discoveries that are achieved through Serendipity, Error, & Exaptation

 

Serendipity is a fortunate discovery of something that was no planned for. An example of a serendipitous innovation is the x-ray by Wilhelm Roentgen, a German physicist. In 1985 he was executing a usual experiment that entailed cathode rays, Wilhelm surprisingly got wind of a lighting up on the other side of the room – it was a patch of fluorescent cardboard. Between the radiated cardboard and Wilhelm’s cathode emitter, a thick screen was placed – this proved that atoms of light could pass through objects that are solid (Biddle, 2010). Six weeks later, Wilhelm’s wife – Anna Bertha’s hand was the first picture (a radiograph) taken; when Anna saw her skeleton she uttered, “I have seen my death” (Landwehr, 1997).

 

 

In the context of innovation, error means working towards a particular goal but by mistake, a different beneficial goal is attained. An innovation that was achieved via error is the Pacemaker. Prior to 1956, pacemakers were the size of televisions that were briefly attached to patients from outside (Donnelly, 2012). However, Wilson Greatbatch, the University of Buffalo assistant professor was working on a project (developing a recording device for heart rhythm) when he realized that he had made an error. Wilson picked a 1-megaohm resistor instead of a 10,000-ohm resistor, this resulted in the circuit producing a signal that sounded like the human heart (Biddle, 2010). Having crossed his mind that he had past dialogues with fellow scientist about the possibility of an electric stimulation aiding the natural beat of the heart (Feder, 2011), Wilson, via error created a small implantable device that has positively transformed the lives of millions.

 

 

Exaptation can be referred to as the conversion of an innovation to another innovation. An example of an innovative discovery attained via exaptation is Groundprobe’s radar technology. The technology was originally developed to aid in locating underground power cables and pipes; however, the sales were astronomically low when it was introduced to the market. This prompted further experimentation which led to it being utilized for several other things – one of the pronounced ones is the radar being used to observe the stability of walls in mines, this technology has not only saved numerous lives, but it has also saved costs (Kastelle, 2015).

 

 

 

 

 

References

Biddle, S. (2010, August 26). The 10 greatest (accidental) inventions of all time. Retrieved September 6, 2020, from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38870091/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/t/greatest-accidental-inventions-all-time/

Donnelly, T. (2012, August 15). 9 Brilliant Inventions Made by Mistake. Retrieved September 6, 2020, from https://www.inc.com/tim-donnelly/brilliant-failures/9-inventions-made-by-mistake.html

Feder, B. (2011, September 28). Wilson Greatbatch, Inventor of Implantable Pacemaker, Dies at 92. Retrieved September 6, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/business/wilson-greatbatch-pacemaker-inventor-dies-at-92.html

Kastelle, T. (2015, January 23). Innovation through Exaptation. Retrieved September 6, 2020, from https://timkastelle.org/blog/2010/05/innovation-through-exaptation/

Landwehr, G. (1997). Rontgen Centennial-X-rays Today in Natural and Life Sciences.