How Silica Gel Took Over the World

Not mentioned by the article: 99% of all silica gel packets are utilized cosmetically, with no practical effect.

Is your equipment shipped in non-airtight containers, like cardboard boxes? That silica gel will absorb all the water it can before it leaves the factory. It effectively does nothing after that.

Are your silica gel packets stored in non-airtight bags? In that case, they're spent before they enter the packagin at all.

Did you save a bunch of silica gel packets from stuff Amazon sent you, and use them to "dry out" your gym gear (I have known friends to do this). Those packets are long-since "full", and do nothing. (My friend: "Well, it can't hurt!" And it also can't help.)

They aren't cordless water pumps, moving humidity out of the air perpetually into their contents - but that's how most people view them.

Is this true? Are you suggesting that manufacturers are adding the packets for psychological reasons? Even if they are used up by the time a consumer sees them, are we sure they had no benefit at an earlier time?