Post Quiz: Zweckentfremdung

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What do you know about the history of everyday items?

Post Quiz: Zweckentfremdung

Zweckentfremdung: Wrongful use, misappropriation. Each of these inventions was originally intended for a different purpose from the one for which it became famous. Match the invention to the description.

DescriptionInvention
  1. This was originally intended as a tonic for anxiety, headaches and drug dependence.
  2. Before it was hijacked by the music industry, this tool was designed to find oil.
  3. This cleaning product was initially marketed as a contraceptive douche.
  4. Few people know that this was supposed to clean wallpaper.
  5. This product was an epic fail as wallpaper.
  6. First it was a surgical antiseptic. Then it was supposed to cure gonorrhea. Or maybe dandruff...whatever.
    You can find it with the mouthwashes these days.
  7. Well, it didn't work as an aerospace adhesive. But it was great for leaving notes on doors.
  8. This was an emergency wound-sealer in the Vietnam War. You probably use it for home repair.
  9. It started out as an instrument stabiliser for ships at sea.
  10. This very old invention was intended by the Chinese as an elixir of immortality. Or maybe an insecticide.
  • Listerine.
  • Gunpowder.
  • Slinky.
  • Lysol.
  • Coca-Cola.
  • Bubble wrap.
  • Super Glue.
  • Post-It notes.
  • Play-Doh.
  • Autotune.

    • Weirded out? Wait until you see the answers. Click the image.

    Stills from Edison's Kinetoscopic 1894 film record of a sneeze.
    Click for answers.
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