Forgotten Fads and Fabulous Flops: An Amazing Collection of Goofy Stuff That Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

Kirchner, Paul

ISBN 10: 188164944X / ISBN 13: 9781881649441

Published by General Pub Group, 1995

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 188164944X-4-34148738

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Forgotten Fads and Fabulous Flops: An Amazing Collection of Goofy Stuff That Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
• Publisher: General Pub Group
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 188164944X
• ISBN 13: 9781881649441
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: Fair
• Weight: 19 ounces

About this title

Synopsis

Forget about your tedhnological triumphs and marketing marvels--the real laughs are on the flip six of success, where intrepid inventors and crusading capitalists give us such wonders as--Hop 'N Gator Beer, New Vietnam, Six-Day Underwear, Inchon, The Edsel, and more.

Review

Rhino records, repository of cultural detritus, turns away from '60s garage rock and sleazy lounge recordings for this collection of Things That Were Meant to Succeed ... but Didn't. Entertaining tidbits profile such mega-flops as nasty-tasting, difficult-to-light smokeless cigarettes from RJ Reynolds; Colgate's chewable toothpaste (no kidding); and Kraft's precooked toaster bacon. Obscure failures, such as The Belly Bongo (a toy/musical instrument that was supposed to be the next hula-hoop) and comic book superhero Paranex the Fighting Fetus, receive their fair share of ridicule as well. Not to be missed is the section on product names that didn't translate well, such as Asian beverages Pipi and Mucos, and the American sports car Pinto, which faced difficulty when sold in Brazil where "pinto" is slang for "tiny penis."