20 Useless Ways Humans Once Tried to Solve a Problem

From radium-infused cosmetics to the Edsel car, history is full of misguided attempts to fix issues.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly stylized, repeating grid of a vintage glass bottle or jar filled with a glowing, neon-colored liquid, conceptually representing the dangerous misunderstandings about radioactivity in the early years of its use.A pop art tribute to the once-touted, but ultimately harmful, radium-infused health tonics of the early 20th century.Tacoma Today

This article explores 20 historical examples of humans trying to solve problems in ways that ultimately made the situation worse. From the 'Dancing Plague' in 1518 to the failure of the Segway and Google Glass, the piece highlights how well-intentioned solutions can backfire due to a lack of understanding or foresight.

Why it matters

This story provides important historical context on how humans have often struggled to effectively address challenges, even with the best intentions. It serves as a cautionary tale about the need for thorough research, testing, and consideration of unintended consequences before implementing new solutions, whether in medicine, technology, or public policy.

The details

The article covers a wide range of examples from different eras, including the use of radium in cosmetics, the marketing of DDT and cigarettes as health products, the failure of the Edsel car, and the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. In each case, the proposed solution ended up causing more harm than good, often due to a lack of scientific understanding or an overconfidence in the effectiveness of the approach.

  • In the 1910s and 1920s, radium-infused cosmetics and health tonics were marketed as rejuvenating products.
  • During the mid-20th century, DDT was used to combat mosquitoes and agricultural pests.
  • The United States' Prohibition era lasted from 1920 to 1933.
  • In 1518, the 'Dancing Plague' outbreak occurred in Strasbourg.
  • The Segway was unveiled in 2001.

The players

Dean Kamen

The inventor of the Segway, who envisioned cities being redesigned around the device.

Ford

The automaker that introduced the ill-fated Edsel car in 1957.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Historically, humans have proven to be not very clever (at times, at least). They did things that were meant to be a solution, but everything got worse.”

— Micaela Montaña, Author

The takeaway

This article serves as a powerful reminder that even well-intentioned solutions can have unintended consequences, and that thorough research, testing, and consideration of potential downsides are essential before implementing new ideas or technologies. It highlights the importance of humility and caution when attempting to solve complex problems, as history has shown that overconfidence and a lack of foresight can often lead to disastrous results.