Ingenious mistakes

When accidents and mishaps lead to surprising discoveries
A considerable number of great discoveries and insights would never have been made if it had not been for human errors, mistakes and accidents. Despite its bad reputation, the mistake is therefore the most underestimated hero of all learning processes, research and our everyday lives. Sometimes a supposed failure can save countless lives, such as the discovery and production of penicillin. In other cases, a mistake may lead to an unusual creation that is loved by many, such as tarte tatin. And we only know about batteries and matches because their inventors did not arrive at their destination by a direct route.

No fear of mistakes
This book presents nineteen of the most spectacular, amusing and impressive supposed mistakes of mankind. X-rays, for example, were only discovered because it was exceptionally dark in the laboratory, we owe superglue to a fortunate mishap during the development of better lenses for telescopes, and champagne, coffee and Velcro are also the result of unplanned processes.

This exciting non-fiction book not only shows the mishaps and coincidences that have advanced mankind, but also conveys an important message: only those who make mistakes make progress!

Cover
Hardcover edition

Age recommendation
from 6 year(s)

Publication date
17.03.2022