Only a select few products or inventions go on to have great success on the market. Despite their perceived utility and quality, some products never take off, for whatever reason. Others are just impractical or expensive, making them unviable for many customers. Here are some of the wackiest inventions to have hit the shelves in recent years, only to fade into obscurity.

The radio newspaper

In 1939, excitement grew when news arose that households could have their newspapers transmitted to them. The premise was simple – the radio device would receive the information from a central transmitter, which could then be printed onto a 9-foot piece of paper. Each page took 15 minutes to print and then had to be cut and folded. Those days, 15 minutes was considered rapid; however, the premise never gained traction. The device, however, was instrumental in the development of an office gem – the fax machine.

Wink glasses

Masunaga, a Japanese tech manufacturer, developed a “revolutionary” pair of glasses that monitor how often your eyes blink. With people spending hours staring at screens (whether it be for work or recreation), eye health has become a significant concern for health professionals. The glasses would fog if you weren’t blinking enough, encouraging the wearer to blink at a quicker rate. Why didn’t it work? Well, the price was insane, and users complained of the device being impractical and annoying.

Boiled egg squarer

Who would have thought that this would exist? If boiling your eggs normally isn’t quite up to your speed, then check out the boiled egg squarer. Who doesn’t love a cube-shaped egg for breakfast? It’s easier to cut, won’t roll around on your plate and you can even line up the egg slices against the corners of your toast We still can’t fathom the value of this.

The market for smart televisions has grown astronomically over the last decade. Because of the ridiculous level of competitions, customers have ultimately benefited. There’s now more to choose from at lower prices from reputable brands. If you’re in the market for a new television, here are the best smart televisions available.

#1 Samsung Q95T

The Samsung Q95T is the motherload of all televisions. It comes in three sizes; 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch. It is currently Samsung’s flagship smart TV, and it’s easy to see why, with its superb quality, impressive HDR performance and comprehensive functionality. The one drawback? Well, all good things come at a price, and the Samsung Q95T is no exception. You can expect to pay somewhere between $3000 to $4000 for this one.

#2 Sony Bravia A8G OLED

Sony has been manufacturing excellent smart TVs for years now, and their Bravia range continues to deliver. Their latest Bravia addition is one of the best Sony has released. One thing that Sony has always done well is their motion processing, and the Bravia A8G continues this trend, with some of the best motion processing in the industry. Users will also benefit from some ultra-customisation functions; however, there has been some criticism of mediocre sound quality. Nonetheless, it’s still one of the best smart televisions going around.

#3 LG B9 OLED Series

The LG B9 is a great, affordable smart television. It is one of the cheapest smart TVs available in Australia but can still deliver 95% of premium smart TV functionality. While you’re not getting the same experience as the more premium devices, if you’re on a strict budget, the B9 should be at the top of your list.

#4 Samsung Q70R QLED

This is one of Samsung’s mid-range televisions and proves that Samsung is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. It boasts exceptional contrast and an excellent internal system.

For years, technology evolved and developed at a glacial pace. However, the speed of this development has grown exponentially, especially since the early 1990s. As a result, the first decade of the 21^st century saw some of the most ground-breaking, innovative tech products become mainstream, changing our lives forever. Here are some of the most seminal and notable!

The Apple iPod (2001)

In 2001, the iPod irrevocably changed how people can listen to music, podcasts and other audio mediums. While the MP3 had existed for a while, its storage capabilities were limited. The iPod, on the other hand, represented the first time that music lovers could feasibly carry their entire music collection wherever they went.

Facebook (2004)

The origins of Facebook are contentious; we all know that. But in 2004, Mark Zuckerberg officially founded TheFacebook. Facebook has been the driving force behind social media and its influence in changing the way we communicate, both socially and professionally. It’s a place to talk, share ideas and build communities.

Airbnb (2008)

Airbnb emerged on the scene in 2008 and was a clear sign that our tech industries were changing. Credited with ushering in the “sharing economy”, Airbnb has had a massive impact on how people view housing, zoning and land laws. Its rise in popularity has forced local, national and international jurisdictions across the world to rethink their land law policies. Its CEO, Brian Chesky, is worth more than $3 billion US.

Fitbit (2009)

The last entry into our list is the Fitbit. The device was one of the first “exercise” watches and has been praised for encouraging millions of people across the world to be more mindful of their daily exercise routines. While the device now faces hefty competition from other firms (like the Apple Watch), there’s no doubt that the Fitbit has had a massive impact on how we exercise and train.