16 Public Fails That Secretly Led to Massive Successes
We tend to celebrate success stories while glossing over the messy parts—the failures, setbacks, and public embarrassments that preceded them. Yet history shows that some of the most spectacular failures have directly paved the way for world-changing innovations and achievements.
These moments of apparent disaster often contain the seeds of future triumph. Behind many celebrated successes lies a foundation built on spectacular public failures.
Here is a list of 16 public fails that secretly led to massive successes while everyone was busy laughing or pointing fingers.
Post-it Notes
The adhesive used in Post-it Notes was initially considered a complete failure at 3M. Scientist Spencer Silver developed a weak adhesive that wouldn’t permanently stick to surfaces—the exact opposite of what the company wanted.
This ‘failure’ sat unused for years until colleague Art Fry realized it could solve his problem of bookmarks falling out of his hymnal. The result became one of 3M’s most profitable products ever, revolutionizing office communication.
WD-40
This household staple earned its name from 39 consecutive failures. The Rocket Chemical Company was trying to create a rust-prevention solvent for aerospace equipment, naming their successful formula ‘Water Displacement – 40th Attempt.’
Those 39 prior failed formulations led to a product now found in approximately 80% of American homes. Sometimes persistence through repeated public failure is the only path to a breakthrough.
Viagra
Pfizer originally developed the drug as a treatment for angina and hypertension, but clinical trials showed it was ineffective for these conditions. However, male test subjects reported an unexpected side effect—improved erections.
This ‘failed’ heart medication was repurposed and became one of the most financially successful pharmaceutical products in history, generating billions in revenue while treating erectile dysfunction worldwide.
The Slinky
Naval engineer Richard James was developing springs to stabilize sensitive equipment on ships when one of his prototypes fell off a shelf. Instead of staying in place, it ‘walked’ down in an oddly mesmerizing way.
This failed stabilization device became the Slinky, selling over 300 million units and becoming an iconic toy. The company James and his wife founded has thrived for over 70 years based on this happy accident.
Bubble Wrap
Engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes were attempting to create textured wallpaper in 1957. Their process of sealing two shower curtains together created a sheet of bubbles that utterly failed as wallpaper.
After additional failed marketing attempts as greenhouse insulation, the material finally found its purpose as protective packaging. This series of commercial failures eventually created a billion-dollar product and an irresistible stress-reliever.
Dyson Vacuum
James Dyson created 5,126 failed prototypes before successfully developing his bagless vacuum cleaner. Established manufacturers rejected his revolutionary design, forcing him to launch his own company.
This extended string of failures and rejections led to Dyson becoming a household name and a billionaire. His company now dominates the high-end vacuum market precisely because he used each failure as a stepping stone.
Columbus’s Navigation Error
Christopher Columbus made perhaps history’s most famous navigational error when he set sail for Asia but landed in the Americas instead. This massive geographical miscalculation changed world history, initiating European colonization of the Americas and the Columbian Exchange of plants, animals, technology, and diseases between hemispheres.
While Columbus died believing he had reached Asia, his error reshaped global civilization.
Apple’s Newton
Apple’s first attempt at a personal digital assistant in 1993 was widely ridiculed for its poor handwriting recognition and high price. The Newton became synonymous with tech failure and was eventually discontinued.
However, its development directly influenced Apple’s later successful mobile devices, including the iPhone. Many Newton team members and technologies later contributed to Apple’s mobile revolution that transformed modern life.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Construction of this iconic tower was a textbook architectural failure. The foundation began sinking into soft soil on one side shortly after construction began in 1173.
Despite numerous attempts to correct the problem, engineers couldn’t prevent the tilt. Today, this monumental failure attracts over a million tourists annually, generating substantial revenue for Pisa.
Coca-Cola’s New Coke
In 1985, Coca-Cola replaced its original formula with ‘New Coke’ in response to Pepsi’s market gains. Consumers revolted, and the company faced immediate backlash.
Within 79 days, they reintroduced the original formula as ‘Coca-Cola Classic.’ This marketing disaster actually revitalized interest in the brand, increasing sales and emotional connection with consumers.
Nintendo’s Playing Cards
Nintendo began as a playing card company in 1889 but faced declining sales as the market shrank. Their attempts to diversify included failed ventures like instant rice, taxi services, and love hotels.
These public failures forced Nintendo to reconsider its business model entirely, eventually leading to its focus on toys and electronic games. This pivot transformed a struggling card company into a global entertainment powerhouse.
Thomas Edison’s Light Bulb
Edison famously created thousands of failed prototypes before developing a commercially viable light bulb. When a reporter asked about his failures, Edison reportedly replied, ‘I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.’
Each failed attempt provided valuable data that eventually led to success. His methodical approach to failure transformed illumination technology and established principles of research and development still used today.
Pacemaker
Wilson Greatbatch was working on a device to record heart rhythms when he accidentally installed the wrong resistor. Instead of recording heartbeats, his device created electrical pulses that could regulate them.
This engineering mistake led directly to the implantable cardiac pacemaker, which has saved millions of lives. A simple component error resulted in one of medicine’s most important devices.
YouTube
The platform launched in 2005 as a video dating service called ‘Tune In Hook Up,’ where users could upload videos introducing themselves. This concept failed completely, attracting few users.
The founders pivoted to a general video-sharing platform instead, which Google purchased for $1.65 billion just 18 months later. This failed dating site transformed into the world’s largest video platform with billions of users.
Wrigley’s Gum
William Wrigley Jr. initially sold soap and baking powder, offering free chewing gum as a promotion. When he realized customers were more interested in the giveaway than his actual products, he recognized his main business was failing.
Wrigley switched to producing gum full-time, building one of America’s most successful confectionery companies. His promotional afterthought became his legacy and a global brand.
The social media giant evolved from a failed podcasting platform called Odeo. When Apple announced iTunes would include podcasting, Odeo became instantly obsolete.
In a desperate hackathon to find new direction, employee Jack Dorsey proposed a simple status-updating service. This pivot from Odeo’s failure created one of the world’s most influential communication platforms, fundamentally changing how information spreads globally.
The Hidden Path to Innovation
The journey from failure to success rarely follows a straight line. These examples demonstrate that public embarrassment, ridicule, and apparent disaster often contain the seeds of future triumph.
Innovation frequently emerges not from flawless execution but from the ability to extract value from failure. What these sixteen cases reveal is that success doesn’t require avoiding failure—it demands paying attention to what your failures are trying to teach you.
The next time you encounter a spectacular failure, remember it might not be an ending but rather the unexpected beginning of something remarkable.
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