5 Shocking Inventions That Somehow Struck Gold

Throughout history, people have invented things and profited from them. The Wilbur brothers and Marion Donovan invented airplanes and the first paper diaper, respectively, and made a fortune. Still, some inventors made a fortune from ridiculous, almost laughable items. We explore these geniuses and their unconventional inventions.

The Pet Rock

Gary Dahl was a copywriter who jokingly stumbled upon the idea of selling pet rocks in 1975. As wild as the idea was, he secured funding for the business. By Christmas that year, the product was selling fast, and he sold a million units at $4 each.

The Snuggie

Scott Boilen is the CEO of Allstar Products Group, the company behind Snuggie. The Snuggie is a blanket with sleeves that is often joked about. Catchy TV commercials and their absurdity made the Snuggie popular. Over 20 million units were sold worldwide, netting the company approximately $500 million.

The Big Mouth Billy Bass

Joe Pellettieri conceived the idea of Big Mouth Billy Bass, a singing prop fish on a trophy plaque. Made from latex and with a mechanical system skeleton, the fish turns its head and flaps its tail while a song plays. The toy generated $100 million in revenue in its first year.

The Whoopee Cushion

Although the idea behind the product wasn’t new, JEM Rubber Co. profited from it in the 1930s. The company made its version of the whoopee cushion, a joke device that made a flatulent sound while under pressure. Luckily for them, it sold well, although exact figures vary.

The Mood Ring

Joshua Reynolds and Maris Ambats were seemingly ahead of their time. The ‘Mood Ring’ they created in 1974 contained crystals that changed color based on the wearer’s mood. However, in reality, the color change mechanism worked off body temperature. The rings sold millions of copies at $45 each.