Unplanned Triumphs:

Popularity is a peculiar thing – anything and anyone can become famous for almost any reason. It's highly unpredictable and challenging to orchestrate or control what makes a new kind of cereal popular or a particular song a hit. If anyone knew the exact recipe, nothing would ever be unpopular. Nevertheless, sometimes things are not even trying to become popular, but well, it happens anyway.

BMI, or Body Mass Index, was originally devised as a statistical tool for calculating the perfect man. In 2016, with almost 2 billion people estimated to be obese, BMI became a crucial metric in health discussions. However, it wasn't created to help individuals find their ideal weight; it was intended to determine the perfectly average man. Lambert Adolf Jacques Quetta lei, a mathematician, believed mass could explain everything in the world. Still, the application of BMI as a standard measure had unintended consequences, ignoring the myriad differences between individuals.

Having a signature look is not something everyone can pull off, but for Slash, the famous guitarist, it was never intentional. His iconic top hat, which became synonymous with his image, was stolen on a whim in 1985. Slash saw the hat in a store, liked how it complemented his style and took it. Little did he know that this stolen accessory would become an integral part of his identity and a symbol recognized worldwide.

The PlayStation, a gaming console that sold over 116 million units by 2021, was initially conceived as an optical drive for Nintendo. Sony and Nintendo had a deal for Sony to create an optical drive add-on. However, Nintendo's unexpected partnership with Philips led to a sudden change of plans. Sony, left in the dark, turned the technology into a standalone gaming console, ultimately becoming the most popular console of all time.

The term "alpha male" is often associated with aggression and dominance. However, its origins in animal behavior, particularly observed by primatologist Franz de Waal, paint a different picture. An alpha male, according to de Waal, is generous, empathetic, and a peacekeeper. It's not about being a bully, challenging the superficial understanding of the term and highlighting its roots in biology.

Wolverine, one of the most famous comic book characters, wasn't originally intended to be a mutant or an X-Men member. Co-creator Roy Thomas envisioned Wolverine as a hero without mutant powers, just a guy with claws in the Canadian wilderness. It wasn't until Marvel decided to retool the X-Men in 1975 that Wolverine, now a mutant, made it to the international roster, becoming one of Marvel's most iconic characters.

President Whitmore's speech in Independence Day, celebrated as one of the greatest film speeches, was never intended to be powerful. Co-writer Dean Devlin wrote it in five minutes as a placeholder, planning to replace it later. However, under a time crunch, the speech made it to the film unchanged and became an iconic moment, even being used by the real White House.

Star Trek's famous transporters, a staple of the series, were not part of the original plan. With a limited budget, the show's creators introduced transporters as a cost-cutting tool. The technology allowed seamless scene transitions without the need for models and sets, ultimately becoming central to the show's narrative.

Saxophones, known for their jazzy and versatile sounds, were initially invented to be orchestral instruments by Adolf Sax in 1841. However, they didn't fit into classical orchestras as the major symphonies were composed before the saxophone's introduction. Facing opposition and even threats to his life, Saxophones found their home in jazz and later rock, becoming iconic instruments in these genres.

Pixar's Toy Story 2, Pixar's highest-rated film, was never intended to be a big deal. Initially conceived as a direct-to-video sequel, the team felt they had something great and convinced Disney to upgrade it to a full theatrical release. The strict timeline forced the team to produce an unexpected blockbuster, putting Pixar on the map as an animation powerhouse.

Francisco de Goya's 14 black paintings, including the famous "Saturn Devouring His Son," were never intended to be seen. Painted on the walls of his own home, they only gained fame after being transferred to canvas years after Goya's death. Displayed at a Paris exhibition, they sparked controversy, eventually establishing Goya as one of the best painters of his era.

In this collection of stories, we see how the path to popularity is often unpredictable, unintentional, and filled with twists and turns. Each tale reflects the unexpected journeys that led to widespread recognition, highlighting the fascinating nature of fame and success.