BETA
Chapter 1
Cosmic twins of history
Chapter 2
Written in the stars
Chapter 3
Luck of the battlefield
Chapter 4
The science of serendipity
YOUR GOAL
Master of History's greatest coincidences
Ch 4 · The science of serendipity
misslily Match history's greatest coincidences to discover the science behind accidental breakthroughs.
misslily The science of serendipity
Same name, same day! Same name, same day! Two different Dennises across the sea!
misslily Scientists Carl Wilhelm Scheele and Joseph Priestley independently discovered oxygen gas within two years of each other in the 1770s.
misslily Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when a stray mold spore accidentally drifted into an uncovered petri dish in his London laboratory.
Fun Fact
Microwave invention: The chocolate bar that melted in Percy Spencer's pocket, sparking the invention of the microwave, was a peanut butter cluster.
Glossary
serendipity (noun)
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. In 1928, Alexander Fleming experienced this when a contaminated petri dish led to his discovery of penicillin.
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. In 1928, Alexander Fleming experienced this when a contaminated petri dish led to his discovery of penicillin.
Quiz
Which chemical element was independently discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele and Joseph Priestley?
Quiz
On what calendar date in 1876 did Alexander Graham Bell file his telephone patent?
Quiz
Which scientist accidentally discovered penicillin after leaving a petri dish uncovered in 1928?
Quiz
What type of mold contaminated Alexander Fleming's petri dish to create penicillin?
Quiz
What snack food did Percy Spencer use to test microwave heating after his chocolate melted?
Quiz
Who was the rival inventor who filed a patent caveat for the telephone on the same day as Bell?