Incredible Inventions Inspired By Mistakes!

Sometimes our mistakes can lead to popular innovations. The items discussed in this video are proof that we have seen some incredible inventions inspired by mistakes.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @rhettyforhistory
All music can be found on the subscription service Epidemic Sound.
Mail is always welcome at:
Rhetty for History
P.O. Box 850593
Yukon, OK 73085
Join me on Instagram
/ rhettyforhistory
#inventions #innovation #nostalgia

[@jayalexander3356]

"What walks down stairs alone or in pairs and makes a slinkity sound....." 54 and still remember every word to that commercial.

[@diannemose244]

Remember using silly putty for lifting comics off newspapers

[@joeheid2776]

I had Silly Putty and a Slinky as a kid!! Great fun!!!

[@RhettyforHistory]

They were hours of fun and are some of the original fight toys! Thank you for watching!

[@pamelas1002]

OK. I loved the Slinky. I had a Slinky. But, alas, it NEVER walked downstairs for me like it did in the commercial! 🤣

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Pamela? Did you have a plastic one or a metal one?

[@pamelas1002]

@@RhettyforHistory metal. I don't think the plastic ones were being made when I had my Slinky.

[@TH-hy9kr]

Mine never did either but they make a satisfying sound.

[@pamelas1002]

@@TH-hy9kr 😂

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

You have to have very narrow stair steps for it to work. We didn't. 😢

[@thehapagirl92]

Thank goodness for Ruth Wakefield for serendipitously creating cookies. I have “serendipity” tattooed on my inner right wrist. It means a happy accident/finding something good while not looking for it or while looking for something else. I also got the tattoo after the movie Serendipity where Kate Beckinsale’s character tells John Cusack’s character that Fleming discovering penicillin was an act of serendipity.

[@louisianarainwater]

😊😊😊

[@jenniferhansen3622]

And just imagine being the kid in the neighborhood whose mother invented chocolate chip cookies. "My mom doesn't just give me chocolate chip cookies and milk after school...She invented chocolate chip cookies!" Imagine being able to say that! Very cool! 😊

[@RhettyforHistory]

It really is a real thing and it is pretty amazing to see things like that happen. Thank you for watching and sharing what you have thehapagirl92!

[@girlgamergear3260]

Slinkys are local here. The James family is a well known name. His wife ran the company for years.

[@RhettyforHistory]

That is very cool. Thank you for watching and sharing a little more about them.

[@diamond6719]

It was a boring toy. And it did not do what they showed in the commercial.

[@haroldfrets5468]

Where is HERE?... IF I May

[@girlgamergear3260]

@@haroldfrets5468 Slinky come from Hollidaysburg, PA.

[@AngelaGoodwin-fh6fw]

As a history and nostalgia buff, I love this. Happy New Year everyone!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Angela and Happy New Year to you!

[@scottfrenz]

This was a very interesting topic! Please do a part two 👍😊!

[@RhettyforHistory]

There are definitely a lot more to cover. Thank you for watching Scott!

[@pinksparkle258]

THANK GOD FOR THE INVENTOR OF POTATO CHIPS!! 🥰❤

[@RhettyforHistory]

I'm a big fan of them as well.

[@D-Fens_1632]

I'd keep that story quiet, it might encourage people to make unreasonable demands to wait staff thinking they're being innovators.

[@DaveTheRred]

Thanks for the homework done on these videos! I try to watch them all. I grew up in the '70's and remember most of the things you bring up.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Dave!

[@queenbunnyfoofoo6112]

Safety glass was a game changer. I remember watching a history video about the decrease in injuries when it replaced plate glass.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching queenbunnyfoofoo6112!

[@solascripturamjc9681]

Ahhhh, who doesn't remember Slinky and Silly Putty! And some of these life-saving inventions- awesome!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching solascripturamjc9681!

[@VickiCampbell-1216]

I love and appreciate accidental innovation. I know the saying is "Necessity is the Mother of Invention", but it could also be "Accidental Imagination is the Mother of Invention". 😊🤓

[@RhettyforHistory]

You're right about that. I have always been fascinated how things are invented. Thank you for watching Vicki!

[@matt007]

I had a few Slinkies growing up. Always seemed to end up bending them after a few days. 😂😂😂

[@user-EricWatson55]

Egon Spengler claimed to have straightened a Slinky in "Ghostbusters". 😎

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching matt007!

