#16: Silly Putty
During WWII, engineer James Wright stumbled upon Silly Putty while aiming to create a cost-effective rubber alternative for the US War Production Board. His accidental combination of boric acid with silicone oil birthed a more elastic and lively substance than rubber. This peculiar material could even replicate newspaper images, showcasing its unique properties.
Initially considered a failure by the General Electric lab and disregarded by the US government for not significantly outperforming existing synthetic rubbers, Silly Putty took an unexpected journey to fame. Peter Hodgson saw potential in this quirky substance and branded it ‘Silly Putty.’ It skyrocketed to become a beloved children’s toy, spanning generations and remaining a favorite to this day.