The most popular product of all time

Asymco ^ | July 29, 2016 | Horace Dediu

[Swordmaker]

The following is a list of the best-selling products across several categories:

Car model: VW Beetle 21.5 million
Car brand: Toyota Corolla 43 million
Music Album: Thriller 70 million
Vehicle: Honda Super Cub 87 million
Book Title: Lord of the Rings 150 million
Toy: Rubik’s Cube 350 million
Game console: Playstation 382 million
Book series: Harry Potter Series 450 million
Mobile Phone: iPhone 1 billion

The iPhone is not only the best selling mobile phone but also the best selling music player, the best selling camera, the best selling video screen and the best selling computer of all time.

It is, quite simply, the best selling product of all time.

It is that because it is so much more than a product. It is an enabler for change. It unleashed forces which we are barely able to perceive, let alone control. It changed the world because it changed us.

And it did all that in less than nine years. One has to wonder what it will enable in the next nine.

[Fester Chugabrew]

. . . the Bible . . .

Hands down the most widely published book of all time. The author of this piece most likely has a different notion of "popularity" when it comes to books, or has never checked into that one.

[Secret Agent Man]

Only owned one of them. Rubiks cube.

[golux]

Zommbie conversion kits: 110 Million welfare packages sold, currently in use in U.S. alone.

[kosciusko51]

Ok, let’s put it this way: what is the percentage of iPhone users that upgrade their model every two years, or have bought more than on iPhone?

Now, compare that to the number of readers that have bought more than on copy of the Harry Potter series.

Note: I’m not anti-Apple. I’ve owned several Apple products over the years, and my wife currently has an iPhone. But they are just another tool to me.

[mfish13]

Nope. Beer.

[Swordmaker]

Nope. Beer.

Consumable. . .

[Nifster]

I question the book title since billions of The Bible have been printed

[Falconspeed]

Interesting list. Thanks. I have purchased a single item on the list, iPhone, three times.

I grew up in a family with Fords (no VW’s or Toyotas), Led Zeppelin family (no Thriller), the New Jerusalem Bible by Tolkien, and Legos and Monopoly (no cube or video games).

[roadcat]

But they are just another tool to me.

Same here. My wife and I don't even own iPhones, we prefer our TracFones. I just think people are unfair criticizing Apple versus other companies who do far worse and are never criticized. As for iPhone users who upgrade, everyone feels the temptation of wanting the next iteration that has more bells and whistles than the last model. Same can be said for cars, TVs, computers, you name it - except for books like Harry Potter.

Incidentally, I have several versions of movies, in VHS, DVD and digital format, the latter an improvement over the former media versions (I now buy only digital). Friends of mine invest not only in hard copy books, but also digital audio books and digital written books of the same titles. Different types of tools for the same content.

[Paladin2]

I’ve found vehicles and electronic devices to be consumables.

[Swordmaker]

You must work for Apple?
Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Nope. I am just the keeper of the Apple/Mac/iPhone/iPad/iOS Ping list on FreeRepublic which now has about 750 of your fellow members who've asked me to keep them appraised of things about Apple, and ping them to the articles. This is just one that popped up today. There are also ping lists for Android and Windows enthusiasts. This one just happens to be the oldest and probably the largest and most active at ~750 members. . .

[Swordmaker]

That was not specified in the post.

I agree. . . that's why I commented that MacDonald's Burgers probably would be more in the running. . . but then they were consumable. If, however, you look at non-consumable, single maker, specific products, Horace Dediu is probably right. I've been trying to think of one that might meet that criteria and cannot. I did get out the popcorn while I watch you guys rise to the challenge though.

[al baby]

Add me please 751 thank you

[kosciusko51]

This wasn’t a swipe at Apple, just a comment.

IIRC, The term “planned obsolescence” was in regard to the auto industry, which was constantly adding new features to their new models to get people to “upgrade” more often. Apple, and all smartphone companies, seem to follow this pattern.

[Swordmaker]

Deadly Poison: Communism. 100 Million sold.

Not bad, but not a product. . . certainly more than 1 billion hoodwinked. E for effort.

[Moonman62]

Car model: VW Beetle 21.5 million
Car brand: Toyota Corolla 43 million

...

Isn’t Corolla a car model?

[Delta 21]

To think that smart phones arent meant to be consumables would require a measured amount of denial. :)

[dfwgator]

IIRC, The term “planned obsolescence” was in regard to the auto industry, which was constantly adding new features to their new models to get people to “upgrade” more often. Apple, and all smartphone companies, seem to follow this pattern.

[AFreeBird]

Consumable or not, I have to go with bacon as well.

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

6 billion Bibles printed is more. Source

And this doesn't include the electronic Bibles.