[@spaceghost27]

thanks for the research Rhetty! i actually did a college power point on the invention of silly putty for a class assignment.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and telling us about your assignment spaceghost!

[@MillerMeteor74]

My memory of Silly Putty was spreading it out over newsprint and having the print transferred on it, backwards of course. That was fun. I got my Slinky in 1980 and still have it. But it was frustrating that our stairway had carpet, so it never worked well.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and sharing your memories with us MillerMeteor74!

[@Rutabaga64]

I love this topic, I'd love to see more videos like it! Like so many folks in my generation, I remember spending so much time using Silly Putty to copy pictures from the Sunday funnies. 😀

[@RhettyforHistory]

Silly Putty and the paper was hours of fun! Thank you for watching Rutabaga64!

[@pamelas1002]

Me too! Loved it!

[@everydayentertainment8574]

Great video as always Rhetty. You’re a national treasure and keep the memories alive for all of us. Your voice fits the narration perfectly. Thank you for all that you do.

[@RhettyforHistory]

You're welcome and thank you for watching everydayentertainment8574!

[@kirkmorrison6131]

I have used most of these. I use slinkjys for ham radio antennas. I am always using super glue building ship and other models. I have had so many X-RAYS that i am surprised i don't glow in the dark.

[@RhettyforHistory]

That is interesting to hear about using a Slinky for a ham radio antenna. I guess I should have thought about someone doing that but I just never realized it. Thank you for watching Kirk!

[@kirkmorrison6131]

@@RhettyforHistory You pull two of them out until you hit the frequency you want and stretch them between supports

[@janedee6488]

Interesting stories. Thanks 😊

[@RhettyforHistory]

You're welcome and thank you for watching Jane!

[@brianquilty687]

Great research Rett ! Had both a slinky and silly putty as a child.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Brian!

[@diandian9827]

I have always been fascinated by this kind of topic. The key is not just a "mistake", but that the inventor noticed a potential use for the object.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching diandian9827!

[@KatClem46]

Wow! Cures in four hours? That's pretty impressive. 😄 Really enjoyed this video. I knew about the slinky and maybe one or two others. But for the most part, I had no idea about the other inventions/products. It was very informative and entertaining. 👍

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching KatClem46!

[@cowboydiecastracing]

Always enjoy the content this channel produces!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and I'm happy to hear you are enjoying the content.

[@BrianMcKnight68]

In the 70’s, a locally owned shoe store here in Cincinnati named Marmer’s had an X-ray machine “in a box”. It sat on the floor and ran constantly… it never turned off. You could just stick your foot in it and get an instant X-ray. Of course, we were kids, so we stuck our hands, feet, legs, arms…. anything we could fit, in that thing. Can you imagine how dangerous that was?? OMG!!

[@RhettyforHistory]

That really was a thing that many shoe stores had before they realized the dangers of it. Think about how many times a year a kid could be in there. Thank you for watching Brian!

[@salemslotandmore8278]

Thanks for the List and Video (and the Information) 😀

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching salemslotandmore8278!

[@st.charlesstreet9876]

Absolutely Fascinating! These individuals have made our lives a lot more adventurous not to mention fun🎉

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching st.charlesstreet9876!

[@lanacampbell-moore6686]

Happy New Year's Rhetty🍾🥂❤

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and Happy New Year to you Lana!

[@shannondore]

I didn't know that's how Velcro was invented, that's interesting. I love silly putty! As a kid it was fun to put it on the funnies and copy the pics. As an adult it makes a good stress reliever.😆 Happy New Year!!🎉😊

[@RhettyforHistory]

I really loved Silly Putty and could spend hours doing all sorts of stuff with it. Thank you for watching and Happy New Year shannondore!

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

I like popping bubble wrap. Very therapeutic, lol.

[@jpgabobo]

Love your content! I was always under the impression that "crazy glue" was invented as a field suture for medics in the military.

[@RhettyforHistory]

They have definitely used it for that but that really wasn't done until the Vietnam War. Thank you for watching!

[@PHBRNTGGR2]

My friends kitten was born with its guts falling out. She used glue to close her up. She named her Elmer and she lived.

[@jayalexander3356]

Twinkies! They were my favorite. It was a good day when I had one in my lunch box.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching jayalexander3356!

[@ZMAN_420]

Great video as usual! Everyone have a great new year!👍🏻🇺🇲

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and Happy New Year ZMAN_420!

[@bryanv4081]

Great idea! Great video! What interesting information.❤

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Bryan!

