alright here's a mini infodump before i fall asleep for good:
orbeez were first invented to be used for gardening, they were meant to be used to absorb too much extra water in the soil, and they are biodegradable for this purpose! they're a semi solid gelatinous polymer, composed primarily of i believe polyvinyl alcohol(which I've worked with before,lots of fun to be had there) and their cells expand when exposed to water, the more water they are exposed to, the larger they grow and thus weaker they become so that even the slightest pressure would cause them to crumble.
the tangle fidget toys we all have come to know and love, were invented in the 80's, patented in 1981 after richard x zawits, was inspired by Tibetan infinite loop/knot art. they were first introduced and partnered with the slinky brand, and sold under the title of rubix tangle glow brights. i currently own the neon yellow model from this era of tangles, it does indeed infact glow in the dark rather well still, after all these years!!
playdough was first intended to be used as a wallpaper removal product!
bubblewrap was first intended as a way to add texture and protection onto wallpaper, but the product was rejected by every one the inventors pitched it to. once they realized that children enjoyed playing with it so much like a toy, they began marketing it as such to investors, and the business took off.
