Jul 30, 2024, 04:22 PM IST

 Accidental inventions that changed the world

Varnika Srivastava

He discovered healing properties of P. glaucum during typhoid cure in guinea pigs, but whether active chemical was penicillin remains unknown.

Penicillin

Spencer invented the microwave concept while working on radar magnetrons. He discovered a candy bar melted in his pocket, leading to the invention of electromagnetic waves.

The Microwave

During a woods walk, he discovered Velcro, a product consisting of a fabric strip with a hook and a loop that attach together.

Velcro

DuPont's scientist discovered a slippery, polymerized perfluoroethylene coating on a bottle's interior, leading to the invention of Teflon, a pelting material used in cooking.

Teflon

Pacemaker

Antoine Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity by observing florescent salts fluoresce in photographic plates, despite lacking energy, using the Roentgen method to advance x-ray research.

Radioactivity

Newton discovered gravity after an apple fell from a tree, leading to his detailed theory of matter's attractive force.

Newton and Gravity

Leo Baekeland discovered the first thermostatting plastic, 'Bakelite', during the invention of Velox photographic paper, by controlling pressure and temperature on phenol and formaldehyde.

Bakelite