11 Things That Were Hugely Hyped But Then Massively Flopped

In 2017, thousands of eager festivalgoers went to the Bahamas for what promised a luxury party with Instagram influencers and big artists like Migos, Blink-182, and Tyga.

Instead, festival attendees got stuck.They camped out in a makeshift construction site using rain-soaked mattresses, eating cold bread-and-cheese sandwiches. Headlining acts and A-listers did not appear.The headlining acts and A-listers were nonexistent. Attendees camped out in a makeshift construction site on rain-soaked mattresses and ate cold bread-and-cheese sandwiches.

Organizer Billy McFarland spent much money promoting the festival, including flying famous supermodels for a video shoot, and little time planning it.McFarland actually planned the festival.McFarland spent six to eight weeks planning a complex project that needed at least a year to complete.

McFarland called Fyre Festival biting off more than he could chew. He repeatedly lied to investors and misled ticket-buyers about the festival. He also cheated many Bahamian vendors who helped the event. McFarland eventually pleaded guilty to wire fraud and received a six-year prison sentence.Wire fraud.He was sentenced to six years in prison.

On April 21, 1986,Millions of TV viewers watched.watched host Geraldo Rivera and an excavation crew blast through concrete walls at the Lexington Hotel in Chicago, searching for a secret "vault" linked to gangster Al Capone.

Camera crews and onlookers, including Mr. T, watched the scene from the streets, hoping to see cadavers or cash inside. The contents turned out to be nothing.

The Lexington was a luxury hotel, opened in 1892 and built for the World's Columbian Exposition the next year. It hosted guests like Grover Cleveland and Booker T. Washington before Capone moved his headquarters to the fourth and fifth floors in 1928, supposedly running the place. Rumors mentioned secret tunnels and storage spaces for "Public Enemy No. 1."

Years before the vault opening,The Chicago Tribune reported.Journalists reported on a mysterious 6-by-6-foot concrete space under the hotel. A masonry expert thought the shoddy work was from the '30s and could not explain its existence.

In 1982, a nonprofit started work to restore the Lexington to its former state, renewing interest in the alleged vault.The Los Angeles Times covered it.A piece called it “Chicago’s equivalent of King Tutankhamun's tomb.” Tribune Entertainment picked up the story and hired Rivera, who recently left ABC, as the host for the live excavation.

Rivera expected the space to hold something.Something happened.But after the first blast, the digging continued and found only a few small glass bottles. Rivera recalled:

The program unfolded, and finding nothing seemed certain. A terrible sinking feeling hit. "My God, the whole world is watching." Approaching the low point of realizing nothing would be found, I thought my public life was over.

After the big letdown, Rivera worried. He skipped the after-party. He went to a Mexican restaurant with the excavation crew for tequila shots. Everyone watching saw this.The Mystery of Al Capone's VaultsThe event topped local TV ratings history. Three out of four Chicago televisions tuned into the event. It also gained national attention. Though no one found Capone's money, the ratings made the event a profitable venture.

The Lexington Hotel got torn down in the '90s.

In 2001, the tech world announced a top-secret invention. An eccentric millionaire created it. This invention would change the world.The invention, called "IT" then, got huge hype before people knew what it was. Steve Jobs said IT would be "as significant as the personal computer." Jeff Bezos called IT "revolutionary."The invention, called "IT" then, got huge hype before people understood what IT was. Steve Jobs claimed IT would be "as significant as the personal computer." Jeff Bezos called IT "revolutionary."

Dean Kamen unveiled his creation in December 2001 on Good Morning America: the Segway. Diane Sawyer reacted with doubt: "That's it? That can't be it."

As new technology, the Segway was innovative. The two-wheeled scooter moved based on human body motions. However, people did not need one. It aimed for general personal transport, yet people used cars or bikes and would not spend $5,000 on a scooter to haul into their office daily. Also, American cities lacked design for the Segway, meaning there was no practical way to drive, charge, or park it.As Bezos called the product "revolutionary," it was too much for the USA. Had the Segway targeted smaller markets, like mall cops who use them now, the company might have succeeded.They planned to sell 10,000 Segways weekly, hitting $1 billion faster than any company. But the company sold under 10,000 units in the first two years.

