16. Coca-Cola Launched The "MagiCan" Containing Cash Prizes In 1990... But Had To Quickly Abandon The Product Due To The Fact It Tasted Foul
On May 7, 1990, the Coca-Cola Company launched "MagiCans" in the US - special, mechanical cans that contained cash prizes or gift certificates, as well as a mixture of chlorinated water and foul-smelling ammonium sulphate, that were dispensed via spring-loaded tabs. Although the gimmick led to $4million-worth of cash and prize coupons being given away, it was abandoned less than a month after launch - partially due to the fact the pop-up mechanisms regularly malfunctioned, and partly because many of the customers tried to drink the disgusting chlorinated water after mistaking it for Coca-Cola.