Hi, I want to talk to you about some of the casual discoveries of science that have marked history. I hope you enjoy it.
Serendipity
Serendipity
If by casual it is understood that it seeks to obtain a substance, another is formed and its composition, its properties and the mechanism of formation are investigated, yes. Precisely a fortuitous discovery initiated the era of synthetic dyes. W.H. Perkin (1838-1907) was looking to synthesize quinine (an effective medicine against malaria) but obtained a dark residue that when dissolved in alcohol presented a purple hue and dyed wool and silk. With only 18 years he patented the idea and set up a company to exploit his dye (mauve or mallow), obtaining great profits. Later he synthesized other dyes and perfumes and when he was 36 years old he sold the company and dedicated the rest of his life to research in organic chemistry.
Other examples of this type of casual discoveries are:
Penicillin
Penicillin, an antibiotic discovered by Fleming while working with bacteria called golden staphylococci. Coincidentally, he discovered that the bacteria were destroyed by a very common fungus caused by the decomposition of things. This British scientist discovered, the sin to propose it, the bactericidal power (kill bacteria) of this mold called Penicillium Notatum, that is, penicillin.
Penicillin
Viagra
The famous pill of viagra was an accidental and surprising discovery. It happened in 1992, in the small town of Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales, while developing a series of tests with a new drug to treat angina. The participants of the trial suffered the side effects of sildenafil citrate and their body became the law of gravity, thus making known the miraculous pill of Viagra.
Viagra
Plastic
The plastics of which he spoke so much in my post. There is no file that was found in 1907, when Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland tries to find a substitute for shellac, varnish and wood preservation. The Belgian was a combination of formaldehyde and phenol, but it was not malleable. He decided to heat it under pressure in an iron pot and make it less rigid, achieving the substance he called "Bakelizer". It did not achieve its purpose, but, on the contrary, gave a light to the plastic, a material that marked the last decades.
Plastic
Coca-Cola
Even, Coca-Cola, considered by many as the most popular drink in history discovered accidentally in 1886. The one responsible for this was an accident was John Pemberton, an American doctor, who is looking for a remedy to soothe headaches, created a product composed of two things: extract of coca leaves and cola nuts. On one occasion, his assistant added carbonated water by mistake and Coca-Cola was born.
Cocacola
Just like these examples, there are many cases, there is no lack of being, these are the anecdotes, which many have given rise to the discoveries that have marked humanity.
If you know another one, you can comment on it;)
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References
Rosenman, M. F. (2001). SERENDIPITY AND SCIENTIFIC.
Didn't know about plastic and coca-cola, love learning stories like that. Sometimes all we need is a little nudge from the universe to help us discover something wonderful.
I think I have one from the top of my head. You know that game, Angry Birds, well apparently the company making it was on the verge of bankruptcy when they made the game and not only that, but it was their 40 something app after some unsuccessful ones. Sometimes persistence does pay off, only if we would push one more time, could we all have something magical in our lives? :)
I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, you are right to just need to push from the universe.
Yes, of course I know Andry Birds, I did not know their history, I find it interesting how they went from being on the edge of the bench to rotating an entire being. It is always fantastic to learn something new!