fashion business model, which was based on quick-turnaround designs that could be inexpensively mass produced, proved wildly popular with young customers who didn’t have much money to spend but wanted the latest looks. By 2015, global sales peaked at $4.4 billion, with 480 stores occupying enormous spaces in malls across America.
They weren’t seeing the trends, and instead of slowing down on physical space, they were building up physical space. It wasn’t just the number of stores that was problematic, it’s also their size. Forever 21 stores were huge, with the average size at 38,000 square feet. Meanwhile, other chains were closing big stores and moving to smaller footprints and mini-shops to shrink costs and maintain consumer access to their brands.
The company also didn’t bolster its e-commerce platform, even though its core customers are young people who prefer to shop online. This led to its bankruptcy in 2025.
Drugstore.com
Drugstore.com, founded in 1998, was an early e-commerce platform for health and beauty products with over 60,000 items. It quickly rose to prominence, going public in 1999 and acquiring millions of customers.
Despite its early success, Drugstore.com struggled to attract new customers and increase transaction sizes. Drugstore.com faced numerous obstacles, including stringent regulations, particularly in the prescription drug market. These challenges limited its ability to compete effectively with established pharmacy benefit managers and retail pharmacies. The company also struggled with logistical issues, particularly in handling and distributing prescription drugs. Specialized requirements such as cold storage and the need for licensed pharmacists added layers of complexity that Drugstore.com found difficult to manage efficiently. After being acquired by Walgreens in 2011, it was shut down in 2016 to refocus on Walgreens.com.
Atomic Energy Lab
In 1950, the Atomic Energy Lab was launched by the A.C. Gilbert Company. It was a toy kit with real uranium ore allowing kids to make nuclear reactions at home using actual radioactive material.
Professor Einstein Robot
Launched in 2015, Professor Einstein was a desktop-sized Einstein robot that could teach young people about science. His mouth moves in sync with his voice, and he raises his eyebrows and blinks. He can stick out his plastic tongue, walk, and raise his right arm.
Often when you ask the Professor a question it answers a totally different one. Even when Einstein does understand, his information is very basic – looking it up on Google would be much quicker. Since the recommended age is 13 and up, the robot is competing with much more interesting games, websites, and toys.
The voice isn’t elderly and speaks at a raised volume with no volume control. Sometimes, Einstein seems to be looking at you, but most of the time, he’s just randomly looking around the room. In addition, the Professor’s rechargeable batteries are located in the feet, and the bottoms have to be unscrewed with a screwdriver every time the batteries need to be charged, which is every 3 hours. Surprisingly Einstein’s On switch is in its butt crack!
TrackR
Launched in 2014 and discontinued in 2021, TrackR was a Bluetooth-based tracker that struggled to compete against the myriad of competitors including Apple AirTags.
With TrackR’s products tracking could be shared across multiple devices; there was family sharing so your phone could report on the presence of your partner’s bag; and if you lost your keys, the TrackR community could look for them on your behalf.