Accidental Food Inventions
This crispy snack was created when a chef tried to annoy a picky customer by slicing potatoes extra thin and frying them.
What are potato chips?
This non-stick kitchen material was discovered by accident while attempting to create a new refrigerant.
What is Teflon?
This fun, stretchable toy was created when a scientist was trying to make synthetic rubber during World War II.
What is Silly Putty?
This accidental discovery while testing radar equipment changed the way we heat food.
What is a microwave oven?
A scientist accidentally discovered this light, gas-filled material while attempting to develop a strong, new electrical insulator.
What is Styrofoam?
A scientist left bread exposed to airborne mold and ended up discovering this life-saving antibiotic.
What is penicillin?
The discovery of this antibiotic revolutionized medicine, helping fight bacterial infections.
What is penicillin?
This safety device, now found in most homes, was invented when a scientist was trying to create a sensitive instrument for measuring air pressure in airplanes.
What is a smoke detector?
This invention, originally developed to keep shoes from slipping, is now found on astronauts’ suits and kids’ sneakers alike.
What is Velcro?
While trying to find an alternative to quinine, a scientist stumbled upon this now-famous carbonated mixer.
What is tonic water?
The result of a chocolate bar melting in a scientist’s pocket near a magnetron, this snack changed the way we heat food.
What is a microwave oven?
This invention, originally intended for medical sutures, is now commonly used as an all-purpose household adhesive.
What is Super Glue?
This accidental discovery of a transparent, sticky material revolutionized how we stick things together.
What is Scotch Tape?
This colorful, bendable material was originally designed to be an alternative to rubber.
What is Silly Putty?
This metal-changing reaction, commonly seen on old pennies and the Statue of Liberty, is an example of an oxidation process.
What is patina?
This sweet treat was accidentally created when a baker was trying to make bread but added baking powder instead of yeast.
What is a muffin?
Used to help maintain heart rhythm, this medical device was discovered when a researcher was working on a way to record heart signals.
What is a pacemaker?
These sticky notes were created when an adhesive experiment resulted in a glue that wouldn’t dry completely.
What are Post-it Notes?
Discovered while trying to find an alternative to synthetic rubbers, this material is now used in everything from clothing to furniture.
What is nylon?
This gaseous byproduct of burning fossil fuels is a major contributor to global warming.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
This frozen dessert was born when a boy left a flavored drink with a stirring stick outside in the cold overnight.
What is a popsicle?
This pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug was discovered while testing coal tar derivatives for fever treatment.
What is Aspirin?
Invented while trying to create a strong, flexible sealant, this common household item bonds almost anything together instantly.
What is Super Glue?
This widely used plastic was discovered accidentally when a scientist was trying to develop a new type of synthetic resin.
What is Bakelite?
A scientist searching for a new type of synthetic dye accidentally created this brightly colored substance that became a fashion trend.
What is mauve (mauveine dye)