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Products are usually well thought-out. After all, companies are investing time, money, and other resources into developing them. But even though they are created to satisfy a specific need, things happen and products can evolve into something else entirely, taking on new forms and applications.

To learn more about these examples, Reddit user u/EpicEllis2004 submitted a question to the platform, asking what are some of the products that have drifted away from their main purpose. Turns out, it's a topic that really interests people. In just a week, the post has received over 34K upvotes and 14K comments, providing quite a few interesting insights into consumerism. Here are some of the answers.

#1

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread History Channel... as far as I am concerned the secret relationships between aliens and the illuminati do not qualify as "history"

Ezequiel-052 , history Report

#2

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Remember when MTV was a music television?

galactic-frog , Blude Report

#3

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread The toilet lid of a toilet. Seen too many not even know you're supposed to put the lid down before flushing. Microscopic fecal matter flies everywhere otherwise. Apparently this isn't common knowledge.

ShroomyKat , Curology Report

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Kari Panda
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. So many arguements about putting the toilet seat up/down when honestly, everyone should just close the lid once they’re done. The particles spread up to 6 m (19 ft) otherwise.

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#4

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Slinky, the toy. It was originally designed during WW2 to help sensitive instruments remain steady on ships... to counter the effects of pitch, roll, and yaw. The engineer working on them knocked one off his desk accidentally, saw the way it moved from the table to the chair, to the floor, and a new purpose was born.

On a side note... during the Vietnam War, when the Slinkys were metal, radio operators would carry them through the deep jungles. If they couldn't get a good signal in the jungle mountains, they'd sling a Slinky high into the tree limbs while holding onto one end. It created an instant antenna extension that they would attach to the radio.

Single_Performance25 , Will Report

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#5

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Q-tips. The only thing they are used for is the one thing you are explicitly told not to use them for.

bloblehead , Olivier Bergeron Report

#6

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread The warming drawer on the bottom of all our ovens, which is used as pan storage for exactly %100 of oven owners.

Newtracks1 , Grant.C Report

#7

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Super glue was meant to be a temporary method of stitching a wound. It was used that way during the Vietnam War. Tell people today to super clue their cuts shut, however, and most will think you're crazy

BigBobby2016 , endolith Report

#8

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Apparently paintball guns were invented for foresters/loggers/park rangers to mark trees (for cutting etc.) without having to approach each tree.

galactic-frog , Pengyi zhang Report

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Jyri Hakola
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonder how many minutes it took after the initial product release that 1st forester thought that it would be funny to shoot Mike on back.. Maybe hours but definetly not days..

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#10

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Snuggy was originally designed for wheelchair users. Outerwear designed for walkers is cumbersome to take on and off for wheelchair users so snuggies were designed to help with this.

TooMuchHotSauce5 , lynn Dombrowski Report

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#11

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Ketamine is for horses and not for Saturday night.

jibbletmonger , Steven Cornfield Report

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's been approved for use as a human sedative, it's used in operating rooms and ICUs. And remember those Thai kids that were trapped in the flooded cave? Each kid got a shot of Ketamine before the final rescue, it kept them quiet as heroic spent hours dragging them to safety through a dangerous flooded cave.

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#12

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Bubble wrap was invented as fancy wallpaper.

galactic-frog , David Maier Report

#13

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread WD-40 was developed as a rust preventative (it’s even in the initials: “WD” means “Water Displacement”). Nowadays people use it to lubricate mechanical parts.

bluebirdgm , FHKE Report

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ThatGuv
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great for removing stubborn, leftover glue after pulling the label off a jar.

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Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never use classic WD-40 as a lubricant. It does the exact opposite; it removes grease (as well as grime).

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LivingTheDream
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent comment. I have to tell people this all the time at work. It is NOT a replacement for light machine oil.

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Rissie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a bad lubricant, but it's great for cleaning. Many people don't understand that that is actually what they're doing. Cleaning it. And protecting it. Real squeeky things need actual lubricants that last a little longer.

samchilton avatar
Sam Chilton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I don't like using aerosols in general, but WD40 definitely is necessary for bike maintenance. Only lasts until it gets wet again though, so make sure to use grease to keep it working!

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Pamela Blue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oddly enough, I've read that people do massage WD40 onto arthritic joints and it's supposed to work. I have terribly arthritic knees. Perhaps I should try it and see if it's true.

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it doesn't move and it should: WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't: Duct tape

mphseti avatar
mph seti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's one of those things you need in your home. You won't use it every day, but damn is it useful in so many ways. Lubricant, solvent, restoration, repair...

gilesmcardell avatar
Giles McArdell
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still use it for that (as well lubricating) - Any equipment that gets wet - spray down with WD-40 before putting it away, keeps it from rusting.

master_minds9 avatar
denzoren
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's also used to prevent rust a lot of the time also. I've also seen it used to protect parts that shouldn't get wet in cars.

laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used it when my door lock keyhole got jammy (I live near the ocean so everything exposed gets rust etc), now it works like a charm in that it doesn't hold my key captive and refuse to let it go any more

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David Williams
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is not a lubricant! It is to clean stuff out before you oil it.

