The Obvious Framework v0.1

What makes successful products successful?

What makes almost successful products fail?

Is there a pattern? is there a formula that can be derived the most common and obvious objects, products or services we use?

Were they always so obvious?

Was there a time they didn't exist and were before becoming the obvious products we use today?

I'm trying to find the common thread, a pattern, a formula, that may inform design innovation like nothing else has yet.