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Invented By Mistake Trivia Quiz

Lots of smart people have set out to solve a particular problem and come up with a great invention. This is a quiz to celebrate all those inventions that have just happened by mistake. Have fun.

A multiple-choice quiz by megrim. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
megrim

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
318,354

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1215

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which medical wonder drug was discovered when Alexander Fleming accidentally left his experiments out on his workbench when he went on holiday? Hint

Aspirin

Acyclovir

Tamoxifen

Penicillin

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which sticky invention had its origin in country walks and has saved millions of schoolchildren from having to learn how to tie shoelaces? Hint

Velcro

Sellotape

Hook and eye

Zipper

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who discovered the process of vulcanization when he accidentally dropped rubber and sulphur onto a hot stove? Hint

John Macadam

Charles Goodyear

Robert Bridgestone

RW Thomson

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which household item was invented by accident during World War II whilst using radar to find a way to pinpoint German ammunition stores? Hint

Robot floor cleaner

Cell phone

Microwave oven

Induction hob

5. Post-it Notes were invented when Spencer Silver tried to make extra-sticky glue but instead came up with a tacky glue that could easily be lifted off. How did Arthur Fry come up with the idea of using this tacky glue to make Post-it Notes? Hint

His childrens' pictures kept slipping off the fridge

His secretary's telephone notes kept blowing away

His wife's shopping lists kept falling on the floor

His hymn book markers kept falling out

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was invented when a doctor tried to improve the vegetarian diet of hospital patients? Hint

Corn flakes

Baked beans

Wheatgrass juice

Soy protein

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who invented the chocolate chip cookie? Hint

Otis Spunkmeyer

Kate Amos

Ruth Wakefield

Mrs Fields

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which medicinal soft drink was invented by John Pemberton? Hint

Irn-bru

Dr Pepper

Coca-Cola

Vimto

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Question 9 of 10

9. What children's favourite was invented when James Wright dropped boric acid into silicone oil? Hint

Play-Doh

Blu Tac

Silly Putty

Soft Stuff

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Question 10 of 10

10. What word means "the act of making fortunate discoveries by accident"? Hint

Serendipity

Defenestration

Obfuscation

Lucubration

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which medical wonder drug was discovered when Alexander Fleming accidentally left his experiments out on his workbench when he went on holiday?

Answer: Penicillin

Fleming was researching staphylococcus bacteria, but had disappeared on holiday for a month leaving his experiments out on a work bench. On his return he found that one of the cultures had been contaminated by mould that had destroyed the adjacent staphylococci. Fleming called this active substance Penicillin, and with the help of Florey and Chain it went on to become the world's first anti-biotic drug.

2. Which sticky invention had its origin in country walks and has saved millions of schoolchildren from having to learn how to tie shoelaces?

Answer: Velcro

Swiss engineer George de Mestral got the idea for Velcro by studying the burrs that stuck to his clothes after country walks. It still took him eight years to perfect his invention, which consists of a nylon strip composed of tiny hooks and a matching strip of nylon loops. Velcro is now found in lots of places, including shoes.

3. Who discovered the process of vulcanization when he accidentally dropped rubber and sulphur onto a hot stove?

Answer: Charles Goodyear

Goodyear always denied that it was an accident! John Macadam developed a method of building roads using a bound aggregate. RW Thomson invented and patented the pneumatic tyre in 1845. Bridgestone tyres were founded in Japan in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi - there was no Mr Bridgestone.

4. Which household item was invented by accident during World War II whilst using radar to find a way to pinpoint German ammunition stores?

Answer: Microwave oven

Percy Spencer was working on building magnetrons for radar sets that could detect German arsenals. Whilst assessing one of these magnetrons, he put his hand into his pocket to retrieve a chocolate bar and found it had been completely melted. He then went on to test his discovery with popcorn and eggs (which of course exploded).

Answer: His hymn book markers kept falling out

The tacky glue meant that the markers could be peeled off the hymn book pages without tearing them. Post-it Notes have become an essential bit of office stationery equipment.

6. What was invented when a doctor tried to improve the vegetarian diet of hospital patients?

Answer: Corn flakes

John Harvey Kellogg was also convinced of a connection between good health and chastity. Therefore, he served his patients dull and bland foods to discourage any sexual desires.

7. Who invented the chocolate chip cookie?

Answer: Ruth Wakefield

The story goes that Ruth Wakefield was out of cooking chocolate for her cookies (which would melt). So she substituted ordinary chocolate instead (which didn't melt).

8. Which medicinal soft drink was invented by John Pemberton?

Answer: Coca-Cola

John Pemberton cooked up a mixture of African cola nuts and South American coca leaves, believing that the syrup would make an excellent tonic. Coca-Cola was born!

9. What children's favourite was invented when James Wright dropped boric acid into silicone oil?

Answer: Silly Putty

Silly Putty has even been used in space to stop tools from drifting off in zero gravity. Play-Doh was also an accidental invention - it started out as a wallpaper cleaner.

10. What word means "the act of making fortunate discoveries by accident"?

Answer: Serendipity

Serendipity comes from the Persian story "The Three Princes of Serendip". Obfuscation means to make something deliberately confusing; defenestration means to throw someone out of a window; and lucubration means to work by night.

Source: Author megrim

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
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