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Curiosity Stream

How a failed poison gas detector results in the invention of the smoke detector; a Russian genius tries to measure gas density, but ends up with musical instrument; the Theremin.

Oops I Changed the World

Lenin to Lady Gaga

How a party drug from the 19th Century, and a banged knee, lead to the invention of anaesthetics; electrotherapy and the true story behind the invention of telephone.

Sleeping On the Job

The search for an artificial form of quinine accidently creates the first artificial dye, Mauvine; a failed dry-cleaning fluid results in Saran Wrap.

How Saran Wrap Saved D-Day

A failed metal designed for gun barrels, becomes a kitchen favorite: surgical steel; messing around in a spectacle maker's shop leads to the telescope; a bag of dirt from a remote island contains a bacteria that helps stop aging.

Get A Grip

The accidents behind the inventions of post-it notes, Ex-lax, Graphene and the way a walk in the snow almost leads to nuclear Armageddon.

Laxative Lunacy

A misguided attempt to make plastic wallpaper results in bubble wrap; the precursor to a blood clotting drug becomes rave favorite, MDMA and a mopped-up kitchen spill creates smokeless explosive guncotton.

Bigger Bang

A clumsy lab worker leads to the invention of superglue; the accidents behind neuroscience, beer, and chemical hair relaxant.

Discovering Drink

A failed blood pressure medicine and an unexpectedly hairy woman lead to a cure for baldness; how messing around with a scientific toy gave us the x-ray.

Hair Raising Science

A Swiss chemist's attempt to make a lung drug results in LSD; the son of enslaved parents tries to reverse the fortunes of sharecroppers and inadvertently gives rise to PB&J.

Acid Test

A dirty laboratory and a vacation lead to the discovery of the first real weapon against bacteria: penicillin; a scientist's determination to test the wrong solution makes Kevlar.

Sweet Success

Fumes from a broken thermometer cause the invention of photography; Radar parts and a melting snack bar lead to the microwave.

Flash Of Success

Clumsy gesticulation throws a sample onto a stove, accidentally inventing vulcanized rubber; grabbing the wrong resistor leads to the pacemaker.

The Beat Goes On

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The fascinating stories of accidental and surprise inventions that have transformed lives.

S1 E7 | Hair Raising Science