Digital Home Thoughts: The 50 Worst Inventions?

"From the zany to the dangerous to the just plain dumb, here is TIME's list (in no particular order) of some of the world's bright ideas that just didn't work out."

We all need a good chuckle every now and then, and here is your opportunity to enjoy a few: Time's list of "The 50 Worst Inventions." The list ranges from serious mistakes - at least in hindsight - such as DDT and CFCs; through decent ideas that flopped in the marketplace (Betamax); and then on to downright silly inventions, such as Hair In A Can, Smell-o-Vision, and the Comfort Wipe. Lest you think that the article is entirely off-topic, please note that the technology field is well represented by such entries as the Nintendo Virtual Boy, Clippy, Smile Checks (!), Phone Fingers, and the CueCat (I actually have one of these, courtesy of Radio Shack, but have never found any use for it). For even more edification, you can check out Time's other lists, such as the "Top 10 Technology Bans," the "50 Best Websites 2010," or the "Top 10 Celebrity Sesame Street Songs - which has some topical relevance, given recent news reports.