15 Popular Inventions That Started as Total Accidents
Some of the world’s most brilliant inventions came from moments of complete surprise — or even outright failure.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Not every breakthrough is planned — some are stumbled upon while trying to do something completely different. From sweet snacks to lifesaving drugs, many popular products were the result of lucky mistakes. These stories prove that sometimes failure is just innovation in disguise.
1. Microwave Oven
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Percy Spencer was testing a radar magnetron when a candy bar in his pocket melted. His curiosity led him to experiment with popcorn and eggs, which promptly exploded.
2. Post-it Notes
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A 3M scientist named Spencer Silver set out to create a super-strong adhesive, but ended up with one that barely stuck. Years later, his colleague used it to bookmark his church hymnal.
3. Penicillin
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Alexander Fleming left a messy lab before a vacation and returned to find mold killing bacteria in a petri dish. What started as an oversight led to the world’s first true antibiotic.
4. Velcro
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Swiss engineer George de Mestral noticed burrs clinging stubbornly to his dog’s fur. Intrigued, he examined them under a microscope and saw tiny hooks.
5. Popsicles
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An 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson accidentally left a soda and a stirring stick outside overnight. The mix froze in the chilly air, and he discovered a frozen treat in the morning.
6. Safety Glass
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A chemist dropped a glass flask coated with plastic cellulose nitrate and was shocked it didn’t shatter. This unexpected durability inspired the development of shatter-resistant glass.
7. X-rays
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While experimenting with cathode rays, Wilhelm Röntgen noticed a fluorescent screen glowing from across the room. He realized something invisible was passing through solid objects.
8. Play-Doh
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Originally created as a wallpaper cleaner, this putty-like substance was repurposed as a children’s modeling toy. Teachers discovered its potential for arts and crafts, and the rest is history.
9. Teflon
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Chemist Roy Plunkett was trying to make a new refrigerant when he discovered a slick, non-stick surface inside his storage canister. This unexpected find became Teflon, which is now used in everything from cookware to aerospace gear.
10. Super Glue
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In WWII, Harry Coover attempted to make clear plastic for gun sights but ended up with glue that stuck to everything. Though originally considered a failure, it later became a household essential for quick fixes.
11. Coca-Cola
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Originally brewed as a cure for headaches and morphine addiction, Coca-Cola started out as a medical tonic. When mixed with carbonated water by accident, it became a refreshing beverage instead.
12. Slinky
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While trying to develop a spring to stabilize ship instruments, Richard James dropped one — and watched it “walk” down the stairs. His wife saw the potential, named it “Slinky,” and helped turn it into a bestselling toy.
13. Corn Flakes
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The Kellogg brothers were working on a healthy food for patients when they accidentally left boiled wheat out overnight. It turned stale, but when rolled and toasted, it became a crunchy breakfast hit.
14. LSD
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Albert Hofmann was trying to create a stimulant for respiratory issues when he accidentally absorbed a compound through his fingertips. The hallucinations that followed led to the discovery of LSD’s powerful effects.
15. Anesthesia
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In the 1800s, people experimented with “laughing gas” and ether at parties. Doctors noticed attendees weren’t reacting to pain, even with injuries. Eventually, these observations led to the development of modern surgical anesthesia.