People & Scientists
Who was Alexander Fleming?
A Scottish scientist who discovered penicillin
What did Fleming discover?
Penicillin (first antibiotic)
What accidental discovery did Fleming make?
He discovered mould that killed bacteria
Where did Fleming go for two weeks?
He went on holiday.
Who was George Crum?
A hotel chef who invented crisps
What problem led to the invention of crisps?
A customer complained the potatoes were too thick and soggy
What happened in the kitchen that led to crisps?
He sliced potatoes very thin and made crispy chips
What does “penicillin” mean in Latin?
Paintbrush.
Who was Spencer Silver?
A scientist who created weak glue (Post-it idea)
What was Spencer Silver trying to create?
A very strong glue (but he created a weak one instead)
How did Post-it® notes appear?
Art Fry used weak glue on paper for notes
Where was Crum’s hotel located?
In the city of Saratoga.
What did Fleming and Silver both do in science?
They all made discoveries that changed everyday life
What does it mean that Silver’s discovery was “a solution without a problem”?
It was useful, but no one needed it at first
Why are accidents important in these stories?
Small accidents can lead to big inventions
What did Silver’s invention become known as?
A “solution without a problem.”
What is similar about all three people in the texts?
All are people whose accidental or unusual work led to inventions
What is common in all three discoveries?
They all led to important everyday products or medicine
What lesson do we learn from all three stories?
Mistakes or accidents can create important discoveries
When did Art Fry use the glue successfully?
In 1974.