Synthetic plastic was accidentally created in 1907 while Leo Hendrik Baekeland was trying to develop an alternative to expensive shellac. The unique polymer that he found when mixing together two materials was resistant to heat and stress. It became one of the most important substances known to man, without which giant AT-AT walkers and large bottles of pop would be impossible to make.
1. Anaesthetic
Laughing gas was a common recreational drug in use during the 19th century. Men and woman would inhale nitrous oxide at parties for a bit of the ol' fun. Horace Wells was at such a party once when he saw a man who had banged his leg, which was bleeding heavily, experience no pain whatsoever thanks to the nitrous oxide. He then then had the idea of using it in surgery - a decision that proved popular with people who preferred not to feel pain when their bodies were being sawn open. Like this article? Let us know in the comments section below.
