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Hungry Minds Unveils The Black Book of Failed Inventions

Five years after discovering a trove of brilliant yet forgotten gadgets, independent publisher Hungry Minds is releasing The Black Book: The Ultimate Guide to Alternative Inventions. Authored by Pulitzer-nominated writer Noah Charney, the volume catalogs 180 curiosities that failed to change the world but certainly tried.

Hungry Minds Unveils The Black Book of Failed Inventions

The project originated during the research phase for the publisher’s viral hit, The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding Civilization. While compiling that guide, the team encountered hundreds of ingenious concepts that never transitioned into everyday life. This collection serves as a tribute to those near-misses of human innovation.

Following a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over $500,000, the hardcover edition will be available in the United States and Canada beginning August 14, 2026. Kickstarter backers will find their names listed within the pages, a nod to the studio’s history of community-driven publishing. A public launch event featuring Charney and the Hungry Minds founders—Seva, Artur, and Timur—is scheduled for August 20th at G-Gallery in Soho, New York City.

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