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Accidental discoveries show how scientific errors shaped medicine, technology and everyday life, check out the scientific errors that led to discoveries.
Throughout history, humanity has accumulated knowledge based on hypotheses, tests, and conclusions, but the greatest advances have not always come from well-planned experiments. Many of science’s biggest mistakes were actually accidental discoveries that changed the course of history—creating everything from the antibiotic that saved millions to the microwave oven that is now a common sight in kitchens. These stories reveal how curiosity, observation, and the willingness to reinterpret results were essential to scientific progress.
Below, learn about eight accidental discoveries that changed the world, born from failures, distractions or unexpected events in laboratories around the world.
Penicillin was discovered by accident after fungus killed bacteria on a forgotten plate
In 1928, the British doctor Alexander Fleming came back from vacation and found a forgotten petri dish in his lab. To his surprise, a fungus had destroyed the cultivated bacteria. It was the penicillium notatum, responsible for creating the first antibiotic in history: penicillin.
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This was one of the biggest accidental discoveries of modern medicine. In addition, Fleming had already noticed the effects of lysozyme, another antimicrobial enzyme discovered by chance when he splashed on a bacterial culture. His discoveries earned him the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1945 and revolutionized the treatment of infections.
Pacemaker was invented when engineer misplaced component in a heartbeat recorder
Wilson Greatbach, an American engineer, was working on a device to record heartbeats when he accidentally inserted the wrong resistor. The result was a circuit that emitted rhythmic electrical impulses. Thus was born the pacemaker, now used by millions of people with arrhythmias.
This simple assembly error became one of the most valuable inventions that changed the world in the health sector, significantly increasing the quality and life expectancy of heart patients.
X-rays were developed during tests with cathode ray tubes by Wilhelm Röntgen
In 1895, the physicist Wilhelm Rontgen was experimenting with cathode ray tubes when he noticed that a nearby covered screen was glowing. Intrigued, he investigated the emission of invisible radiation—the X ray — and inaugurated a new era in medicine.
The technique, discovered completely accidentally, made it possible view the inside of the human body without surgery and also had applications in archaeology, security and engineering. Röntgen refused any patents and even donated his Nobel Prize to his university.
Microwaves were created after a chocolate bar melted near radar equipment
Percy spencer, an American engineer, noticed that the chocolate in his pocket melted when it came close to a magnetron during radar tests in 1945. Curiosity led him to experiment with other foods, and thus was born the microwave oven.
The equipment was first sold in 1947 and today it is an indispensable household appliance, being a classic example of how errors of science can result in advances that change the daily lives of millions of people.
Teflon was discovered by accident while searching for refrigerant gases for the chemical industry.
In 1938, the chemist Roy Plunkett, from DuPont, was trying to create a new refrigerant gas when he noticed that the substance had turned into a heat-resistant white powder: it was the polytetrafluoroethylene, commercially named as Teflon.
The material has revolutionized several industries due to its non-stick properties and chemical resistance, being used in pans, clothing, medical equipment and even in NASA space missions.
Saccharin sweetener identified after chemist ate it with hands dirty with reagents
The Russian Chemist Constantin Fahlberg, in 1879, forgot to wash his hands after working with chemical compounds and noticed that his food tasted sweet. The substance was saccharin, the first artificial sweetener of the story.
This discovery, the result of chance and lack of hygiene, generated a multi-billion dollar industry, responsible for several food products aimed at diabetics or those who want to reduce their sugar consumption.
LSD was created by an accidental pharmaceutical experiment absorbed through the skin of scientist Albert Hofmann.
In 1938, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) while searching for new drugs. He accidentally absorbed a small amount through his skin and experienced intense psychedelic effects.
LSD has become a subject of study in psychiatry, neuroscience, and psychology, although its controversial reputation has hampered its legal acceptance. Nevertheless, it represents a milestone in the scientific exploration of consciousness.
Safety glass was created after a bottle stopped shattering when dropped thanks to cellulose nitrate
The french Edouard Bénédictus dropped a flask in his laboratory in 1903, but it did not shatter. It was coated with nitrate of cellulose, which prevented the glass from breaking completely.
This accidental discovery led to the creation of laminated safety glass, which is still used today in car windshields, display windows and impact-resistant windows. The scientist registered the patent in 1909 and paved the way for new solutions in vehicle safety and construction.
Source: 10 scientific errors that turned into great discoveries
