11 Scientific Discoveries That Were Total Accidents

11. Graham Crackers (To Stop You Masturbating)

The Graham Cracker, popular in America as a base to the melty, marshmallowy goodness of s'mores, was originally invented by the boot-faced, fun-hating presbyterian minister, Sylvester Graham.

Far from its sweetly cinnamony modern cousin, the original Graham crackers were actually intended to prevent masturbation and other forms of "self-abuse" - although it's not exactly clear how. Seeing as masturbation and sexual urges were seen as the cause of a great many undesirable characteristics, ranging from rolled shoulders to blindness, Graham felt duty bound to put a stop to it.

One of Grahams theories is that eating bland food would curb sexual appetite. Graham himself ate a practically vegan diet, with very limited amounts of butter and as little flavouring as possible (sounds like a hoot) and the original crackers were similarly tough, bland and joyless. Kellog's cornflakes were also invented with a similar purpose in mind.

Luckily, the fun police lost the battle against self-love and the Graham Cracker evolved into the sugary goodness that it is today.