[@bryanv4081]

@@RhettyforHistory Thank YOU!

[@kirkmorrison6131]

Have a happy and blessed New Year to you and yours Retty

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you and I hope you have a Happy New Year as well!

[@kirkmorrison6131]

@@RhettyforHistory You're most welcome my friend and thank you

[@kenbrown2808]

here's a bonus mistake: a chemist was working on a new formula for superglue, and ended up with the opposite - an adhesive that barely stuck at all. he was talking to his roommate - a choir director, who was having trouble keeping his bookmarks from falling out of his music books, and post it notes were the final result.

[@RhettyforHistory]

That is definitely a good one to have in a future episode. Thank you for watching Ken!

[@kenbrown2808]

@@RhettyforHistory the story of brown and serve bread is an interesting one, too. that's a little too long for a comment section post, though.

[@monikameza4107]

Thank you Rhetty for sharing this interesting video, and thanks to Mr. Röntgen for inventing the X-ray machine.

[@RhettyforHistory]

You're welcome and thank you for watching Monika!

[@TheUluxian]

There are several others...Play-Doh, Ivory soap, popsicles, insulin, the color mauve, Teflon, Corning ware, Post-it notes, cellophane wrap..all accidents.

[@RhettyforHistory]

You are correct about that. There is always room for more episodes! Thank you for watching!

[@caroleroseburgh1344]

Hi Rhett 🙋🏽. Happy New Year to you and your Family 🎉

[@RhettyforHistory]

Hello Carole! Thank you for watching and I hope you have a Happy New Year!

[@caroleroseburgh1344]

@@RhettyforHistory thank You Rhett 🙋🏽.

[@andeeharry]

accidents makes the bestt things,, that's how revolutionary discoveries happen. Accidents discoveries are always great

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching andeeharry!

[@treefood100]

Thank you for sharing, Some of these things history could be lost to time. The more logging of the more simpler things give me hope it will be around forever.

[@RhettyforHistory]

You're welcome and thank you for watching treefood100!

[@RobinMarconeCassidyRN]

Thanks Rhetty! Happy New Year All!!!🍾

[@RhettyforHistory]

You're welcome and Happy New Year Robin!

[@luisreyes1963]

Serendipity certainly gave us some interesting ideas. 💡

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Luis!

[@lindaeasley5606]

I remember Penicillin as a kid being prescribed as a pink liquid like Pepto Bismal

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Linda!

[@jaysw9585]

Surprized the sticky note wasnt mentioned. They were trying ro make an industrial glue and failed miserably. However, it had just enough adhesive for notepads. The QWERTY typewriter was designed to make typists more careful when typing. Ironically, the problem was solved when a frustrated secretary mixed a bunch of random chemicals and discovered whiteout.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

It was invented by the mom of Mike Nesmith of the Monkees.

[@RhettyforHistory]

There is definitely a lot more out there for future episodes. Thank you for watching jaysw9585!

[@joeylee2891]

I'm sure glad those chocolate bits did not melt😊

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Rhetty. Happy New Year.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and Happy New Year to you!

[@DavidSquires-iy4uv]

HAPPY 😊 NEW YEAR'S DAY FROM DETROIT, MICHIGAN! 1:10 1:11

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and Happy New Year David!

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

The velcro segment reminded me of when I had my first horse. He had a long tail and would get those awful cockleburs in it. They were a b***h to get out! 🤬 Velcro is a great invention though. Nice video!😊

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Mick_Ts_Chick! Those burrs really are a pain!

[@EGSBiographies-om1wb]

I thought Sub Commander T Pau introduced velcro to planet earth !! LOL !!!

[@stanford-nf4jk]

I always thought it was neat that potato chips were invented out of spite, so to speak. Like, “ The customer says they’re too thick and soggy, huh? I’ll SHOW him thin and crispy potatoes” and the rest was history.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching stanford-nf4jk!

[@Istandby666]

Don't fear to fail. It's within our failures where we find success.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching kysb7119!

[@israelvaldez26]

As always thanks for the memories and I hope that you have a happy new year!

[@RhettyforHistory]

You're welcome and Happy New Year to you as well!

[@israelvaldez26]

@@RhettyforHistory thank you!

[@brendakrieger7000]

Always fun!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Brenda!

[@sheilabock466]

Hey sir! Happy to see ya. Ive been away a bit. Another great video! Happy holidays to you and the family!❤

[@RhettyforHistory]

Hello Sheila! Good to see you and I hope things are going well for you. I hope you have a Happy New Year!

