Accidental : the greatest (unintentional) scientific breakthroughs and how they changed the world / Tim James.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

James, Tim, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Discoveries in science.

Science.

science (modern discipline).

Genre:

Case studies.

Physical Description:

x, 212 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London, UK : Robinson, [2024]

Summary:

We may imagine that science is a process of breakthroughs and light bulb moments. But in reality, science goes wrong 99% of the time. Almost every idea a scientist comes up with is quickly disproved by a failed experiment or rival research. Science moves at a rate of inches per decade and we often like it that way. But occasionally, just occasionally, a complete fluke happens and changes everything as we know it. From an untimely sneeze in a petri dish leading to the groundbreaking creation of antibiotics, to the incredible discovery of microwaves via melted chocolate, Accidental is a rip-roaring adventure through science gone wrong, and accidentally changing humanity for the better.

Contents:

Introduction : it wasn't supposed to do that

What counts as "accidental"?

Clumsiness

Misfortunes and failures

Surprises

Eurekas.

ISBN:

9781472148414

147214841X

9781472148407

1472148401

OCLC:

1415633472