My name is Matt Benedetto and I am the founder of Unnecessary Inventions - where I create fake products that solve problems that don't exist. Croc Gloves, Cuisine Curtain, Avocado on a Stick, and on and on. AMA

Ever make anything that was accidentally super useful?

I'm staring at my wall of Unnecessary right now and I'm really not sure if any of them really make anything easier. If the Hoverbrella (drone with umbrella attached) was actually practical then I would have to go with that.

Ever been mistaken for NASCAR driver Matt DiBenedetto? Because I definitely thought that’s who you were for a minute....

I've seen him before when I've googled my name but I don't think anyone has ever made that connection with us.

That’s interesting no one has made that connection, but NASCAR isn’t what it used to be. Thanks for answering my question! I think the first post of yours I saw was the Croc gloves when it hit the front page. If I recall correctly, Croc sent you a cease and desist? Has any company that you spoofed ever offered to work directly with you?

Not work with me but McDonald's reached out after my Infinity Saucelet and sent me a whole bunch of sauce packets and nugget coupons.

Do you find inspiration comes best from brainstorming or just random thoughts/ideas that pop up throughout the day?

It's pretty rare that I actually sit down and have a brainstorming session for what I should make next. It really comes more from those random occurrences throughout the day that spark an idea. Sometimes the full idea comes right to me but other times I'll write down in my notes app the situation I was in, maybe what the emotion that I was feeling, or anything to help me come back to the thought later to complete the idea when I actually want to make it.

Your stuff is a blast.

How do you compare your art to chindögu and/or were you inspired by it?

Thanks so much! I do definitely get compared to Chindogu a lot. When I first started putting out the inventions I actually had not heard of it before but people quickly pointed me in the directions of the books (which I now own some). I would say that one difference is Chindogu is based on a set of 10 rules and my inventions don't always follow all the rules to be considered a Chindogu. It's hard to exactly say exactly exactly but I think it's definitely possible for two complete strangers to have a very similar mindset.

However I definitely take inspiration from Kenji's work - like the Avocado on a Stick was inspired by his Butter Stick. I do always try to make my ideas in my own way.

Have you ever made a product that accidentally ended up being useful? If so what, or what came closest?

I just commented above about this but looking over my inventions again, I forgot that the TP Pleaser was installed in my bathroom for like 3 months after I shot the video. So it was a functional rotating toilet paper holder.

How would you want your legacy to be remembered if years from now you ended up creating the solutions to problems that exist later on but didn't when you made your inventions?

Also, what has been your favorite invention made by other people? Functionally ridiculous or not?

I'm not really sure what I'd want my legacy to be - at the current moment it seems to be "that guy who makes that useless shit", and I don't hate it. This is all also teaching me a lot about design and the processes to bring an idea to life. So it is sort of like a giant portfolio of what I'm capable of - so maybe one day it will attract the attention of someone or company that solves bigger problems and I can help them out.

I really loved my newest invention - the Helping Hand Visor. Mainly because it was fun to make as it's an actual mold of my own hand . Plus it the final product actually feels and hold like something you might actually find in a store. Except I'm working on one right now as I'm writing these answers that I really sort of love.

How much inspiration have you drawn from from the inventor Homer Simpson?

I did grow up watching Simpsons, a lot! So I think Homer-isms might just be engrained in me at this point. So while I haven't intentionally looked to Homer for an idea - I've definitely made things that I have then realized...of course the Simpsons already did it.

Have you thought about marketing any of your products? If the pet rock can make tens of millions of dollars, why can't your products?

I absolutely have and I am exploring it right now. I think one appeal to it right now is that I'm not another brand throwing products in your face to buy. So I'm focusing on continuing creating fun content for people online and release things here and there as it seems right.

Do you think you'll be able to attract investors for your pursuit of unnecessary things?

*cough*SoftBank*cough*cough*

I think they spent the rest of the money they had left this past week...

Have you met the bad robot builder Simone Giertz? And would you consider doing a collab with her?

Would love to collab with her. I've never met her in person but we have chatted online before.

Hi Matt!

Your useless inventions are very entertaining for all us nerds. Thank you for sharing!

I feel like your posting frequency slowed a lot after your issue with the crocs gloves. Has legal pressure stifled your creativity or changed your thought process when you consider posting?

Thank you for doing this AMA!

I think it's more that people probably got tired of me by then haha. I'm still pumping out 2-4 inventions per week across my social media channels - just not as many are making their way to the front page of Reddit like when I first started :)

Just one. WHYYYYY?

Most likely because I spend way too much time on the internet and my mind never seems to shut off.

What fake product have you wanted to make but have been unable to because of not having the materials or it not being able to be built due to the laws on the universe in this universe/ dimension?

Right now I think ever invention that I have started working on has been finished. I suppose my mindset is always working within the constraints of my abilities and what tools I have. I'd go crazy if I started something and couldn't finish it.

In your opinion, what is the most unnecessary thing you've invented?

While it's highly functional, the Chip X-tractor might be truly unnecessary to anyone to actually purchase for personal consumption. Just turn the damn tube over!

