The Gloriously Useless: A History of 15 Pointless Products That Minted Millions In the wild, wacky world of consumerism, some of the most lucrative ideas are also the most laughably absurd. From rocks masquerading as pets to vibrating dumbbells that sparked giggles, these 15 products prove that with audacious marketing, impeccable timing, and a dash of absurdity, you can sell anything—and make millions. Below, we dive into the hilarious histories of these gloriously useless inventions, detailing their origins, cultural impacts, and the financial windfalls that turned nonsense into gold. Buckle up for a rollicking ride through entrepreneurial eccentricity, followed by a deeper philosophical reflection on why we buy into the bizarre and an annexure of 50 more products that didn’t make the cut. 1. Pet Rock (1975): The Rock That Rolled Into Riches In a Los Gatos bar in 1975, advertising copywriter Gary Dahl overheard friends griping about pet care. His epiphany? Sell a “pet” th...