Chapter 1
Playtime inventions born from happy accidents
Chapter 2
Famous foods discovered by pure chance
Chapter 3
Everyday technology designed for completely different uses
YOUR GOAL
Master of Surprising everyday origin stories
Ch 3 · Everyday technology designed for completely different uses
schopenhauer Bubble Wrap
Before it wrapped up packages to keep them safe and dry, It was a textured wallpaper designed to catch your eye!
schopenhauer The microwave oven was invented after a scientist noticed a radar vacuum tube had melted his chocolate bar.
schopenhauer Post-it Notes were created using an adhesive that was deemed a failure because it was too weak.
BETA
schopenhauer Decode the secret recipes to discover the surprising medical origins of famous fizzy drinks.
Fun Fact
Post-it yellow: The iconic canary yellow color of Post-it Notes was chosen purely because the lab next door only had yellow scrap paper.
Glossary
repurposing (noun)
The process of adapting an object or technology for a use other than its original design. In 1956, Kutol Products applied this concept by successfully rebranding their failing wallpaper cleaner as Play-Doh.
The process of adapting an object or technology for a use other than its original design. In 1956, Kutol Products applied this concept by successfully rebranding their failing wallpaper cleaner as Play-Doh.
Quiz
What type of traditional playing cards did Nintendo manufacture when it was founded in 1889?
Quiz
Which of these unusual businesses did Nintendo run before focusing entirely on video games?
Quiz
How did 3M employee Art Fry use Spencer Silver's weak adhesive to spark the idea for Post-it Notes?
Quiz
What ingredient did pharmacist John Pemberton remove from his tonic to create Coca-Cola in 1886?
Quiz
What was 3M scientist Spencer Silver trying to create when he accidentally invented the Post-it adhesive?
Quiz
Which military technology was Percy Spencer testing when he discovered the microwave's cooking power?
Quiz
What was the first food item Percy Spencer intentionally placed near the radar magnetron to cook?
Quiz
What natural object inspired Swiss engineer George de Mestral to invent Velcro in 1941?