How many different ways can you answer variations of the same question “have you ever accidentally made something useful?”

Well let me tell you. This one time at band camp...

Are you still taking suggestions? What about fake ears to go over your ears while you have headphones in so it doesn’t look like you have headphones in....

I actually just had a very similar idea sent over on Instagram! It's funny when completely different people think of the same idea.

Are you hiring? 😂

If I ever actually making any real money doing this then maybe...

Ever accidentally made something that's actually good / profitable to sell?

That is actually what I do for a living. I am self-employed and I own two e-commerce brands where I design products that I actually do sell online and in retail stores. I call those my "necessary products" mainly because they actually pay the bills.

What is something useful that you like the design of and actually use yourself?

That's an interesting question - I recently purchased the new Oculus Quest. It's the first time I was blown away by VR and saw the actual future of the technology. The device just simply works seamless with you.

Wow, this is so cool you replied! I have been following your work for quite sometime now and consider myself a fan :) keep up the cool unnecessary stuff you are doing!

Reply

Thanks for the support!

You have any ideas that you really want to try out but is just too costly to go through with it?

I would love to create something MASSIVE. I've always wanted a Guinness World Record so something like with World's Largest _________. I'm not entirely sure how to create something at the scale needed to be the biggest ever.

Have you spoken to the folks at SkyMall yet?

Didn't they already go bankrupt?!

What’s the most expensive invention you’ve made?

The most expensive invention was probably the RealityCheck5000. I did hire a programmer to roughly create the application so that it would really work for other people to try it out.

Ever think of teaming up with NASCAR driver Matt DiBenedetto?

I haven't but I have spoken with some of the celebrities people always compare my looks to and they may model an invention in the future.

U single ? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Negative!

Have you ever read Unuseless Japanese Inventions? You remind me of this and it's probably why I enjoy your content so much.

I was quickly introduced to these books after the first few inventions I posted online. Definitely some really great stuff in there!

What are your favorites of the original chindogu?

Oh that's a good one! I really love the thing that goes over your lips to put your lipstick on perfectly as well as the baby outfit that helps clean your floors as they crawl around.

Is there a product you’ve created that you have actually used after?

I had my TP Pleaser installed in my bathroom after the video I shot. That was the closest I came to somewhat using an invention after I posted it online.

Before your book released did you actually make any money from your ideas? The crocks gloves for example, went very viral but chances are I didn't see your original posts inhibiting click profits

The only other revenue I've seen from the project is designing inventions for brands to use for marketing, etc and some YouTube ad revenue. Hopefully that can continue to change and I can put more resources into it!

Next product?

It's sitting on my desk and I'm working on it as we speak - it should be live tonight!

Your inventions are abominations and spectacular! Do you ever get people who try to buy them? If so, how far have they gone to get one of your inventions?

I don't think a day goes by where I don't have someone asking where they can buy one of the inventions. I got a lot of people who have a friend or relative with some sort of disability that can only be helped with one of my inventions. Therefore I must send it to them right away.

Are you aware that the coolest NASCAR driver is named u/mattdibenedetto ?

I was aware that one existed with a similar name - it's good to now know he is also the coolest.

What are your favorite resources to work with when creating your prototypes? Is there something that really allows your creativity to shine or holds you back more than you anticipated?

I really just love my 3D printer. It allows me to very quickly test out the basics of an idea and do quick iterations until it's working just the way I want it to. I set up overnight a lot, so it's pretty amazing to leave my studio at night and come back to a brand new inventions waiting for me.

How do you come up with these things?

It's a mix of my brain never shutting off, being overly aware of my surroundings when something happens in my daily life to inspire an invention, and looking at way too many memes.

I think your products are hilariously genius!

Do you ever take any suggestions from your followers? For example; I thought of you the other day when I told my son he needs “clock goggles” so he’d be forced to pay attention to the damn time... I think those would be a great useless invention!

Well thank you! Yes I do! I have published 102 inventions so far - I would say 65% of them are ideas that I came up with and 35% were inspired by thoughts or ideas people had submitted to me to make.

Have you invented a freckle counting machine? Why or why not?

I have not because I'm not sure I trust anyone with that many freckles.

How do you finance you’re inventions?

I have self financed all of my inventions to date. Slowly working on way to make additional revenue from it. However I am looking more at the long term and seeing it all as an investment right now..or at least that's what I like to tell myself.

Ever consider working with Obvious Plant? Seems like you have a similar sense of humor but they mainly make the packaging vs. “real” items.

We chatted in Instagram before now and then but never really talked about a collaboration. He makes some really hilarious stuff though!

How do you make a living with something like this?

I will let you know once I start doing so! However I have been approached by some brands and designing some inventions for their marketing campaigns - plus my book that's now live is a start!

Ever had an idea that you really wanted to do, but just couldn't get it to work out?

Not yet! There is only one so far that I made, took the photos, and was ready to post but didn't feel like it was up to par - so it never saw the light of day.

Could you invent a fart blaster for me, please?

Where I am blasting it to?

Can we give suggestions?

GO FOR IT!