Juicero aimed to capture the cold-pressed juicing craze.The Segway was innovative.The two-wheeled scooter moved using human body motions. However, few needed one. People used cars or bikes already. They would not spend $5,000 on a scooter to carry into their office daily. Also, American cities lacked design for the Segway, so driving, charging, or parking it proved difficult.

Bezos predicted the product was "revolutionary." He felt it was too much for the USA. Segway might have succeeded if it targeted smaller markets, like mall cops who use them now.

In 2016, Silicon Valley juice start-up Juicero launched with high expectations after securing $120 million from investors. Sixteen months later, Juicero ran out of juice. The company shut down in 2017.

Juicero aimed to capture the cold-pressed juicing crazeThe Juicero was a Wi-Fi juicer. It used "produce packs" for "farm to glass" juice. You put the pre-chopped fruit and veggies from the pack into the Juicero. The machine then poured fresh juice with the push of a button.Doug Evans founded Juicero.Evans compared himself to Steve Jobs. He called the machine "the first at-home cold-pressed juicing system." This sleek $400 machine aimed for 3 to 4 tons of pressure, enough to lift two Teslas.

In April 2017, Bloomberg News released a video.The video showed the Juicero's produce packs did not need the $400 machine. People could squeeze the juice packs by hand into a glass. The company quickly said Juicero had other uses. It also scanned a QR code on the pack to check if juice expired. Alternatively, you could check the expiration date on the juice pack.Doug Evans showed that Juicero produce packs did not need the $400 machine. People could squeeze the juice packs by hand into a glass. The company quickly pointed out Juicero offered more uses than just squeezing juice. The packs also had a QR code to check if the juice expired. You could check the expiration date right on the pack.

In 1992, Pepsi marketing executive David Novak had a lightbulb idea. Novak saw the recent popularity of caffeine-free sodas like Slice and clear sodas like Clearly Canadian. He thought if he could make a Pepsi-Cola product that was both, he would succeed.

In 1992, Pepsi marketing executive David Novak.Food scientist Surinder Kumar, who helped with the project (he is the mind behind Nacho Cheese Doritos), had doubts. Brown cola colors stop sunlight from spoiling the drink, which is why drinks like Sprite and 7UP use green bottles. Kumar was supposed to make a clear version of caramel-flavored Pepsi but could not access the original Pepsi recipe. Kumar also opposed marketing Crystal Pepsi as a healthier "pure" option because it had similar calories and used high-fructose corn syrup.Novak saw the recent success of caffeine-free sodas like Slice and clear sodas like Clearly Canadian. He thought creating a Pepsi-Cola product that was both would succeed.

The team aimed to make a clear, caffeine-free soda that tasted like original Pepsi. Making the bottle clear was also very important to display the new look.

Food scientist Surinder Kumar, the mind behind Nacho Cheese Doritos, joined the project but had doubts. The brown color of cola stops sunlight from spoiling the drink; this is why clear drinks like Sprite and 7UP use green bottles. Kumar was supposed to make a clear version of caramel-flavored Pepsi, but he lacked access to the original Pepsi recipe. Kumar also pushed back against marketing Crystal Pepsi as a healthier 'pure' option. Crystal Pepsi had similar calories and used high-fructose corn syrup.

Despite these problems, Kumar developed a recipe, and Crystal Pepsi reached the market fast. A commercial aired during the 1993 Super Bowl. Soon, soda sold quickly across the country. Many people wanted to try it—at least once.

Crystal Pepsi had a simple problem: it did not taste good. Kumar lacked time to fix the recipe, leaving an off-flavor that missed regular Pepsi. The bottling issue also hurt. In the nine months between Novak's pitch and the launch, the company could not test the product's shelf life. Sunlight actually caused Crystal Pepsi to spoil. Low sales showed that Crystal Pepsi succeeded as a fad, but consumers quickly returned to their usual brown soda.

Despite initial excitement, Crystal Pepsi became one of the biggest product failures.It was one of the biggest product failures of all time.

