We’ve all made mistakes in our lives. Sometimes we learn from those mistakes. Other times, we are just doomed to repeat them. There’s one more thing that you can do about your mistakes – accidentally create a popular item that revolutionizes a certain industry or changes the world forever. Here are 5 such things.
1.) Post-it Notes
In 1968, a Spencer Silver, a 3M scientist, accidentally invented an adhesive substance that could be reused. Unfortunately, no one at 3M or elsewhere thought much of this adhesive material and it remained without a use until 1974. In that year, Arthur Fry came up with the idea of using that adhesive material to make his bookmarks stick in his hymnbook. In 1977, 3M launched the Post-it, but it failed because no one knew what to do with it exactly. They started giving out free samples, and in 1980, the product was a success and was sold throughout the country.
2.) Slinky
Richard James, a naval engineer, was trying to develop a spring that would stabilize and support very sensitive equipment on ships and cruisers in 1943. When James accidentally knocked one of these springs off a shelf, he watched in amazement as it continued moving. He experimented with different types of steel wires and tensions until he found the one that worked best. His wife Betty called it the “Slinky,” which meant sleek and graceful. They sold their invention at $1 a piece.
3.) Potato Chips
George Crum was an annoyed chef in 1853. One of his customers kept sending back his fried potatoes, claiming they were too thick and soggy. Crum decided to slice the potatoes so thin, that the customer wouldn’t be able to use a fork. He also stir-fried the slices and put some extra salt on it. To his surprise, the customer loved these new “chips.” Crum dubbed them “Saratoga Chips.” They became popular in the Northeastern United States and soon spread like wildfire.
4.) The Sandwich
While the sandwich itself wasn’t invented by John Montagu, it was sure named after him. You see, Montagu was the 4th Earl of Sandwich. He ordered his valet and attendant to bring him meat between two pieces of bread. Since Montagu was an Earl, others in his area wanted the same as him and ordered “the same as Sandwich!” While this is still under debate, it is the most common story told regarding the sandwich.
5.) Popsicles
Frank Epperson was just 11 in 1905 when he accidentally created the popsicle. He left a mixture of of powered soda and water out on his porch, leaving his stirring stick in the mixture too. It just so happened that San Francisco’s weather reached a record low that night. The next morning, Epperson woke up to his mixture frozen on a stick. He called it the Epsicle. 18 years later, he revealed his creation to the public and renamed it the Popsicle, at his children’s request.
