Science
Accidental discoveries, unexpected inventions, and chance breakthroughs that changed the world.
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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The electrical battery was invented through frog leg experiments.
Luigi Galvani discovered 'animal electricity' through frog leg experiments. This led Alessandro Volta to create the first electrical...
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The first battery was created during experiments with frog legs.
Luigi Galvani discovered 'animal electricity' when frog legs twitched during experiments with metal. This led Alessandro Volta to...
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Photography was invented through silver salt experiments.
Louis Daguerre discovered modern photography when mercury vapor developed a faint image on a silver plate. This accident...