Roland 303

1981-1984

The TB-303 was an analog synthesizer that was supposed to be a bass accompaniment for solo guitarists. It flopped, partially because it sounded nothing like a bass guitar. But the biggest problem was that it was notoriously difficult to use – the manual weighed more than the machine. No one wanted it, not even when Roland dropped the price. It was rumored that the company dumped thousands of unsold synthesizers in the Tokyo bay. The synthesizer was rediscovered almost ten years later, and it became the foundation of the new Acid House music style. Since the 1990s, the TB-303 has been an icon for electronic music.

Additional info:
Wikipedia
Djtechtools.com – History Of The TB-303: Roland’s Accidental Legend