Most of the inventions are planned and invented with much labor. At the same time, there are some precious inventions that actually were discovered by accident.
Some happy accidents changed our lives in ways we never imagined. Here are ten accidental inventions that have really changed the world forever.
1. Penicillin
Penicillin is a saving antibiotic for life. It was discovered first by Alexander Fleming in 1928. He found that his petri dishes were contaminated by mold. The mold prevents the bacterial growth and thus, the development of antibiotics.
This discovery changed medicine dramatically. Already millions of lives have been saved from bacterial infections. Penicillin is used today in various treatments.
2. Microwave Oven
Today, the microwave oven is a household staple. It was invented by Percy Spencer in the 1940s, who noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted as he was working with radar technology.
Out of curiosity, he tried microwaves on food, which led to the first invention of the microwave oven. Today, it cooks food quick and efficient.
3. Post-it Notes
Post-it Notes are some office supplies that no one can live without. The said office supplies were invented in the late 1970s by Spencer Silver and Art Fry. Silver had come up with a low-tack adhesive that would not permanently stick to anything.
Fry found an application for it to mark his hymn book pages. It led to the staple of the sticky note. People use it in being organized and remembering more important tasks.
4. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is probably the world’s most famous soft drink. In 1886, Dr. John Pemberton discovered it. At first, he created a medicinal elixir to cure headaches.
He mixed carbonated water with a syrup he had invented. The result was a cooling drink that soon became popular. Today, Coca-Cola is a worldwide company.
5. X-rays
X-rays are important to medical science. They help doctors see what goes on inside the human body. Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered them by accident in the year 1895.
While experimenting with cathode rays, he found a fluorescent screen glowing nearby. It resulted in the discovery of X-rays. Now they are very much necessary for diagnoses for medical conditions.
6. Velcro
Velcro is a very handy fastening material. George de Mestral found it in 1941. He found himself covered with burrs after walking his dog.
Being very inquisitive, he placed them in his microscope. He then realized how the burrs stick to anything very tightly. This inspired him to come up with the Velcro that he came up with at that time and used to date in many applications ranging from garments to shoes.
7. Safety Glass
Safety glass has been able to save many lives in cases of accidents. It was created by Édouard Bénédictus in 1903. He accidentally dropped a glass flask that was coated with plastic.
The glass broke up but remained intact due to the plastic layer. This is what inspired the creation of safety glass. These days it is widely used in vehicles and buildings.
8. Slinky
The Slinky is a toy in which a spring unwinds walking down the stairs. It was invented by Richard James in the 1940s. He created the spring to balance various sensitive instruments.
One day, he accidentally knocked one off a shelf. To his surprise, it “walked” down instead of falling. This led to the birth of the very famous toy.
9. Rubber Bands
Rubbers are one of the common household items. In 1845, Stephen Perry invented them after working at a rubber company. When devising a simple means of bundling things, it led him to invent rubber bands.
Rubber bands are utilized for gigantic purposes, such as organizing paperwork or creating arts and crafts.
10. Teflon
Teflon is a non-stick coating used in the preparation of cookware. It was discovered by Roy Plunkett in 1938. While experimenting with gases, he experienced the formation of some unexplained white powder.
This powder was discovered to be Teflon. Today, it forms a non-stick surface and is widely used in frying pans and other cookware.
Summary of Accidental Inventions
- Penicillin
- Microwave Oven
- Post-it Notes
- Coca-Cola
- X-rays
- Velcro
- Safety Glass
- Slinky
- Rubber Bands
- Teflon
FAQs
Q1: What is an accidental invention?
It is an accidental invention when someone who does not intend to invent something just happens to discover something.
Q2: What are the social implications of accidental inventions?
They generally solve a problem or open the doors of new opportunities, which is followed by much advancement in the concerned field or specialty.
Q3: Are there more famous accidental inventions?
There are many products and discoveries made unintentionally, like Post-it Notes and the microwave oven.
Q4: Are accidental inventions also planned?
Absolutely, an accidental invention can also be planned.
While they occur by accident, many inventors might be willing to consider the unintended effects of some of their creations.
Q5: Why do some accidental inventions make it while others do not?
Success often depends on factors such as timing, market demand, and reaction from inventors who can modify their inventions for practical application.
Accident inventions, on the whole, showcase quite clearly how an eventful unexpected moment can form a springboard for something very important.
Medicine for coronary-related death was invented this way, while housework gets an upper hand with “Kool-Aid” found products. Wonderful inventions often come together as a result of embracing an unexpected moment.
