101 Dumbest Ideas That Accidentally Made People Filthy Rich!

101 Stupid Ideas That Made People FILTHY RICH in America!
Ever laughed at a ridiculous idea... then watched it rake in millions? From fart apps to pet rocks with USB ports, we're counting down 101 of the dumbest ideas that somehow made Americans wildly rich. These aren't just flukes—they're proof that in the U.S., nonsense is a legit business model.

If you've ever said, “I could’ve thought of that!”—this video will either inspire you or break your spirit. Maybe both.

Which absurd invention would YOU invest in? Drop your pick in the comments and prepare to be roasted in the next one.

Get comfy, grab your emotional support cheddar, and let’s dive into the wild world of profitable stupidity.

[stanwolenski]

My Jeans were honestly ripped and worn out through wearing them while making a living. I didn’t realize I was a trend setter.

[eboyd]

That pet rock was a hoot. I helped stock the shelves of the department store I worked at and every employee was asking, who's going to buy that!

[cdnrednek]

Ripped jeans, I picked up a load of denim rags in Edmonton Ab and delivered it to a clothing factory in Los Angeles. I asked the receiver why the bought old ripped jeans, basically rags. He said they pay $10 a pound for them and after washing and pressing them, 75% of them ars sold for $200 to $300 a pair on Rodeo Drive. This was in the late 1990s to early 2000s.

[tbeck]

When I first saw the title, I immediately thought of Pet Rock.

This year, at a craft show, there were rocks with googly eyes

[laurakibben]

Considering the plethora of mostly American thought of crap, it's no wonder the Chinese caught on and developed TEMU 😏

[Turnbull]

The Slinky origin was seeing it going down steps not bouncing and you showed a car suspension spring at the start which had nothing to do with a slinky.

[jdlech]

Joe Elliot of Def Leppard noticed he had a tear in his jeans just before going on stage. So he took a razor blade and cut his jeans all up. Fans saw that and started taking razor blades to their own jeans as a fashion statement. Levi's noticed and started selling pre-cut jeans. Levi's did not invent the trend, they simply rolled with it.

This is the kind of history that disappears over time as memory fades and old people die off.

[kathleencandelaria]

I can say I have never bought any of these items. I'm thankful for not wasting money.

[AliceAttic]

I had a pet rock. The booklet was hysterical

[stanwolenski]

#12 a woman had me build a glass cabinet for her “soon to increase in value” Beanie Babies. I knew, while building the display case, the display case would be worth more.

[vinsanitynelson]

Another AI voiceover video. Lance Amstrong's bracelet Livestrong is the first example. WW II is dubja thoo and Most of the video is AI generated. We are going to be screwed in the near future.

[seanmalloy]

10:15 -- Actually, there is a niche purpose for antenna balls. In Canada and the northern United States, it's possible in extreme snow conditions for your car to wind up unrecognizable under a thick blanket of snow. A brightly-colored foam ball on your antenna will usually still be sticking up out of the snow, telling you where to dig to uncover your car, and having a distinctive one let you identify yours among several buried vehicles. The cutesy antenna ball craze that spawned from Jack in the Box's promotion, though, took it to an extreme.

[geofjones]

P. T . Barnum said, "No one ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the American people."

[miketwomey]

Jack in the Box never sold smiley face antenna balls. They were little versions of Jack's head.

[DreamDancer]

I KNEW the Pet Rock would be in here!
I got a Snuggie once, only because my bedroom was always FREEZING in the winter. Unfortunately, it didn't help much with warmth.
I used to collect Beanie Babies. I gave them all away, though. I didn't have any that were worth anything, anyway.
I like the Chia Pet commercials (and the cat Chia Pet is kinda cute).
I hated Wacky Wall Walkers, they creeped me out due to their spider-like appearance.
Now selling cans if air is the dumbest thing I ever heard. I can't believe people would be dumb enough to buy it!
I was a kid when Pogs were around, and I never understood the appeal.
I still have my childhood Cabbage Patch Kids. Five kids, two Preemies, and one Koosa.
I also don't understand the stupidity of the Tide Pod Challenge.
I love Grumpy Cat!

[KeepItReels]

I invented mixed juices and mixed cereals as a kid.

[mikehunt]

If you nail 2 things that never been nailed before, some schmuck will buy off you, George Carlin.

[geena_gee]

6:29 I'll never get wearing clogs out of the house as actual shoes.

[seanmalloy]

18:00 -- Edible glitter is actually older than dirt. The history of eating gold -- actual gold, not just some edible shiny material -- goes back around 5, 000 years in Egypt, China, Japan, and other Asian countries, and the use of gold leaf as a decoration on food was used in the Middle Ages in Europe as a sign of extreme luxury and prestige. While the actual amount of gold employed when used as edible decorative gold leaf is tiny, the amount of hand-work required to produce it keeps its cost elevated; edible glitter just brings this sort of wretched excess down to the masses.

[SharronCarolina]

Pool noodles are big craft items today.