

The Accidental Birth of Super Glue: Dr. Harry Coover's WWII Discovery
In the midst of World War II, Dr. Harry Coover was working on a project to create clear plastic gun sights for Allied soldiers. Little did he know, his efforts would lead to an accidental discovery that would revolutionize adhesives forever: cyanoacrylate, commonly known as Super Glue.
The Initial Discovery
In 1942, Coover was a research chemist at Eastman Kodak, tasked with developing optically clear plastics for military use. During one of his experiments, he stumbled upon a compound that was incredibly sticky but unsuitable for his intended purpose. This early version of cyanoacrylate was too adhesive to be practical for gun sights, and Coover initially set it aside, unaware of its future potential.
Rediscovery and Commercialization
It wasn’t until 1951, nearly a decade later, that Coover rediscovered the adhesive while working on heat-resistant polymers for jet canopies. This time, he recognized its unique properties and saw an opportunity to market it as a fast-acting adhesive. With the help of Fred Joyner, who tested the adhesive by bonding two refractor prisms together, Coover realized the commercial potential of his discovery.
In 1958, Super Glue was officially introduced to the market under the name “Eastman 910.” It quickly gained popularity for its ability to bond materials instantly without heat or pressure, requiring only a small amount of moisture to activate.
Impact and Applications
Super Glue’s impact extends far beyond household repairs. During the Vietnam War, medical personnel used cyanoacrylate to treat wounds on the battlefield, stopping bleeding and saving lives until proper medical care could be administered. Today, medical-grade versions of Super Glue are used in surgeries to close wounds and seal blood vessels, offering a faster alternative to traditional sutures.
Legacy of Dr. Harry Coover
Dr. Coover’s contribution to science went beyond Super Glue. He held over 460 patents and made significant advancements in fields such as graft polymerization and olefin polymerization. His work earned him numerous awards, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2009.
Fun Facts About Super Glue
- Accidental Discovery: Coover first created cyanoacrylate while trying to make clear plastic gun sights during WWII.
- Rediscovery: It took nine years for Coover to realize the adhesive’s potential.
- First Commercial Use: Super Glue was marketed in 1958 under the name “Eastman 910.”
- Medical Applications: Used in Vietnam to treat wounds and now in surgeries to replace sutures.
- Patents and Awards: Coover held over 460 patents and received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
Conclusion
The story of Super Glue is a testament to the power of accidental discoveries and the importance of recognizing potential in unexpected places. From its humble beginnings as a failed experiment to its widespread use today, Super Glue has become an indispensable tool in both everyday life and advanced medical procedures. Dr. Harry Coover’s legacy continues to inspire innovation, reminding us that even the most unexpected findings can lead to groundbreaking achievements.

Louis Le Prince Invented the motion picture camera, and then he mysteriously disappeared
Louis Le Prince, the inventor of motion pictures, vanished without a trace in 1890. Thomas Edison quickly claimed the title of "first and sole inventor of cinema," even taking Le Prince's son to court to dispute it. A few years later, the son also dies under mysterious circumstances.

Legend says the Chesterfield was designed to keep coats crisp and catch cigar ash in its folds.

The touching story of David Vetter (bubble boy), the 'boy who lived in a bubble
David Vetter lived his whole 12 years in sterile “bubble”. He was “outside” for 20 second after being removed from his mother’s womb. He never touched any human.

Woman's transplanted 'man hands' became lighter and more feminine over time
After losing both arms in an accident, an Indian girl received limbs from a male donor. The donor hands, which were formerly huge and hairy, changed skin tone and became thin and feminine over time to mix in with her body.

8 Interesting Facts About The Unsinkable Ship, TITANIC
If you ask your friends what's the most famous ship in history the answer in most cases will be the same, of course the legendary Titanic. Its history is full of mysteries, at first it was a source of hope and national pride as well as proof of the triumphs of mankind but it soon became a source of nostalgia and pain, the extent of which cannot be described in words.

Dr. Donald Hopkins: From Smallpox Eradication to Near-Ending Guinea Worm Disease
Dr. Donald Hopkins helped eradicate Smallpox, and is on the verge of killing another disease. He's taken Guinea Worm Disease down from 3.5 million cases a year to just 28 cases last year.

Man who robbed bank to get away from wife sentenced to home confinement
In 2017, a 70-year-old man robbed a Kansas City bank, then sat down in the lobby waiting for the Police to arrive stating he’d rather live in jail than with his wife. He was arrested but rather than thrown in a cell he was sentenced to 6 months of home confinement.

This soon-to-be-closed train station in Japan only serves one passenger
Japan keeps a defunc train station operational in 2015 for the sole purpose of allowing one girl to go to school every day. Only two stops are made by the train: once when an only one high school student departs for school and once when she returns.

