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One day, a German physicist was experimenting with cathode rays.

After a while, he noticed light hitting a piece of cardboard across the room.

There was a thick screen between the cathode

emitter and the cardboard and there was no light burning on the other side of the

room. He realized particles of energy must be passing through the screen. After a

few more experiments he found out that he could create images, like photos with

cathode radiation.

He had discovered the x-ray completely by accident.

In 1907, another scientist named Leo Bakalind was looking for a

cheaper insulation for electrical wires and in the process he created the world's

first synthetic plastic. He called it Bakelight. Bakelight became a big hit. It's

been used to make everything from telephones to airplane propellers. In fact,

Bakelight is still used today in billiard balls.

A pharmacist named John Pemberton also ran a few lab experiments.

He was looking for a way to cure headaches,

and he mixed up a concoction of cocoa leaves and

cola nuts. Later on his lab assistant accidentally added carbonated water and

Coca-Cola was born. Now that's what I call a happy accident.

Post-it-notes, Play-Doh.

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