[@charliejoson9145]

Now this video is satisfying and I learned something new about "accidental inventions" though I swear I heard about the invention of chocolate chips and the now Nestle Toll House while I learned about the "invention" of potato chips from a short commercial on Nickelodeon back in the early 2000's . Happy New Year Rhetty. Here's to 2024 and more

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching charliejoson9145 and I hope you have a Happy New Year as well!

[@paulstan9828]

Interesting how inventions are sometimes by accident. Happy New Year Rhetty! 🇦🇺Happy New Year Jodie! 👋😁🎊🎉

[@RhettyforHistory]

Happy New Year to you Paul! Thank you for watching!

[@MrMegaFredZeppelin]

Another Excellent video👍🏻Happy New Year🥳🎉🎊ROCK ON!!!!!!!🤘🏻🤙🏻✌🏻

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and Happy New Year mrmegafredzeppelin4630!

[@WinterInTheForest]

Necessity may be the motherhood of invention but in many cases advancements ensued for the purpose of war.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching winterintheforest6242!

[@nathanday2595]

I wonder how long it took people to realize Silly Putty could copy comic strips and newspaper print?🤔

[@RhettyforHistory]

That is a good question. Someone must have accidentally left it on a newspaper. Thank you for watching!

[@jaimelacey2144]

The Toll House cookie was founded in my home town Whitman, MA.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and letting us know jaimelacey2144!

[@girlgamergear3260]

One of professors in college worked on the Radar Range. She worked on the technology during World War 2. She related the story that she would warn the sailors not to get in walk in front of the dishes. Of course, someone had to do it to see what happened and the chocolate bar in his pocket melted. (Interesting how stories change from one person telling them to another.)

[@van3158]

Uh huh…

[@RhettyforHistory]

That is interesting that she said that it was a sailor rather than the person credited with the patent on the microwave itself.

[@girlgamergear3260]

Her comment was she would warn them not to do it and then "some idiot always had to do it" and the commented about feeling warm inside! Could also be that what she was doing originally was classified, teaching how to run them on ships.

[@kenbrown2808]

@@girlgamergear3260 I knew a guy who was in the merchant marine in the 60s. he told me it was pretty common for the watch standers to stand in front of the radar antennas because it was warmer there. he didn't draw the connection until years later.

[@ladnitnnyldivad]

Don't be afraid to Superglue your Slinky to your Silly Putty.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Might be interesting to do! Thank you for watching!

[@dennislogan6781]

Super Glue can be used as a band aid if you ever get a cut. The US military did that in the Vietnam War.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Yes they dd. Thank you for watching Dennis!

[@HeathersHaven]

Goodness I loved Silly Putty! Cool Video!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Heather!

[@pinksparkle258]

Wait...what? At about the two min mark...is that lady putting a salad into the microwave?? 🥗😅

[@RhettyforHistory]

It definitely looks like it. There are strange people everywhere! Thank you for watching pinksparkle258!

[@louisianarainwater]

Chocolate chip cookies, potato chips and twinkies💚😁💚

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching louisianarainwater!

[@vasectomyfail442]

Silly puddy was a lot of fun, then you’re brother would drop it on the carpet, it would get covered in dirt and hair. Opening up a new egg of silly puddy was the best!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and sharing your memories vasectomyfail442!

[@angeliqueguerra1631]

Mmm twinkies! Thx for reminding me to put them on my grocery list!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching angeliqueguerra1631!

[@ScottRandolph-dd7dr]

🎉 greetings from coastal Mississippi. Thanks for your research. Quite interesting 😂

[@mckev1]

Very interesting!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching mckev1!

[@Shawn666Hellion]

Hmm who puts a salad in a microwave, lol😂 Awesome video btw

[@RhettyforHistory]

It's definitely strange! Thank you for watching Shawn!

[@TurdFergurson]

I got in trouble in middle school for putting one end of a slinky on my crotch and then throwing the other end over my shoulder.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and sharing your memories TurdFergurson!

[@deeblack9393]

The problem with penicillin is that some of us are allergic to it!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Yes they are. My daughter is one of them. Thank you for watching deeblack9393!

[@deeblack9393]

@RhettyforHistory I am also one of them. Symptoms can range from mild irritation up to and including death. Most doctors will err on the side of safety and not prescribe any cillan and advise patients to avoid anything even similar including all blue cheese varieties.

