In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen was experimenting with cathode rays, unaware that he was on the brink of discovering something that would revolutionize medi

The One Percent Rule

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2024-11-21 16:30:02

In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen was experimenting with cathode rays, unaware that he was on the brink of discovering something that would revolutionize medicine. While conducting his experiments, Röntgen noticed that a nearby screen coated with barium platinocyanide began to glow, despite being shielded from direct exposure to the cathode rays. It seemed as though an unseen force had penetrated the shielding, revealing itself in the glow. Fascinated, Röntgen pursued this strange effect, meticulously exploring its behavior until he revealed the existence of X-rays, an entirely new form of radiation that allowed doctors to see inside the human body for the first time. This serendipitous discovery opened a window into the human body, allowing for non-invasive imaging of bones and internal structures, forever transforming diagnostic medicine.

Percy Spencer, grew up extremely poor and had minimal formal education, yet he had a hunger to learn. After becoming a radio engineer in the US Navy, he became an engineer tinkering at Raytheon in the early to mid-20th century, he never imagined he was about to stumble upon a kitchen revolution. Spencer was initially looking for ways to improve radar systems when, unexpectedly, he noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted. This was a perfect instance of a 'wrong turn' leading to an entirely new discovery. Instead of dismissing the incident, Spencer was intrigued. He wondered if this effect could be harnessed purposefully. He experimented with popcorn, which popped almost instantly, and even tried cooking an egg, which exploded in his colleague's face. This playful curiosity led to the invention of the microwave oven, reshaping how millions of households around the world prepare food and demonstrating how years of expertise combined with curiosity can yield transformative results. What began as an engineering task related to radar evolved into a culinary innovation simply because Spencer recognized the potential of an unanticipated outcome.

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