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Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » This is too good not to share. It was provided by an Answermug friend. WHATCHA THINK?

This is too good not to share. It was provided by an Answermug friend. WHATCHA THINK?

I asked in a question about "accidental" inventions and he came up with a link listing 18 which I've listed below.

microwave
quinine
x-rays
radioactivity
Velcro
Sweet n Lo
pacemaker
LSD
Playdoh
Penicillin
Viagra
Insulin
Vulcanized rubber
Corn flakes
Teflon
Super Glue
Safety glass used in windshields
Vaseline

Posted - December 16, 2019

Responses


  • 4624
    Quite wonderful.
    I wonder a little at his definition of accidental.
    The story of the inventor of Velcro: he noticed how certain types of seeds and leaves with velvety and prickly surfaces could stick to things which then carried them to new sites where they could propagate and grow.
    In observing this characteristic, he thought that this type of stickiness would have many uses, so he set out by experiment to create the fabrics which could mimic the natural functions.
    Personally, I think this is the opposite of accidental.
    Inventors teach themselves how to observe everything through the eyes of lateral thinking. I see it as deliberate and skillfully developed creativity.
      December 17, 2019 1:18 AM MST
    2

  • 113301
    The he to whom you refer was not the creator of the list bw. I expect he simply Googled "accidental inventions" and that list came up. What the parameters of the list creator were I do not know. I just thought it was nifty that he went out of his way to reply to my question in that way. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. To each his/her own. We all employ different methods of evaluating. It just depends upon your flow.
      December 17, 2019 3:34 AM MST
    1

  • 44713
    Add post-it notes, Rainex and the toy, Slinky. Throw bronze in there, too. And many organic chemicals.
      December 17, 2019 2:45 PM MST
    0