The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation Season 7 Episode 28 Accidental Inventions

The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation season 7 episode 28 is entitled "Accidental Inventions." The episode showcases some of the most significant and influential inventions that were created by chance or discovered accidentally.

In this episode, viewers are introduced to a few groundbreaking inventions that changed the course of history because of occurrences that were never intended. The show's host, Mo Rocca, takes viewers through the intriguing stories behind each invention and the journey the inventors took before making their discoveries.

The episode opens by highlighting the discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish biologist. Rocca delves into the story behind the miracle drug that revolutionized medicine and saved millions of lives. He talks about how Fleming almost threw away his chance discovery but eventually realized its significance. Rocca also interviews a medical historian who explains the impact of penicillin on society.

Next, the show shifts its focus to chocolate chip cookies, one of America's most beloved treats. Rocca explains how the cookie came about accidentally, thanks to Ruth Wakefield. Wakefield was a famous American chef who ran the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. One day, Wakefield ran out of baker's chocolate when baking cookies and instead used chopped-up pieces of a Nestle chocolate bar. The cookies were a hit, and a new recipe was born. Rocca visits the Toll House Inn for a firsthand look at the history of the chocolate chip cookie.

In addition, the episode highlights how cheese came to be discovered accidentally. It delves into the story of how a nomadic Arab tribesman, traveling on horseback with milk stored in animal bladders, stumbled upon cheese when the enzymes in the rennet lining of the bladder reacted with the milk to form curds and whey. Rocca speaks to experts in the field of cheese-making, who explain the science behind the process.

The episode also features an interview with an inventor who accidentally created the Super Soaker water gun while trying to invent a new cooling system for NASA. Lonnie Johnson, an engineer and inventor, talks about how his initial prototype was tested at a neighborhood barbecue, where it was declared a hit by the kids. Johnson now holds over 80 patents and talks about the importance of pursuing curiosity and never being afraid to fail.

Furthermore, the show looks at the origin story of the microwave oven, which was discovered by accident during World War II. Percy Spencer, a scientist working for the Raytheon Corporation, was conducting radar tests when he noticed that the candy bar in his pocket had melted. After further investigation, he realized that the microwaves produced by the radar equipment had caused the candy to melt. He then created the microwave oven. Rocca speaks to a physicist who explains the science behind how microwaves work and how they are used in microwave ovens.

The final segment of the episode is dedicated to a fascinating invention called the Slinky, which was stumbled upon by accident. Richard James, a naval engineer, created a spring to stabilize fragile equipment on ships. One day, he accidentally knocked the spring from a shelf, and it tumbled down a few steps. James' wife Betty loved watching the way the spring gracefully stepped down the stairs. They then created the Slinky, which became an instant hit and an enduring symbol of American pop culture. Rocca meets with the son of Richard and Betty James, who carries on their legacy by continuing to produce Slinky toys today.

Overall, "Accidental Inventions" is a fascinating and engaging episode that takes viewers on a journey through history. It highlights how some of the most important and popular inventions of all time came to be, through unforeseen circumstances and pure chance. The show serves as a reminder that sometimes the most significant discoveries can come from the most unexpected places.