Have things always gone viral like this?

The squishy trend really messes with my brain. I don't understand why/how they're *SO* popular. All over the globe even. I've seen videos of people at night markets in Asian countries full of just squishies.

Kids don't even necessarily want the toy for what it presents itself as. They want them only because they're trending. They don't actually care about the squishies just what's most popular right now.

I know things have always kind of trended that way but this feels different to me. So my true question is; people who are a bit older, have things always gone this viral like this? Does this feel different to you?