Remember that guy who went viral for his 'car repair with a banana' video?

I saw the original clip maybe three years ago, it was a temporary fix for a coolant hose leak using a banana and some zip ties. It got millions of views. The guy, Mike, got a ton of sponsors and even a small TV spot. I drove past his old shop in Akron last month and the place is just a regular auto parts store now. The sign with his name is gone. I looked him up online and his social media is all just normal family stuff now, no more wild repair hacks. The hype brought him quick money, but it didn't build a real business, you know? It makes you wonder how many of those viral 'life hack' people actually end up better off after the views stop. Has anyone else seen a local internet famous person just fade back into the regular world?

4 comments

4 Comments

roberth6629d agoMost Upvoted

That "fade back into the regular world" part hits home. I had a mildly popular blog about fixing old radios, then I realized I just liked fixing radios, not being online about it. Now I'm just a guy in a garage.

finley_shah6429d ago

Wait, he used a banana for a coolant leak?

allen.anthony29d ago

The banana trick works because the starch swells to seal small leaks.

richard_young801d ago

Wait, you can actually use a banana to fix a car? @roberth66, that makes your old radio hobby sound totally normal.