We are really picky about the brand we use. And that is because these brands have met our expectations and adapted to our changing needs. However, do you know that some of the most successful brands of our time once offered products that you could never predict?Like BMW manufactured airline engines, whereas Lamborghini used to sell tractors. The list goes on, and it will continue to amaze you.
Also read: 21 Interesting Facts About Brands
If you don’t believe us then look at the list of first products of famous brands and companies and get the details.
1. Sony – Rice Cooker
Source:Wikimedia Commons
Sony was established in 1946, right after World War 2. Today, the Japanese conglomerate has operations in other countries as well. Majorly it is a technological company and is the largest producer of electrical products, video games consoles and publishers. You’ll be surprised that the company’s first product was an electric rice cooker manufactured in the late 1940s.
2. Nokia – Toilet Paper
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nokia is a Finnish conglomerate that was established in 1865. Today it is a leading telecommunication, consumer electronics and IT company with a presence across 100 countries. The earliest products of the company were toilet paper rolls produced in 1960. You can glimpse the preserved pieces at Museum Centre Vapriikki, Tampere, Finland.
3. Samsung – Trading Company
Source: www. therepresentative.co.in
Samsung is a South Korean conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Town of Seoul, South Korea. It has several affiliate businesses under its umbrella, including Samsung Electronics and Samsung Heavy Industries. Lee Byung-Chul founded Samsung in 1938 as a fish ,fruits and grocery trading company.
4. Lego – Wooden Toys
Source:www.lego.com
Lego produces plastic construction toys. The company is based in Billund, Denmark. They started making their signature interlocking toy bricks in 1949. A total of 600 Billion Lego parts were produced by the company by July 2015. Initially, the company started by selling wooden toys in 1932.
5. Lamborghini – Tractor
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Lamborghini group is commonly known as Automobili Lamborghini S.P.A. and is based in Italy. It produces a range of luxury sports cars and SUVs. In 1948, the company made and sold tractors called Lamborghini Trattori.
6. Colgate- Soap and Candles
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Colgate is an American brand that produces oral hygiene products such as toothbrushes, paste and mouthwash. The company has a global presence in 67.7% of the countries across the globe and has been used by more than half of all households in this world. As unbelievable as it may sound, it used to sell soaps and candles initially.
7. LG – Cream
Source: LG Chem
LG Group is a South Korean conglomerate founded in 1947. Today the company has a diverse product range, including tonics, telecommunications and chemicals. It operates in 80 countries in the world. The company started rolling out its first product, a cosmetic cream called Lucky Cream in 1947.
8. Nestle- Baby Formula
Source: Flicker
Nestle is a Swiss company headquartered in Vevey, Vaud. It is the world’s largest publicly held food and drink processing company per revenue. The company was formed in 1905, and it survived WWI &WWII. When it started, it only offered condensed milk and infant formula milk.
9. Amazon- Online Bookstore
Source: Los Angeles Times
Amazon is an American technical giant founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 at his garage in Bellevue, Washington. It offers e-commerce, online advertising, digital streaming, and cloud computing services. Initially, it started as an online bookstore.
10. Apple Inc. – Apple Computer I
Source:Wikipedia
Apple Inc., the world’s biggest technology company, was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976. It has its headquarters in California. The company’s first product was Apple Computer 1, an 8-bit desktop computer.
11. BMW – Aircraft Engine
Source:Wikipedia
BMW is a German company with its headquarters in Munich. The company was founded in 1916. Today it produces luxury cars and motorcycles. BMW made 2,279 503 vehicles in 2017 and became the world’s fourteenth largest motor vehicle producer. Initially, the company used to manufacture aircraft engines.
12. Coca-Cola – Syrup
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Coca-Cola Company is a US-based multinational company founded by John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. It produces the classic soft drink Coca-Cola or Coke. In 2013, more than 1.8 Billion coke beverages were consumed daily. In the initial years, the company used to sell patent medicine or syrup.
13. Nintendo – Playing Cards
Source: Wikpedia
Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a multinational video game company in Japan. As of now, it develops video games and their consoles. Fusajiro Yamauchi founded the company in 1889, and it was called Nintendo Karuta. Initially, it sold handmade hanafuda or playing cards.
14. IKEA – Pens
Source: www.ikeamuseum.com
Ikea is a Swedish conglomerate that sells ready-to-assemble furniture, home accessories, and other home appliances. It was started in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad. However, Kamprad imported pens and nylons in the company’s founding years.
15. Wrigley – Soap & Baking Powder
Source: LinkedIn
The Wrigley Company is an American company that sells the famous Wrigley’s chewing gums worldwide. It is the largest manufacturer and seller of chewing gum, selling its product in over 180 countries. However, it initially offered soap and baking powder. They provided free chewing gums with washing powder, and subsequently, chewing started selling more than the gum.
Watching these brands evolve from what they set out to be, gives us hope that no matter where life takes us, starting somewhere is important.