15 Everyday Items Invented By Accident
These common objects were never supposed to exist — until unexpected discoveries changed the world.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Some of the greatest beneficial inventions in history were the product of sheer luck rather than meticulous forethought. Unintentional inventions, like microwaves and sticky notes, have influenced our way of life, work, and pleasure. The number of commonplace necessities that were created as a result of errors or fortunate events will astound you.
1. Microwave Oven
Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Percy Spencer, an engineer working with radar, noticed a candy bar melting in his pocket during an experiment. Intrigued, he aimed microwaves at food and discovered they could cook it fast.
2. Post-it Notes
Paper Textures on Unsplash
Spencer Silver was trying to invent a super-strong adhesive, but instead ended up with one that barely stuck. His colleague Art Fry saw potential in using it for bookmarks that wouldn’t fall out.
3. Penicillin
Pietro Jeng on Pexels
Alexander Fleming returned from vacation to find mold growing in one of his Petri dishes — and the bacteria around it had vanished. That mold was Penicillium notatum, and it led to the world’s first true antibiotic.
4. X-rays
Umanoide on Unsplash
Physicist Wilhelm Roentgen noticed a mysterious glow while experimenting with cathode rays. He placed his hand in front of the source and saw his bones on a screen.
5. Velcro
Ryan Stone on Unsplash
Swiss engineer George de Mestral took his dog for a walk and noticed burrs sticking to its fur. Curious, he studied them under a microscope and saw their tiny hooks.
6. Popsicles
Leah Newhouse on Pexels
In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson accidentally left a cup of soda with a stirring stick outside overnight. It froze, and in the morning, he pulled out the first “Epsicle.”
7. Teflon
MdeVicente on Wikimedia Commons
Roy Plunkett was trying to create a new refrigerant when his gas canister stopped dispensing. Inside, he found a slick, nonstick white powder — Teflon.
8. Safety Glass
Shaddack on Wikimedia Commons
Édouard Bénédictus, a French chemist, dropped a glass flask coated with plastic and noticed it cracked but didn’t shatter. He saw potential for safer windows.
9. Super Glue
Ben Sale on Wikimedia COmmons
While trying to create clear plastic for gun sights, Harry Coover accidentally produced an extremely sticky substance. It was too messy for its intended use but perfect for instantly bonding materials.
10. Slinky
Adam Valstar on Unsplash
Naval engineer Richard James was working on stabilizing ship instruments when a coil fell and “walked” across the floor. He and his wife realized it could be a toy.
11. Corn Flakes
Deepak N on Unsplash
John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will left the boiled wheat out too long, and it became flaky. They toasted the flakes and ended up with a tasty cereal.
12. Play-Doh
Letstown on Wikimedia Commons
Originally made as a wallpaper cleaner, Play-Doh was rebranded when kids started playing with it. Its soft, moldable texture made it perfect for creativity.
13. Saccharin (Artificial Sweetener)
FA2010 on Wikimedai Commons
Chemist Constantin Fahlberg accidentally discovered a sweet taste on his fingers after working with coal tar derivatives. He traced it back to the lab compound, realizing it could sweeten food.
14. Potato Chips
Mustafa Bashari on Unsplash
A chef named George Crum, annoyed at a customer for complaining about thick fries, sliced potatoes super thin and fried them until crisp. The customer loved them. That irritation gave birth to America’s favorite snack.
15. Anesthesia
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hendrick Dickson on Wikimedia Commons
In the 1800s, people inhaled ether and nitrous oxide for fun at “laughing gas parties.” Doctors noticed users didn’t feel pain when injured. That realization led to one of the biggest advances in surgical history.