DID YOU KNOW THESE

UNINTENDED DISCOVERIES

Some of the most ingenious innovations that make up the world as we know it were discovered by accident. Sometimes great things can come from the unexpected.

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The Popsicle

In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson accidentally left a cup of powdered soda and water, with its mixing stick still inside, on his porch overnight. One cold night, a typical kid, and ta-da the summertime staple was born! Today, two billion Popsicles are sold every year.

(Source: Country Living)

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Coca-Cola

Did you know that pharmacist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola while trying to make a pain killer because he was wounded? Who knew that something that a failed medical remedy would become a beloved recipe that still remains a secret today.

(Source: Coca-Cola Company)

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The Slinky

Did you know the Slinky was supposed to hold equipment on naval ships? The idea for the timeless toy sprung to mind when a Naval engineer was designing a device that the Navy could use to secure equipment. He dropped some coiled wires and watched them walk end-over-end across the floor.

(Source: Smithsonian)

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Sweet'N Low

Saccharine, the artificial sweetener in Sweet'N Low - was found by a Russian chemist who forgot to wash his hands after a day's work. He picked up a roll and noticed that it tasted sweet, as did everything else he touched. The artificial sweetener became widespread when sugar was rationed during World War I.

(Source: Smithsonian)

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Post-It Notes

In 1968, scientist Spencer Silver at the 3M company was trying to make a super-strong adhesive, when he created just the opposite: a very weak adhesive that would peel off when removed from any surface. No one thought there was any use for such a product, until another scientist, Art Fry, realized that the little pieces of paper made great bookmarks for his church songs without leaving residue on the page.

(Source: HuffPost)

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Velcro

A dog played a crucial role in the discovery of velcro. Swiss engineer George de Mestral was out hunting with his pooch and noticed the annoying tendency of burrs to stick to its fur (and his socks). Later, looking under a microscope, Mestral observed the tiny "hooks" that stuck burrs to fabrics and furs. Ta-da, velcro is born. Though it wasn't until two decades later that NASA's fondness for velcro popularized the technology.

(Source: NBC News)

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"Name the greatest of all inventors. - Accident."
- Mark Twain

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