The Museum of Failure

The Museum of Failure

A new museum has recently opened in Sweden.

Its mission states: “Learning is the only way to turn failure into success”

Museum of Failure is a collection of interesting innovation failures. The majority of all innovation projects fail and the museum showcases these failures to provide visitors a fascinating learning experience.

The collection consists of over seventy failed products and services from around the world. Every item provides unique insight into the risky business of innovation.

Items on display include:

• Apple Newton 
• Bic for Her
• Google Glass
• Nokia N-gage 
• Orbitoclast Lobotomy (medical instrument)
• Harley-Davidson Perfume
• Kodak Digital Camera 
• Sony Betamax
• Lego Fiber Optics

The exhibition is located in downtown Helsingborg, Sweden. It is only a short walk from the train station and the ferries from Denmark. The exhibition is presented in both Swedish and English. And will also soon be in German.

What i love about this is that it has been established by a psychologist who fervently believes we do not talk about or embrace and understand the dynamics of failure anywhere near enough. I would agree!

What do you think about failure? Is it an intrinsic part of the path to success? Is it important in its own right as learning? Should we shun it and / or people who fail? What is it about failure that people fear?

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” — Robert F. Kennedy