Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon99
(Post 14252030)
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out the window in the late '80s when Generra introduced the transexual of t-shirts, Hypercolor, to the world.
As I'm sure you all remember, Hypercolor t-shirts were one color when cool and changed to a different color in warmer areas of your body. Who didn't love leaving a handprint on the back of the Hypercolor-clad kid in front of you in middle school?
While this thermochromic fashion phenomenon lasted into the early '90s, it vanished as quickly as it appeared. So whatever happened to Hypercolor? Where did it go and why?
As with so many great inventions, Hypercolor's downfall came when it tried do too much, too quickly. The beloved t-shirts were a huge success not only in America, but worldwide. Unfortunately, Generra got the bright idea to try releasing other Hypercolor garments in non-US markets. In Japan this was a great success: Hypercolor pants, socks, hats and headbands were very popular. The fatal mistake came when they attempted Hypercolor underwear.
The microencapsulated, thermochromic dye used in Hypercolor garments wasn't able to withstand the constant, elevated temperatures of the average Japanese teenager's crotch. When the 1-dodecanol solvent broke down the myristylammonium oleate salt for an extended period of time, the microcapsules would dissolve under prolonged exposure to the released 1,2,3-benzotriazole. The dye (crystal violet lactone) was then directly exposed to the skin. The result? Blue balls...literally.
Over 400 men were left with permanently Smurfy scrotums and over 220 women were guaranteed that the carpet would never again match the curtains.
The class action suit against Generra forced them out of business. The company was bought by the conglomerate Public Clothing Company in 1993 and all production of Hypercolor merchandise was halted.
Strangely enough, the US government experimented with Hypercolor for several years after it's discontinuation. They wanted to adapt the dye to make uniforms for prisoners and detainees that would help investigators and corrections officers know if a prisoner was lying. Unfortunately, since orange Hypercolor garments turn yellow when they're warm, detainees in Hypercolor prison-orange jumpsuits walked around looking as if they'd pissed themselves. A lawsuit was filed claiming this was abusively humiliating to prisoners, and the program was cancelled.
The US government currently owns the patent for Hypercolor, but there is no information available as to whether or not they plan to use the technology for any future projects.
