Accidental Inventions is full of amazing stories about the haphazard ways in which many things we take for granted--including dynamite, anesthesia, stainless steel, and cellophane--were created by visionaries in pursuit of other outcomes. Percy Spencer, inventor of the microwave oven, held 225 patents and was resident genius at Raytheon, the company that supplied magnetrons for the U.S. military's radar capabilities in World War II. Noting that magnetrons could melt chocolate and pop popcorn, Spencer designed a 750-pound microwave oven in 1946; it would be another 21 years before a home version was on the market. Another inventor, Spencer Silver, trying to create a powerful glue came up with a weak one instead--a perfect adhesive for Post-It notes. Similar stories surround the birth of matchsticks, Velcro, and Teflon. Combining interview clips, dramatic re-enactments, archival photos, and 3-D graphics, Accidental Inventions offers an entertaining and educational look at the genesis of 10 extraordinary inventions. DVD extras include 30 minutes of bonus material about the science behind many of the inventions, as well as a printable teaching guide. Highly recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (T. Keogh)
Accidental Inventions
(2004) 84 min. DVD: $29.95. Jumby Bay Studios. PPR. Color cover. ISBN: 0-9744350-4-X. Volume 19, Issue 5
Accidental Inventions
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