Superglue, penicillin, microwave. Top 7 Random Inventions That Changed the World

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History knows many examples when prominent and not very scientists inadvertently created something without which it is impossible to imagine our life today. How superglue appeared, with what mistake the pacemaker was invented, and also how morphine and Coca-Cola are connected - read in our material.

Bubble wrap

The invention, which serves as a reliable packaging for fragile items and at the same time relieves stress, can only be called accidental. And that's why. In the 1950s, American businessman Alfred Fielding and Swede Mark Chavan decided to create something that would certainly make them rich.

To begin with, startups came up with wallpaper by gluing two curtains from the bathroom. In the process, air bubbles got between them, which gave the interior element an unusual look. However, among consumers, this topic has not "taken off".

However, unlucky at first glance, businessmen did not give up and looked for their niche. And finally found her. The authors of the invention realized that such a film can wrap fragile items for transportation: the air absorbs the mechanical impact well. The finest hour came when the invention was noticed by IBM, which at that time launched the mass production of computers. As a protection against damage, bubble wrap turned out to be just in time.

Penicillin

But about the first effective antibiotic in the history of mankind, we can unequivocally say: it was invented absolutely by accident. In 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming conducted an experiment with bacteria in the laboratory. The study was routine. However, having grown a culture colony related to staphylococcus, he drew attention to one detail. On some test tubes, an ordinary mold has formed, like the one that appears on food. And, characteristically, no bacteria were observed near it. Fleming realized that the mold contained an element that could destroy bacterial infections.

After some time, the scientist was able to isolate a substance that he called "penicillin". This antibiotic is believed to have saved tens of millions of lives.

Coca Cola

Of course, in this collection there is a place for the most popular soda in the world. And this is how it was. In the 1880s, pharmacist John Stith Pemberton was a member of the Civil War. In the battles, he was pretty battered: he received many wounds and underwent even more operations. To somehow reduce the pain, the man began to use morphine. I quickly realized that it was highly addictive.

John began to look for a way to get rid of. And after months of manipulation, he created an alcohol-based drink, which included, among other things, cocaine and caffeine. But prohibition prevented: ALCOHOL had to be replaced with SUGAR syrup. It was then that the drink got its famous name. At first, cola was sold exclusively in pharmacies as a multifunctional medicine for various diseases and addictions.

However, during the life of Pemberton, his invention did not gain commercial success, and John himself died a poor man. The triumph came after the rights to the drink were bought by Asa Griggs Candler, making the soda public domain.

pacemaker

The invention of this device, vital for the HEALTH of millions of people, was the result of a mistake. In 1956, American engineer Wilson Greatbatch worked on improving a device designed to record heart rate. During the experiment, he installed the wrong transistor, which, instead of reading data, began to imitate a heartbeat.

The scientist demonstrated the find to another surgeon, William Chardak. Together they made the device better. Two years later, the pacemaker was successfully installed in the dog's heart. And in 1960, a successful operation was performed on a human organ.

Super glue

In the midst of World War II (it was 1942), the US chemist Harry Coover was working on the creation of plastic sights. Conducting another experiment, he drew attention to the resulting substance, which was distinguished by increased stickiness. True, the scientist was not hooked, and he forgot about the sudden discovery.

After 9 years, working together with a colleague, he again synthesized a substance called cyanoacrylate. Scientists realized that it can be used in everyday life as an effective glue. And they did not fail, giving mankind immortal superglue, which is used all over the globe.

By the way, cyanoacrylates are used, among other things, in military field medicine, replacing the usual sutures.

Microwave

This invention can also be called the brainchild of wartime. Already at the end of World War II, the American Percy Spencer was developing a microwave emitter for a defense order. While conducting a routine experiment, he noticed that the chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. The scientist wondered: should not waves be used to heat food?

No sooner said than done. Two years later, experts showed the world the first microwave oven. At first, however, the samples were very bulky and were used mainly for the military. However, they were quickly applied in the civilian sector. In 1955, the first prototypes of compact microwave ovens were manufactured, and after 7 years mass production was launched.

x-ray radiation

Radiation, without which it is impossible to imagine modern medicine, was discovered back in 1895.

The German physicist Wilgel Konrad Roentgen, while conducting experiments with a cathode tube, drew attention to a paper screen lying nearby, covered with a layer of barium. When current was passed through the tube, the screen took on a greenish tint. If the current is turned off, it turns white again. After several manipulations, Roentgen came to the conclusion that radiation can penetrate many solid materials and illuminate photographic plates.

Quite quickly, X-ray radiation, named after the scientist, came to medicine, as well as physics, where it began to be used to study the structure of substances.

| Alexander NOVOKHROST, photo from open Internet sources.

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