Chilling Story Behind the Amber Hagerman’s Murder And The AMBER alert system
Amber Hagerman is the reason we have the Amber alert or a child abduction emergency alert system. As of April 2019, 957 children rescued specifically because of AMBER Alert. To this day, the Amber behind Amber alert is still waiting for justice.

How Sweden’s 300,000 Oak Trees Became an Unintended Legacy: The Naval Forest That Outlived Wooden Warships
In the 1830s, Sweden planted 300,000 oak trees for the purpose of building naval ships. However, by the time the trees matured, metal warships had replaced the need for wooden ones. The forest still stands to this day.

A Super Cat With Excessively Large Muscles Goes Viral Due To A Rare Condition
The cat suffers from Myostatin-related muscular hypertrophy, which leads it to grow muscle mass while not desiring to.

Food for brain power
Paying attention to your diet can truly pay off, whether you want to optimize your nutrition during exam season or stay bright in your next business meeting. Although there is no specific 'brain food' that will prevent you from age-related illnesses like Alzheimer's or dementia, thinking about what you eat can help you acquire the nutrients you need for cognitive health and mood.

Chen Ami, The Bravery pigeon that saved 194 Soldier
During World War 1, a carrier Pigeon name Cher Ami was shot, blinded and had her leg blown off. She is still able to deliver the message and saved lives 194 soldiers.

The mystery of India's 'lake of skeletons'
In 1942, a British forest guard in India made an alarming discovery. Some 16,000 feet above sea level, at the bottom of a small valley, was a frozen lake absolutely full of skeletons.

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
Located in Belize, there is a cave where the remnants of ancient Maya human sacrifices can be witnessed. However, reaching the back of the cave system requires swimming, wading through a cave river, and crawling through narrow, uneven rocky passages in darkness. Once there, visitors can walk among the numerous corpses of sacrifice victims, including The Crystal Maiden, an 18-year-old whose skeleton has become calcified to the point of sparkling.

The rescuing hug - the touching story of twins Brielle and Kyrie Jackson
Brielle and Kyrie Jackson’s lifesaving hug was captured when Brielle was struggling to breathe and going blue. As a final option, the nurse deviated from protocol and placed them in the same incubator. Kyrie wrapped her arm around her sister, who immediately began to stabilize

Inspirational Journey of Billy Owen From Cancer Patient to Zombie Actor
A man called Billy Owen lost an eye and half of his face to cancer and used it to start a career as a zombie actor.

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels
Forrest Fenn, an art dealer, hid a bronze chest full of gold and other jewels somewhere in the Rocky Mountains ten years ago. In a poem, he hinted at its location. Thousands of people tried and failed to find the treasure, which is said to be worth over a million dollars, and at least four people died in the process. In June 2020, the Fenn treasure was discovered.

People Who Got Their Sweet And Savage Revenge On Their Cheating Partners
Being a victim of cheating is incredibly painful, especially if you have devoted your entire life to them. Some will simply move on and accept reality, but others will seek revenge in a savage and humorous manner. I hope they have moved on with their lives, but here are some of the Best but savaged ways of revenge on their cheating partner.

What is secret behind the Australia’s mysterious pink lake?
Lake Hillier in Australia maintains a bright pink hue all year round. Although no one knows for sure what causes the unique coloring, experts speculate that it might be the result of high salinity, a pink bacteria called “halobacteria,” and a salt-loving algae species called Dunaliella salina.

Built in 312 BC, this Roman road has stood the test of time.

Grandson Invents Award-Winning Water Candy ‘Jelly Drops’ To Help Grandma With Dementia
A grandson invented an award winning Water Candy "Jelly Drops" to help Granda with Dementia. This Jelly Drop are 95% water, have extra electrolytes, sugar-free, and are popular among seniors, persons with Alzheimer's, and other people who have struggle staying hydrated.

Earthquakes: Can Animals Really Predict Them?
In 1975, when officials in the Chinese city of Haicheng were alarmed by odd and anxious behaviors of dogs and other animals. These observations led them to order 90,000 residents to evacuate the city. Only a few hours later a 7.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed nearly 90% of the city’s buildings.

10 Rarest and Albino animals you haven’t seen
For centuries, people have been fascinated and enchanted by the ghostly appearances of abnormally white animals. People have loved albinos and other unusually white animals so much that they may be helping to increase their numbers, despite the difficulties these animals face in the wild. While these unusual animals did not win the genetic lottery, they have persevered in the face of adversity.

Albert Spaggiari: The Man Who Stole 45m Francs And Was Never Caught
In 1976, French gangster Albert Spaggiari was arrested after his gang stole 100 million francs worth of valuables from a bank. At his trial, he distracted the judge then jumped out of a window and fled on a motorcycle set up for him. He was never caught and died a free man.