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Sweden’s new ‘Museum of Failure’ to feature New Coke, Blockbuster Video, Google Glass

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Posted on by Michael Gavin
The classic Sony Betamax C7 video cassette recorder sits on a blue circular display, capturing the nostalgia of retro technology—like an iconic exhibit you’d discover in a museum celebrating pop culture’s quirky inventions.

Not everything goes as planned. The Museum of Failures is here to help with that reminder. Opening on June 7th this Helsingborg, Sweden museum will feature displays of man’s biggest flops. Don’t worry if you don’t speak Swedish, items are also presented in English.

This gathering of glowing disappointments is the brainchild of Dr. Samuel West.  West was drawn to how and why of failed ventures to point where he began to collect examples of those ill-fated innovations.  Recently, six of these past-over products was shown at a London conference.  The display’s reception was met with rave reviews, prompting the promotion of permanent placement of a Museum of Failure in Sweden.

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“Museum of Failure is a collection of interesting innovation failures. The majority of all innovation projects fail and the museum showcases these failures to provide visitors a fascinating learning experience. The collection consists of over sixty failed products and services from around the world. Every item provides unique insight into the risky business of innovation.” – Museum of Failure website.

A vintage red Coke II can with white and blue accents rests on its side, reminiscent of the bold ‘New Coke’ era—a fizzy blast from the past that now takes center stage in pop culture exhibits like those at theme park museums, where nostalgic brands make a comeback alongside other memorable attractions.

Many of the failed items on display are precursors to huge successes.  Included in the tribute to dead end ideas are items like the Newton, Apple’s forerunner to the iPhone.

A guest at EPCOT holds up an Apple MessagePad 120 PDA, its screen and Apple logo shining as a retro tech throwback, reminiscent of the whimsical futuristic gadgets once showcased in Innoventions.

Other interesting items include the Sony Betamax, Google Glass and Harley-Davidson perfume.

The classic Sony Betamax C7 video cassette recorder sits on a blue circular display, capturing the nostalgia of retro technology—like an iconic exhibit you’d discover in a museum celebrating pop culture’s quirky inventions.

In the midst of a souvenir shop styled like an epic Harley-Davidson ride, a guest picks up a box of “Legendary Harley-Davidson Eau de Toilette”—bold red and black with the iconic winged logo—calling to mind quirky collector’s items or novelty fragrances you might spot in museum-style exhibitions celebrating memorable pop culture missteps.

Some concepts merely gave way to the future like the VHS rental chain Blockbuster, represented by a video cassette case.

Blockbuster Video VHS tape of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” with its familiar label and price sticker sits on a wood surface—an instant hit of nostalgia for anyone who remembers lining up for Disney movie nights or experiencing the magic at Epcot’s Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. This vintage treasure celebrates classic family fun and belongs right alongside theme park memorabilia in an entertainment history showcase.

Other items include a Bic pen targeted at women: Bic for Her; toothpaste from a weapons manufacturer and the Nokia-N -a poorly designed video game/cellphone device.A guest at EPCOT holds a two-pack of BIC “for Her” pens in vibrant purple and pink packaging adorned with floral designs—one of those unforgettable themed souvenirs, now on display alongside legendary pop culture flops like New Coke and Google Glass in the Museum of Failure exhibit.

A theme park guest immerses themselves in nostalgia, holding the quirky Nokia N-Gage to their ear—its playful sideways design making a fun throwback, much like spotting retired attractions or rare movie props highlighted in special exhibitions celebrating entertainment’s memorable flops.

There’s even a copy of a special Trump edition of monopoly.

Monopoly Trump Collector’s Edition game box on display, gleaming with a gold background and cityscape artwork—an eye-catching collectible evoking the bold spectacle of themed attractions and memorable limited editions, like icons now celebrated in entertainment history exhibits such as the Museum of Failure.
photo courtesy of eBay

The Museum of Failure opens in mid-June.  Hours will be Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 6pm.  Admission is free.  The museum welcomes your suggestions on items that should be added to current library of 60 failed innovations; contact them via email.

A pop-up version of the museum is now travelling around the world.  The next U.S. stop will be at Art Basel Miami December 7-10.

What epic commercial failures stand out in your memory?  We’d love to hear what items you think should be on display at the Museum of Failure; please post them in the comments below.

Source: Museum of Failure website and Facebook page

in Entertainment, Technology

Michael Gavin

Photographer, Writer, Actor. Armchair historian and Halloween fiend, often found wandering cemeteries, camera in hand or directing/shooting fiendishly fun photo shoots and shooting fan conventions like Omni Fandom Expo. Michael has had his images and stories published in Playboy, Forbes, The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Weekly and St Augustine Entertainer. He now resides with his wife and three cats, in Jacksonville FL

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