Discovery

by Hla Min

Updated : Sept 2025

Serendipity

Some inventions are attributed to Serendipity. Three notable examples are

• Discovery of X-rays
  X stands for “Unknown”. German scientist Wilhelm Rontgen discovered X-radiation (unknown type of radiation) on November 8, 1895. Other names include X-ray, Xray and Röntgen radiation.
• Discovery of Penicillin
  Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin in 1928.

• 3M’s Post-it notes
  Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M, accidentally discovered a weak glue in 1968. Arthur Fry obtained permission from 3M to develop “sticky notes” in 1974.

Kekule’s Dream

• Friedrich August Kekulé, a German chemist, was searching for the structure of Benzene, which has six Carbon atoms and six Hydrogen atoms.
• In 1865, he had a day-dream where a snake’s head tried to bite its tail. Was an “Aha” moment for him. Figured out the ring shape of the Benzene molecule.
• Some use this example as the power of the subconscious mind in solving problems.

Saya Dr. Soe Win wrote :

The structure of benzene is indeed a significant discovery in the history of science.