12 mundane or ridiculous inventions that made millions in profit
Even if we don't take it further, most of us have brainwaves that we're sure will rake in millions of dollars and get our faces on the cover of Time Magazine, but sometimes your Average Joe will come up with a completely useless idea that suddenly takes the world by storm. Nice thought, eh?
Here are 12 mundane or ridiculous inventions that made millions for their creators
1. The Pet Rock
If you don't fancy looking after an animal and are fed up with Tamagoshis, then why not get a pet rock? Personally, we have no idea what the hype is about, but the guy who invented this made $56m in profit. Rock on!
2. The Trunki
A little suitcase on wheels that kids can also sit on, so that they don't wear out their little legs! There's even a strap so you can pull your little one along. This idea was mocked during the UK's 'Dragons' Den' TV show, but its inventor had the last laugh when he quickly started to turnover almost $10m per year!
3. The Furby
This speaking soft toy became a must-have for kids and the company that created it sold over 40 million in the first 3 years! You can now buy numerous types including a Furbaca, designed for Star Wars fans!
4. Slap Bracelet
Fluorescent and decorated with motifs, slap bracelets made their Wisconsin teacher-inventor a cool $6.8m. Not bad for a single strip of colored plastic...
5. Billy Bob Teeth
If you don't want to let your teeth naturally rot, just pop in a set of Billy Bob Teeth. Their creator will thank you - in 2000 this novelty product made almost $8m!
6. The Slinky
We have a soft spot for slinkies and this mesmerizing toy has made almost a billion dollars since it first hit the shelves!
7. The iFart App
Fart to your heart's content without making a smell. Not something that we'd put on our Christmas list, but still an app that none the less 'exploded' onto the scene and makes around $9,000 per day!
8. Hint Essence Water
Water with a fruity hint that to date has seen sales of around $29m per year!
9. Crocs
They're ugly, but comfy! Who would have thought that these plastic shoes would earn their creator nigh on 1 billion dollars in sales...
10. Big Mouth Billy Bass
Enjoy the dulcet tones of a wall-mounted singing fish, all in the knowledge that its inventor has made around $11m from his aquatic idea.
11. Fleece throw with sleeves
Snuggle up in a fleece that's seen over $5m in sales!
12. Doggles
These doggy eyeglasses can protect your pooch's eyes and the company that makes them sold around $3m's worth in 2012. Woof woof!
By Straker Julia
Writer
Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!