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Fus
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Correct with the WD meaning. As for the 40? The first 39 attempts at a working product failed.

suzn34 avatar
Susan Bosse
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a friend who goes by his initials are WD (first and middle - he's a jr). In sports, his number was always 40.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was waiting to see this one on the list. This, viagra and teflon are probably the most famous.

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Josh Tall
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my grandfather told me that it used to be made out of fish oil, and that they used to spay a little on their lures before casting

kb0569 avatar
Karl Baxter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Invented by Norm Larson of the San Diego Rocket Company in 1947. He sold them the rights in the late 50s and set up his own company allegedly developing a more superior product but, when he died suddenly in the early 70s, the company folded and the formula disappeared.

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Jovita A
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And finally for those who think that WD-40 is lubricant, they did release version of product which actually says lubricant on the can... I guess they just gave up :D

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Me
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My can of WD40 lists "Stops Squeaks" as the first of several uses.

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Mark Johansen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You only need 2 tools. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape.

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WorldNeedsReboot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it eventually becomes gunky and stops things from moving easily...

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another California invention from San Diego - first used WD-40 Multi-Use Product to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. Also falsely claimed to help sore joints by a fan rag. They ran an article claiming that WD-40 would help cure your arthritic joints, One woman took that to heart and after copiously applying it to her achy joints, totally screwed her body up royally and became a multi millionaire by suing the paper.

hlmorgan avatar
Big Chungus
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can also use it to get rid of wasp nests. You break the current one down and spray WD-40 where it was and they can't rebuild on that spot for a long time

jkastorff avatar
Jojo Dancer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You only need two tools: w-40 if it’s suppose to move but doesn’t; and duct tape if it does move but isn’t suppose to 😉

suitemsewing avatar
Megan Pippenger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, technically lubricating mechanical parts is one way of preventing rust, so it's still often being used indirectly for its original purpose, it was just discovered to work well for multiple purposes, I suppose.

mark_114 avatar
Mark Serbian, PK&RG,W
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've heard some people use it when cooking steak! Spray it right on the meat! Um ... Eeewww...?

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LivingTheDream
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It also doesn't contain fish oil and is horrible for lubricating bike chains.

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Juan Alcorta
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I´m not sure about this. Most people I´ve seen using it, they use it as a water displacement.

underwood213 avatar
F-Dup
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also a great gift for anyone you know with the initials WD on their 40th birthday. Witty AND practical.

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lara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is like the equivalent of "duct tape." [No it doesn't make things stick together.] It has so many uses that it should be called "wonder doer".

samc_1 avatar
Sam C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's also good for burns... apparently helps the healing process

theredqueen_1 avatar
the redqueen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Noooooooooo..........run under cold water always...or ice water......I know a lot of people swear by these things...butter is one, but cold water will take the " heat" out, and stop the tissue damage in the skin. PS. Not trying to argue with anyone, got nothin but love for ya...but always open minded for friendly debate if you think, or know otherwise.( hey-Sometimes you gotta update your views. )((Pss. but I think I am mostly correct on this one, lol)

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#14

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Pipe cleaners,

Use them for all sorts of arts and crafts as kids. It wasn't till I owned a tobacco pipe and went to buy them that it actually clicked

TouchedbyJebus , Cannabox Report

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underwood213 avatar
F-Dup
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my Jesus Christ. I haven’t thought about these since I was in primary school. Back then, I assumed the ‘pipe’ in pipe cleaner referred the things that ran along the walls of my house and I didn’t question it. It’s only now, reading this as a fully grown adult, that I realise it’s not that kind of pipe at all. That update has been pending for decades!

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#15

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread I think people already know this but the neck on the beer bottle is actually supposed to be held so you don’t warm your drink too fast.

bigbenis21 , Story Ninety-Four Report

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Michelle M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No thank you. I don't trust my clumsy hands to hold it steady at the neck.

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#16

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Iirc Play-Doh was invented to clean wallpaper

spacelordmthrfkr , Betsy Weber Report

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#17

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Gloveboxes were originally meant to store gloves because people used to drive with gloves on for some reason.

Yah-ThnPat-Thn , Mark Doliner Report

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People used to drive with at the very least - gloves, dust coats, goggles, and hats on, if not full face masks. Because cars didn't have roofs or windows and the roads weren't paved, anyone who drove the first cars was going to get all the dust, mud, or weather in the world in the face.

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#18

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Minoxidil was originally developed to treat high blood pressure and people reported unusual hair growth all around the body, since it promotes blood flow to the skin pores. They came up with a topical version and voila, millions of people smear that sh*t on their scalps and beards everyday and its the one of the only clinically proven ways to cure baldness.

LeagueOfLucian , amazon Report

#19

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Viagra. It’s a heart medicine originally.

VegetableWishbone , Syed Ikhwan Report

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's still used for some heart problems, and I have no idea if anyone who's sick enough to need it for medical reasons can still enjoy the side effects.

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#20

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Botox was created to treat migraines

lovejetblack , Sam Moqadam Report

#21

21 Products That Somehow Lost Their Original Purpose, As Shared In This Online Thread Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets used as informal databases instead of as a data analysis tool

rwilldred27 , Joe Anderson Report

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Suraj A R
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think MS Excel was always used as a data analysis tool, where as MS Access was used as an informal database since 1992

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