Brilliant Ideas that Failed

by **Sharjeel** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:40 am

Let us all list and discuss the Products, Inventions, etc that were brilliant in Theory, but did not work, for whatever reason.

by **lizard king** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:50 am

remember Ramar pillai.... the guy who claimed to have made petrol from castor leaves and water.. probably like 8 or 9 years ago?

by **mark** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:08 am

Icarus' wings.

The United Nations

Communism

the personal inflatible solar powered helicopter (http://www.personalinflatiblesolarpoweredhelicopter.com)

by **lizard king** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:21 am

EDUCATION

by **Sharjeel** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:52 am

lizard king wrote:remember Ramar pillai.... the guy who claimed to have made petrol from castor leaves and water.. probably like 8 or 9 years ago?

I do remember him. It would have been a fantastic thing, had it been true.

We did have these Green petrol outlets near our colleges at the outskirts of Nagpur, which sold 'green petrol' which was cheaper than normal petrol. Sometimes when our bike ran out of gas, we had no option but to purchase it, as the nearest petrol station was about 5 kms at that time.

Dunno what was in it, but it was rumored to do nasty things to the engine, so we used it only in times of emergency.

As far as Mr. Pillai is concerned, he must have had some truth in his invention. A scientist in Ngpur had demonstrated that he could easily make herbal petrol by apparently maing a herbal concoction, but actually using a petrol-filled glass stick (with its mouth sealed by paraffin) to stir the brew. The heat would melt the wax and the petrol would go into the pot. Then he would put the brew into a bike, and it would run for sometime.

Quite inovative, really...

by **Habitual Perfectionist** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:08 am

Communism.

by **The Jackal** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:28 am

Hubble Telescope

by **CtrlAltDel** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:50 am

Religion

by **BrownBoy** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 12:36 pm

CtrlAltDel wrote:Religion

^^ Second that !

by **vakibs** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 12:37 pm

personalized computer tutor for each kid :

even as early as 1950s, computer scientists envisioned a computer program which helps children to learn at their own pace. and which would help them in self discovery. it never materialized.

by **Sharjeel** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 1:36 pm

vakibs wrote:personalized computer tutor for each kid :
even as early as 1950s, computer scientists envisioned a computer program which helps children to learn at their own pace. and which would help them in self discovery. it never materialized.

Yes. Even though the internet has become quite a storehouse of knowledge, it still takes an expert to get it out.

Personalised tutors are doomed, until the computer develops perception abilites.

by **The Jackal** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:48 pm

Telugu Movies. :roll:

by **Jaan** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:19 pm

When I was taking a Marketing class, we had to research failed products that never made it to the market: one of those that I still remember >>

Garlic Bread in a Jar!

eek

Jaan

Brilliant Ideas that Failed

Brilliant Ideas that Failed

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