Elon Musk once said, “Failure is an option here. If you are not failing, you are not innovating enough.” Fittingly open in the heart of Hollywood where dreams rise and fall every single day, the Museum of Failure exhibition celebrates some of the most epic failures of our time – from wack-a-doo food products and toys to questionable tech items and movies – all displayed with a totally cheeky sense of humor. It will leave you giggling, feeling nostalgic and who knows, may even inspire you and your kiddos to fearlessly swing for the fences when it comes to creating something new.
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The Concept:
Founded by Dr. Samuel West, a psychologist and innovation researcher, the wildly popular Museum of Failure originally debuted in downtown LA’s Arts District in Dec. of 2017 but moved to Hollywood and Highland in Mar. for a special limited engagement.
The exhibit encourages visitors both young and old to pursue their own ambitions without fear of failure as they explore some of the biggest product and service failures throughout history. Crystal Pepsi, we’re looking at you.
The Process:
It will take you about an hour to see everything in all its glory, but little ones will especially dig food product fails like Hostess Grizzly Chomps like fat-free chocolate flavored cakes with a single bite missing courtesy of the product’s Grizzly Bear mascot.
Or maybe Colgate Beef Lasagna (yes, the toothpaste company Colgate) is more their speed. Someone thought eating Colgate sponsored frozen meals then brushing with the brand’s toothpaste would be a swell marketing idea. Spoiler alert: It was not. Then there’s Heinz EZ Squirt for those of you who always dreamed of having your ketchup ooze bright day glow colors like Blastin’ Green or Funky Purple. Amazing it made it as far as it did right?!
Failed To Succeed:
Kiddos will especially love some of the hilarious and mind-boggling toy and tech fails as well. Hasbro’s Little Miss No Name doll was a big bomb for the company in 1965. Released by the toy brand as an alternative to Barbie, it aimed to teach little girls the realities of life for those less fortunate, Little Miss No Name was dressed in rags, barefoot and had a tear and outstretched hand waiting to be consoled for her current plight. Kids were terrified.
Then there was No More Woof, a wearable gadget you could strap to your pup’s head that translated dogs’ brainwaves into human language. Fido could now tell you things like, “I’m hungry, I’m tired, or You actually spent money on this?”
The Failing Finale:
The exhibition culminates with a “Theater of Failure” showing clips from your not-so-fave films and a “Failure Confessional” where guests can add their own personal stories of failure to the collection. We had plenty to share.
No-Fail Entry Details:
The exhibition runs through at least through the end of the summer.
Tickets: Available at the box office but we recommend saving time (and sanity) by purchasing in advance online.
Cost: $19 per person for guests 13 and older, $12 for kids aged 6-12 and littles under age 6 are free.
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Parking: Parking is available in the Hollywood and Highland garage. Park up to two hours for $2 with a validated ticket from participating shops, restaurants, and clubs. As of now, the Museum of Failure doesn’t validate.
Museum of Failure
Hollywood & Highland
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles
323-672-8075
Online: failuremuseum.com
It’s hard to choose just one, but what’s your family’s favorite fail in the museum? Let us know in the comments below!
–Jennifer O’Brien
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