Genius or Stupid? History Says: Yes.

In this episode of Squirrel Talk, Chris dives into several inventions from the last 40–50 years that were once considered completely dumb, unnecessary, or downright ridiculous—but now we literally can't imagine life without them. From smartphones and robot vacuums to Crocs and QR codes, these modern marvels went from punchlines to power moves. Meanwhile, Mike brings in his energy with a competing list generated by his AI... featuring inventions that sound like they came from a late-night infomercial or the back page of a SkyMall magazine. Think more "useless but somehow real" energy—like umbrellas for shoes or bacon-scented alarm clocks. So if you're wondering how we got from mocking voice assistants to yelling "Hey Alexa, where are my pants?"—this is the episode for you. We debate, we roast, we appreciate just how weird and wonderful modern life is. 💡 Sponsor Shoutout Big thanks to 1Up Electric, powering homes, businesses, and podcasts that can't stay on topic. Whether you're rewiring your house or just trying to understand how electricity even works (same), hit up www.1upelectric.com or call 417-207-2590. Tell them Squirrel Talk sent you—then immediately get distracted by something else.