Google+, one of the search giant's social media attempts, seemed like a good idea when it launched in 2011.Google+ was the social network.integrated with all Google services. Users could sort friends into "Circles" for group video chats or "Hangouts."

Google+ started as an invite-only platform. The company kept this rule too long because few people joined or used the social network. Google+ also had strict rules requiring real names only. Not everyone wants their real name and email linked to social media. These issues, plus a bad user experience—you had to "Plus One" a post instead of "liking" it—ruined Google+ from the start.

Google+ arrived too late. By 2011, Facebook and Twitter were already huge social media platforms, and Google+ offered nothing new. Google held onto Google+ until 2018, when a bug caused a private data leak. The company told everyone it was minor; no one used Google+ anyway.

In the 1990s, Beanie Babies became a popular childhood toy.A secondary market for the collectible plush animals soon made them a long-term investment for adults that did not pay off.The collectible plush animals soon made them a long-term investment for adults that did not pay off.

Founder Ty Warner used clever marketing to boost Beanie Baby demand. He sold them in small batches to local stores, avoiding mass production at places like Toys "R" Us or Walmart. Warner also randomly retired some Beanie Babies, creating mystery about which one might become rare.

At the peak of the Beanie Baby bubble in the late '90s, Ty Warner's employee Andi Van Guilder wrote about it in Zac Bissonnette's bookThe Great Beanie Baby Bubble saw Beanie Babies supposed to skyrocket in value., the toy had become"something really cute that just brought out the worst in people," as groups of "creepy belligerent men" stormed stores for the latest release. The hype also matched the internet's arrival. At its peak, Beanie Babies made over 6% of sales on eBay.

Warner became a billionaire selling Beanie Babies. Sensing the bubble burst, he stopped manufacturing them before 2000. Kids chased other toy fads in the new millennium. Beanie Babies dropped below their $5 price.

The internet and the new millennium fueled the Beanie Babies obsession. Excitement for a new era where "anything is possible" created an overly optimistic crowd on the toys.Another economic theory suggests people get fixated on a product, thinking they found the success secret. This turns to "revulsion" when the bubble pops, showing they spent thousands on a cheap toy called "Peanut the Elephant."People get hooked on a product, thinking they found the success secret. Then, the bubble pops. They realize they spent thousands on a cheap toy, "Peanut the Elephant." This creates revulsion.

In 1999, country superstar Garth Brooks tried being a rock star. Brooks debuted a "greatest hits album" of his.He created a new rock alter ego.: Chris Gaines (AKA Garth Brooks rocking a wig and a soul patch). Crickets followed this.

Who was Chris Gaines besides Garth Brooks in costume? The persona and backstory got Brooks fans interested in country music from another genre. It also promoted Brooks's new movie with Paramount Pictures.The LambSet for release the next year,

The Lamb.The LambThe studio planned for Garth Brooks to star as Chris Gaines. They thought a Gaines album would introduce the character and create buzz for the film. Instead, it caused much confusion., fans did not think Brooks played a role; they thought he had lost his mind.Fans did not think [Brooks] was in a role. They simply thought he had lost his mind.

Garth Brooks in... the Life of Chris Gaines, was not a major failure. It did not match Brooks's other albums' success, nor did it meet Paramount's high expectations. Brooks made Garth Brooks in... the Life of Chris Gaines, did not fail completely. It did not match the success of Brooks's other albums. It missed Paramount's high expectations. Though Brooks madeIn 1993, the as Gaines,The LambThe Lamb was scrapped. The imaginary rocker became a strange brief mention in Brooks's career.

In 1993, theLate Show with David LettermanThe Chevy Chase Show.Late Night with Conan O'BrienFox hoped to join the late-night scene that year with its own hit show. The network's first host pick was Dolly Parton. When that failed, the company chose Chase.The actor built a name on Saturday Night Live.The Chevy Chase Show.

Fox wanted a late-night hit that year. The network first picked Dolly Parton. When that failed, the company chose Chase.

The actor built a name onSaturday Night LiveChase proved funny but difficult to work with. After peak film success in the '80s, Chase saw box-office misses in the '90s before Fox planned late-night ratings gold for him. The network paid him $3 million and built him a theater, and he made giant advertisements.Chase made giant advertisements.Chase showed off his gap-toothed grin, ready to fill the late-night gap.