Where do you get the funding for this?

Just replied to below but I have just been funding it all myself!

Are you aware of Simone Giertz? You two would make a wonderful crossover

Of course I am! It made my whole day when she started following me on Instagram last month!

Do you consider yourself as more of a humorist or an artist?

One quote (that I don't exactly remember saying) I had in an interview was - "I'm an artist that makes art-ish". I think that sort of sums it up pretty well.

Have you ever thought of teaming up with Carrot Top?

I have gotten a decent amount of Carrot Top comments over the past few months. I suppose that I'm just not a Carrot Top fan that I'm unaware of what his shtick is. I gather it has something to do with prop comedy so maybe I should dive more into it.

As an inventor, what does your toolbox consist of?

My main tool of choice is my 3D Printer - that thing is running basically everyday/all day. So it acts as the core of all my designs and I use other tools to help do more of the finishing work to complete an invention. From sanders, painting, jig-saw, etc. Everything really is much more hacked together than it probably looks. Oh and photoshop - lots of good photoshop.

Oh dude I saw your invention on reddit and started following you on IG. Your inventions are hilarious, keep it up! How do you actually produce the products? And what’s the most someone offer to buy one of them?

Thanks for following along! While I get a lot of requests for people to purchase my inventions - no one has actually offered a specific price I don't think.

You can watch some of the behind the builds on YouTube - but it's mostly 3D printing, sewing, mold making, and whatever else I need to do to bring something to life!

Are all of your inventions impossible? What would it take to make one real?

Some of them are very concept based and absolutely do not work at all. Something like the RotarySMS doesn't work what so ever - it's more of the concept of it all that I'm presenting. Other do actually work and would just require the right molds, etc to bring them to life in mass production.

Ever been confused for the nascar driver?

The first real time this has ever been brought up is right in this AMA!

What were some runner-up names that people came up with for the croc gloves?

A lot of people submitted similar names. Holey Hands was popular. Scorcs (Crocs Backwards) as well.

What do you think about r/matt ?

This is the first time I've seen this Subreddit. I approve.

Do you consider yourself more of an artist or engineer/inventor?

I would consider myself more as a branding/marketing type person. My favorite part about my inventions is doing the product photoshoots, coming up with the product names, etc. The ideas I think also come from that aspect of myself thinking about consumers and the products they are actually being delivered and how I can basically do the same but for absurd ideas.

Thanks for doing this AMA Matt!

Do you have any unnecessary inventions for a bald and bearded fella? I find all the things I use to maintain this look are far too practical.

I get sent actual ads all the time of real products on Instagram but people think it's something I created. I definitely was sent some sort of all over head shaver recently that actually exists. But deep down I haven't because I have never been able to grow any facial hair. So it's out fo spite.

How do you make ends meet?

I am self-employed and own 2 online e-commerce brands where I sell my "necessary" products.

You sure you aren't one of the guys from the MVMNT Watch commercials?

I've lost track at this point of the number of people I supposedly look like...so maybe?

What was your first idea in this vein? When did you realize you could pursue this business full-time? Do you consider yourself more of a comedian or an inventor?

Finally, what's the best prank you've ever pulled on someone? You seem like someone who would be good at pranks.

I've been designing products and manufacturing them for almost 15 years now. I've always had these stupid ideas and I'd get samples made somewhere - look at the item - and tell myself, Ok I'm never putting this out for sale. I don't think I can quite give them away but there are about 2-3 Unnecessary Inventions I've put out there that I've had samples of in my office for 10 or so years. When the whole project launched I thought, oh I finally have a use for these.

Many of your inventions sound like poorly Google Translated sentences. Have you ever considered using a bad translator for inspiration or product naming?

Ha! I have never thought of trying that. There have been a few instances where I just couldn't come up with the right name so I'll have to see if that will actually work in the future.

Don't you feel like you're unnecessarily creating waste?

Since there is only one creation of each invention I wouldn't say that I am. It consider it a form of art. Would you consider a painting to be a waste?

Do you feel any guilt over expending energy and carbon to fill the world with more unnecessary and useless items?

Since there is only one of each invention in existence that sit on a bookshelf. No.

Whats your advice for someone who comes up with a great idea for a useful invention, but doesn't have the abilities to create it themselves?

There is a whole lot of information available online for free. I went to school for Marketing and never took any classes in school on how to build a product. Lots and lots of Youtube.

To what extent do you think your success demonstrates the failure of capitalism?

Unnecessary Inventions is very much a critique on current culture of purchasing trends of consumers, ads we get delivered everywhere online, and so on. There are thousands upon thousands of products online that people absolutely do not need or will ever need. I try to make all of my inventions to have a use but be completely unnecessary in your daily life to actually purchase as a real product.

Hated to see the 2nd place finish at Bristol this year. I was really rooting for you! Do you think your racecar next year is going to be more competetive?

Absolutely.

are you planning on mass producing anything you made?

A couple of them are being worked on, yes :)

Kinda like politician that createa problems that don't exist and then offer a bullshit solution??

I'll just say that I wouldn't consider my inventions bullshit solutions.