17 Everyday Things That Were Invented by Accident (From Corn Flakes to Dynamite to the Guillotine) - History Collection

10. Safety Glass

In 1903, French chemist Édouard Bénédictus was working in his laboratory when he accidentally dropped a glass flask that had previously contained cellulose nitrate, a flammable liquid. To his surprise, the flask shattered but the pieces remained largely intact, held together by a thin film of cellulose nitrate that had coated the interior. Intrigued by this phenomenon, Bénédictus realized that embedding a layer of cellulose nitrate between two sheets of glass could prevent shattering and enhance safety. He patented this innovation in 1909, naming it “Triplex” glass. This laminated safety glass was initially used in automobile windshields, significantly reducing injuries from glass shards in accidents. Over time, the cellulose nitrate was replaced by polyvinyl butyral (PVB) due to its superior strength and clarity, leading to the modern safety glass widely used today (britannica.com).

11. Vulcanized Rubber

In 1839, Charles Goodyear, an American inventor, was striving to make rubber more durable and less sticky. While experimenting with a mixture of rubber and sulfur, he accidentally dropped it onto a hot stove. To his surprise, the rubber didn’t melt; instead, it charred like leather. Recognizing the potential of this transformation, Goodyear refined the process, leading to the development of vulcanized rubber—a material that was elastic, durable, and weather-resistant. This innovation revolutionized industries, particularly in the manufacturing of tires and various rubber products. Goodyear patented his process in 1844, but despite his significant contribution, he faced financial difficulties and died in debt. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, established in 1898, was named in his honor (britannica.com).

12. Pacemaker

In 1956, while working on an oscillator to record heart sounds, engineer Wilson Greatbatch mistakenly installed a 1 MΩ resistor instead of the intended 10 KΩ resistor. This error caused the circuit to emit a steady electrical pulse, mimicking the rhythm of a heartbeat. Recognizing the potential, Greatbatch collaborated with Dr. William Chardack to develop the first implantable cardiac pacemaker. In 1960, they successfully implanted the device in a human patient, marking a significant advancement in medical technology (lemelson.mit.edu).

13. Artificial Sweeteners (Saccharin)

In 1879, while researching coal tar derivatives at Johns Hopkins University, chemist Constantin Fahlberg accidentally discovered saccharin, the first artificial sweetener. After a day in the lab, he sat down to dinner without washing his hands and noticed that his bread tasted unusually sweet. Realizing that the sweetness was due to a chemical he had been working with, Fahlberg identified it as benzoic sulfimide, which he later named saccharin. This discovery led to the development of a sugar substitute that is approximately 300 times sweeter than sucrose, revolutionizing the food industry by providing a low-calorie alternative to sugar (acs.org).

14. Teflon

In 1938, while working at DuPont’s Jackson Laboratory in New Jersey, chemist Roy J. Plunkett was researching gases related to refrigerants. He and his assistant, Jack Rebok, were testing tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) gas when they found that a pressurized cylinder, which should have been empty, was unexpectedly heavy. Upon opening it, they discovered that the TFE had polymerized into a white, waxy solid. This substance, later named polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), exhibited remarkable properties: it was chemically inert, had a high melting point, and was extremely slippery. Recognizing its potential, DuPont patented PTFE in 1941 and registered the Teflon trademark in 1944. Initially used in military applications, Teflon’s non-stick properties later made it popular in cookware, revolutionizing the kitchen industry. Today, Teflon is utilized in various industries, including aerospace, electronics, and pharmaceuticals (teflon.com).

15. Play-Doh

In the 1930s, Noah McVicker, a compound designer for the Cincinnati-based company Kutol Products, developed a putty-like substance intended to clean soot from wallpaper. This product effectively removed grime without damaging surfaces. However, as coal heating became less common in the 1950s, the demand for wallpaper cleaner declined, threatening the company’s viability. In 1955, McVicker’s nephew, Joe McVicker, learned from his sister-in-law, Kay Zufall, a schoolteacher, that children enjoyed using the cleaner as a modeling compound. Recognizing its potential as a children’s toy, Joe McVicker rebranded the product as Play-Doh. In 1956, Play-Doh was introduced to the market, and its popularity soared, becoming a staple in classrooms and homes worldwide (smithsonianmag.com).

16. Ice Cream Cones

The origins of the ice cream cone are somewhat ambiguous, with multiple claims to its invention. One widely recognized story dates back to the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. During the fair, an ice cream vendor ran out of serving dishes. Nearby, Ernest Hamwi, a Syrian concessionaire selling a crisp, waffle-like pastry called zalabia, noticed the shortage. He rolled one of his warm pastries into a cone shape and offered it to the ice cream vendor, who filled it with ice cream. This innovation delighted fairgoers and popularized the ice cream cone as a convenient and edible serving vessel. However, other accounts suggest that the ice cream cone was independently invented by Italo Marchiony, an Italian immigrant in New York City, who patented a design for an edible ice cream cup in 1903. Despite these competing claims, the 1904 World’s Fair incident is often credited with popularizing the ice cream cone, making it a beloved treat enjoyed worldwide (time.com).

17. Super Glue

In 1942, while working for Eastman Kodak, chemist Harry Coover was tasked with developing clear plastic gun sights for military use during World War II. During this research, he encountered cyanoacrylate, a compound that was extremely adhesive but initially dismissed due to its tendency to bond to unintended surfaces. In 1951, Coover revisited cyanoacrylate while overseeing a team investigating heat-resistant polymers for jet canopies. Recognizing its potential as a strong adhesive, he patented the substance in 1958, marketing it as “Eastman 910.” This product, later known as Super Glue, revolutionized bonding applications in both consumer and industrial markets. Coover’s invention also found significant medical applications, including use as a hemostatic agent during the Vietnam War to control bleeding in soldiers’ wounds (invent.org).

Conclusion

These accidental discoveries highlight how unexpected events can lead to groundbreaking innovations. From life-saving antibiotics to everyday conveniences like Post-it Notes and microwave ovens, these inventions have profoundly impacted our daily lives, often in ways their creators never anticipated. They serve as a testament to the serendipitous nature of innovation, reminding us that breakthroughs can emerge from the most unforeseen circumstances (history.com).