The Museum of Failures officially made its Canadian debut when it opened on July 1 at Southcentre Mall, with more than 130 displays of failed innovations.
Some of the lowlights include monumental flops like Google Glass, Colgate beef lasagna, fish-flavored water, and the ET video game.
Calgarians also got to see a hula chair aimed at weight loss, an electric face mask and Jarts – a so-called “family-friendly” lawn dart game – that has injured thousands.
The museum was originally designed by psychologist and innovation researcher Dr.  Samuel West.  Since debuting in Sweden, the traveling exhibition has visited cities such as Los Angeles, Paris and Shanghai.
Showpass CEO and founder Lucas McCarthy organized the event in Calgary and said it provides a unique insight into the risky business of innovation.
“We have all kinds of failures, everything from commercial failures from a financial standpoint, failures from the idea of ​​calling things by wildly wrong names, failures for research and just some genuine incompetence,” he said.
Since debuting in Sweden, the traveling exhibition has visited cities such as Los Angeles, Paris and Shanghai.
“But the most interesting part of this museum is that it all started with an idea that someone had about creativity and innovation, and that’s what we really wanted to try and highlight: the idea that creativity and innovation can sometimes lead to unsuccessful results.  “
Museum visitors like Michelle Beldi couldn’t agree more that some ideas, though silly at the time, could lead to great business triumphs.
“I think this is a lot of fun,” he said.
“I’m really going to take some of these things that I’ve learned into my work, because we’re all about innovation, so there are some ideas here that I can use.”
The museum also gave Calgarians a chance to share their personal failures by writing them on sticky notes and sticking them on the wall.”
Everything from “texting my mother-in-law instead of my wife,” “drinking too much tequila,” and “putting a power bar on herself” were written.
Joshua Harrop was amazed at the human element of the exhibits.
“It shows you have to roll with the punches,” he said.
“But honestly never be afraid to ask for help, know your market because there are ups and downs, your idea is going to change.”
The Museum of Failures is open until the end of August and is located at an outside entrance on the south side of Southcentre Mall near the Decathlon store.
Hours of operation are from 10 a.m.  until 8 p.m.  Wednesday through Sunday and tickets can be purchased online at showpass.com