Humanity has a talent for great ideas: TV, washing machines, and tasty food, to name just a few. However, our natural ingenuity also has a darker side, and we’ve come to regret many of our creations. Here are 20 scary inventions that are best to leave behind.
Nuclear Weapons
It’s been over 75 years since nuclear bombs were used, but this doesn’t make them any less terrifying. In fact, contemporary nuclear weapons are more destructive than ever. Nor are they easy to get rid of—the Arms Control Association estimates that there are over 12,500 in existence.
Iron Maidens
No, not the rock band—these torture devices were human-shaped cabinets lined with spikes, so anyone unlucky enough to be caught inside suffered a grisly fate. However, many historians argue that iron maidens weren’t that common. It’s reassuring to know that this nightmarish device was, for the most part, just that – a nightmare.
Biological Weapons
Flu season is always a challenge, but it could be even worse. Biological weapons are inventions that use superpowered pathogens or viruses to wipe out life on a massive scale. Technically, the Biological Weapons Convention outlaws their use, but it’s believed that many countries still have secret stockpiles.
Social Media
Social media has its perks but is also a minefield of misinformation, echo chambers, and radicalization. We all waste too much time mindlessly clicking, and doomscrolling is no good for our collective mental health. Social media is designed to be addictive—it’s scarily good at its job!
Pesticides
It’s easy to see why pesticides were once so popular. After all, insects and other pests can cause serious headaches for farmers, causing damage and driving up prices. Unfortunately, pesticides have a devastating impact on the environment as a whole, so they’re best forgotten in favor of other pest-control techniques.
Gun-Powered Mousetrap
Rodents are annoying, but we’re not sure that it’s necessary to go full Looney Tunes to deal with them! This 1882 invention took the Second Amendment to its logical conclusion by deploying lethal firepower against hungry mice. Once triggered (literally), any mouse unlucky enough to be caught in the crossfire was blown apart.
The Guillotine
The guillotine was especially scary if you were a member of the French royal family in 1793. These supposedly humane tools were used to execute aristocrats and other enemies of the French Revolution. Luckily, guillotines have fallen out of mainstream use—Brittanica reveals that even the French haven’t used their most famous invention since 1977.
Artificial Intelligence
If you ask an artist about scary inventions, they’ll probably mention artificial intelligence. AI has incredible potential, but it’s also putting jobs at risk around the world. Even worse, some AI skeptics worry that it’s only a matter of time before Amazon’s Alexa throws off her chains and enslaves us all!
Microplastics
Plastic is one of humanity’s most useful inventions, but it has some troubling consequences for our planet. When plastic products break down, microplastics are released. This might not seem like a problem, but once these poisonous pellets enter the ecosystem, they’re nearly impossible to get rid of.
Agent Orange
Agent Orange was a chemical weapon used during the Vietnam War. The Americans deployed this powerful defoliant to clear away the jungles where enemy troops were hiding. Unfortunately, Agent Orange had horrific effects on humans and wildlife, and parts of Vietnam are still suffering from the impact of this terrible weapon.
Asbestos Materials
Who would build a house out of poison? Just about everybody prior to the 1970s. Asbestos was once used as an insulator in American homes, but it had the unfortunate effect of killing homeowners by causing illnesses such as cancer. Since then, efforts have been made to outlaw it around the world.
The Sicilian Bull
You’ve heard of grilling a nice steak, but what about grilling a person inside a cow? This Ancient Greek torture device trapped victims inside a hollow bronze bull. A fire was then lit under the bull, cooking the prisoner to a very unpleasant medium rare.
Gunpowder
Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder for medicinal purposes—pretty ironic due to its main use! After all, gunpowder has killed millions of people throughout history. The invention of gunpowder is a lesson in unintended consequences, and it goes to show that even the most well-intentioned creations can leave terrifying legacies.
Cigarettes and Tobacco
The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco is responsible for over 8 million deaths per year. Despite this, cigarettes are still one of humanity’s most popular inventions. Their addictive nature and nicotine buzz make it difficult to quit even if the health risks are obvious, leaving smokers sleepwalking towards an early death.
Dating Apps
Dating apps have transformed the ways we find love—and not always for the better. Many users complain that dating apps have turned the search for romance into a soul-destroying full-time job. In fact, the younger generations are now revolting against dating apps and are idealizing the nostalgia factor of meeting someone in person.
Single-Use Plastics
Single-use plastics are cheap, convenient, and easy to manufacture. Unfortunately, they’re also destroying the planet. Because most single-use plastics can’t be recycled, they have to be buried deep underground once they’re thrown away, and this can result in dangerous chemicals being leeched into the surrounding soil.
Fossil Fuels
The device you’re using to read this list is probably powered by fossil fuels. However, this energy source (which is also used to make plastics) pollutes the environment when burned. The scariest thing about fossil fuels is just how essential they are to our lives—kicking the habit is far easier said than done.
Coffee Pods
Everyone loves a cup of Joe, but it can come at a high price if you use coffee pods. Manufacturing these plastic pods generates dangerous amounts of emissions. NPR points out that while scientists are split about just how scary coffee pods really are, many advise cutting back.
Lead Pipes
Where does your refreshing glass of iced water come from? Scarily, our H2O used to reach our faucets via lead pipes, which were popular until the 1930s. As a result, particles of this poisonous metal ended up in people’s bodies, causing stomach cramps, headaches, and fatigue.
Radium Paint
Long before mobile phones became the go-to way to tell the time, radium paint was used to make watches glow in the dark. Unfortunately, the factory workers painting these timepieces were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation from the radium. We’re glad that employers now take workplace safety more seriously!
Up Next: 20 Seriously Stunning Natural Wonders Across America
Geological wonders, diverse ecosystems, and impressive waterfalls—the U.S. is home to a huge range of breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders across its many national parks and attractions. Head to these 20 locations for true natural beauty and never-ending adventure opportunities.
20 Seriously Stunning Natural Wonders Across America
17 Places That Undercover Cops Will Always Monitor
While it isn’t always obvious, undercover cops play a crucial role in maintaining public safety. They blend into the background in various locations, carefully observing and acting to prevent crime. In this article, we’ll reveal 17 places where you’re likely to find undercover cops—though you can bet you won’t see them!
17 Places That Undercover Cops Will Always Monitor
17 Things You’re Just Too Old To Be Doing Anymore
The older you get, the more fragile you are physically and mentally, so it’s important to prioritize your well-being every day. Whether you still feel young at 50 or are closer to 80, we’ve compiled 17 things you’re too old to be doing anymore.