Science
Accidental discoveries, unexpected inventions, and chance breakthroughs that changed the world.
Did You Know?
Modern chemotherapy began with observations of WWI mustard gas victims.
Doctors noticed that soldiers exposed to mustard gas had reduced white blood cell counts. This observation led to...
Did You Know?
The modern smoke detector was invented while testing a sensitive camera lens.
In 1941, Swiss physicist Walter Jaeger was trying to create a sensor for poison gas. When his cigarette...
Did You Know?
Band-Aids were invented by a husband trying to help his accident-prone wife.
In 1920, Johnson & Johnson employee Earle Dickson created small bandages his wife could easily apply to her...
Did You Know?
Chocolate chip cookies were invented when Ruth Wakefield ran out of baker’s chocolate.
In 1930, Wakefield was making chocolate cookies but ran out of baker's chocolate. She substituted broken pieces of...
Did You Know?
Contact lenses were conceived after a child got wood splinters in his eye.
In 1887, F.E. Muller created the first glass contact lens after treating a child with wood splinters embedded...
Did You Know?
LSD’s psychedelic effects were discovered when Albert Hofmann accidentally absorbed some through his skin.
In 1943, Hofmann experienced the world's first acid trip after accidentally touching a synthesized compound. This led to...
Did You Know?
X-rays were discovered when Wilhelm Röntgen noticed a glowing screen across his lab.
In 1895, Röntgen was working with cathode ray tubes when he noticed a nearby fluorescent screen glowing. Further...
Did You Know?
The principles of vaccination were discovered through milkmaids’ resistance to smallpox.
Edward Jenner noticed that milkmaids who contracted cowpox didn't get smallpox. This observation led to the development of...
Did You Know?
Superglue was discovered during attempts to make gun sights.
Harry Coover discovered superglue while trying to make clear plastic gun sights. The extremely sticky substance initially seemed...