[@mudvalve]

I am allergic. I’ve known this since I was young. However, on the rare occasions when I’m asked what my reaction is to it, I don’t know the answer. The only person who knows is my late mother! I’m not curious enough to find out!

[@SierenH]

I love these kinds of videos, it amazing what can be invebted by accident. Just goes ti show you,, dont be afraid of take chances or be afraid you will make mistakes

[@diannemose244]

Who can forget Twinkies and Harvey Milk

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching diannemose244!

[@dallasjewett1295]

I remember in the movie Ghostbusters Egon Spengler loved Twinkie’s

[@scottthomas3792]

Post It notes were a mistake of sorts... If I'm not mistaken, you could get images from a newspaper on Silly Putty..

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching scottthomas3792!

[@randquadrozzi1280]

Just bought 3 eggs of silly putty to squeeze with my arthritic right hand.Wish they had it in glow in the dark when I was a kid

[@WeaponsEducation]

I want my lionel Train set back!

[@sammyspero3648]

I'm allergic to penicillin!

[@RhettyforHistory]

I have one daughter that is as well. Thank you for watching sammyspero3648!

[@ruthanneluvsvacuuming6653]

I would definitely prefer banana filling Cake icing is way too sweet

[@mikesilva3868]

Great 😊

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Mike!

[@mikesilva3868]

@@RhettyforHistory 🙃no problem

[@ossuary1982]

I thought super glue was invented as liquid stitches to close wounds during the war!?

[@RhettyforHistory]

It really wasn't used on wounds in war until Vietnam. Thank you for watching!

[@dwightherrington7793]

We only had one light bulb in our home and my father controlled it

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching dwightherrington7793!

[@nickimontie]

Happy New Year!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Happy New Year to you Nicki and thank you for watching!

[@leukybear]

2:03 Putting bowl of poke into the microwave is just wrong

[@RhettyforHistory]

I agree. Thank you for watching!

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

Silly Putty was the world’s first thumb drive.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching PianoMan!

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

@@RhettyforHistory 💯

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

You’ve been missing one ☝️ thing of days gone by. It belongs in one of your “Forgotten Foods” videos. When I went to the movies 🎥, I’d go 🆙 front to get an Astro Pop. In my description, they were a “conical” shaped lollipop 🍭. Pointed at the 🔝, wider at the bottom. They look 👀 like 👍 the name implies. Since 1978, I have never 👎 been able to describe the flavor of an Astro Pop, but I was sure to grab one ☝️ each time we went to the movies 🎥. Astro Pop’s weren’t an accidental (that I know of) invention, but they were “GREAT 😊 in 1978” to rhyme it. Happy 😊 (and safe) New Year. Your friend, Jeff.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

I loved Astropops! ❤

[@matthewblouin4267]

Post it notes were also invented by accident.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Yes they were. Thank you for watching Matthew!

[@TammieR-B]

Bubble wrap was created as wall paper first

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and sharing that little tid bit Tammie!

[@GUKingOfHeart]

Did you cover Car Cigarette lighters yet. (or maybe features older cars used to have). This reactor, didn't know what a cigarette lighter was when watching a movie scene.

[@RhettyforHistory]

I've mentioned them in a video or two about car features. Thank you for watching GUKingOfHeart!

[@RuggedCross1]

The choc chip cookie thing - I heard that story too but apparently its false

[@casteel765]

Good video... you still have that beautiful beard?

[@RhettyforHistory]

The beard is still here. Thank you for watching!

[@casteel765]

@@RhettyforHistory good deal.

[@tannarbuck7908]

2:04 why is she microwaving a salad?

[@RhettyforHistory]

Good question and that I do not know. Thank you for watching!

[@RuggedCross1]

And the potato chip thing isnt quite true either. The history of the potato chip goes back a couple of hundred years

[@janwong9437]

Stockton on Tees my birth town

[@msn64man1]

Slurpy

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching msn64man1!

[@jakespoon5549]

The potato chip story is wrong , they had been popular in England yrs before coming to the U.S.A.

[@EGSBiographies-om1wb]

58th

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching EGSBiographies-om1wb!

[@mudvalve]

You know where the name Velcro comes from? … neither do I! 🫣😀

[@mudvalve]

Just having fun, here’s the truth: De Mestral christened his new product "Velcro," from the French words velours (velvet) and crochet (hook).

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and giving us a little more background info.