Chase possessed the comedic skill for SNL and Caddyshack.Chase had comedic chops for SNL.Chase had comedic chops for SNL and Caddyshack.Chase had comedic chops for Caddyshack.Chase's talk show stint failed. Lackluster interviews, like a segment with Goldie Hawn, alienated the audience.A segment with Goldie Hawn showed lackluster interviews.The duo came off as celebrity pals taking an inside trip down memory lane, which alienated the audience. That's not even mentioning the still-discussed "dance party."

Chase's "News Update" segment copied SNL.Chase's "News Update" segment was a rip-off of SNL.Chase flubbed many punchlines in "Weekend Update." As a host, he acted nervous and awkward.Chase hosted Tonight Show.Chase hosted a giant Johnny Carson.Chase said "couldn't ad-lib a fart after a baked-bean dinner."Critics agreed with Chase's comment: "couldn't ad-lib a fart after a baked-bean dinner."Time reviewed the show.Time's harsh assessment stated, "Nervous and totally at sea, Chase tried everything, succeeded at nothing."

Fox promised advertisers 5 million viewers per episode, but the show averaged under 3 million. Fox canceled the show after five weeks. Fox seems permanently scarred; the network has not tried a nightly talk show since. Chase later blamed Fox, saying he wanted an experimental variety show like Ernie Kovacs, not celebrity interviews.

Late in 1916, Gen. Robert Nivelle became commander-in-chief of the French armies on the Western Front in WWI. In 1917, heNivelle came up with a plan in 1917.Nivelle's plan would break through the German trench system. Allied forces struggled for three years, and past attacks, like the Somme campaign, caused high casualty rates.

Nivelle planned a massive assault using 1.2 million men to break German lines. French troops would push in the Aisne region, with British troops supporting at Arras, Vimy Ridge, and Bullecourt on the Hidenburg Line. Nivelle planned to use artillery differently than the failed Somme offensive.

Newly developed tanks would use artillery fire to shield advancing soldiers. Nivelle boasted about his strategy, claiming it would end WWI in 48 hours with only 10,000 Allied casualties.

Germans knew the location beforehand, reinforced their troops, and built more trenches. Few French tanks proved too slow and weak to change the outcome. The Nivelle offensive lasted three weeks, from April into May. The casualty count reached over 300,000 instead of 10,000.

French divisions started mutiny in early May. Eventually, 68 divisions revolted in some way.Stories show the failed campaign.French troops showed up drunk without weapons on the front lines.

Nivelle ended the offensive but was still fired. They captured about 20,000 Germans and 147 German artillery devices, but Nivelle greatly overestimated the attack's success. This made it look like a disaster and a warning for future commanders. Nivelle should have stopped losing ground sooner; many lives might have been saved.

Before the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Reebok made an advertising campaign that seemed perfect. The company had recently lost its short-lived edge to Nike; it needed more than a normal shoe ad—it needed a pop-culture event.

Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson, two Americans favored for Olympic gold in the decathlon, entered the picture. Both athletes were strong in track and field but mostly unknown to Americans. Reebok decided to sign both athletes and create the biggest national rivalry since the Cola wars: Dan versus Dave.Who might win?No one guessed. Johnson held a 3-2 lead over O'Brien in direct competition, yet O'Brien had a better best score in the decathlon.

Reebok ran a $30 million ad campaign during the 1992 Super Bowl.The ads.Showed both decathletes wearing Reeboks, displayed their competing stats, and kept saying, "This summer they'll battle it out in Barcelona for the title of World's Greatest Athlete."

ButFive weeks before the OlympicsAt the US Olympic trials, O'Brien performed poorly in the pole vault and did not qualify. The ads then switched to show O'Brien cheering for Johnson instead. Perhaps becoming household names created pressure; Johnson took bronze instead of gold in Barcelona. O'Brien later reached the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and won gold. Nike later endorsed him.

The Dan-versus-Dave rivalry disappointed American viewers, but it was still a successful ad campaign for Reebok. O'Brien and Johnson stay friendly former competitors and talk.