Bubble wrap was originally invented as wallpaper — it failed and found success as packaging

Champagne was accidentally invented — monks originally considered the bubbles a flaw

Monks deemed Champagne's bubbles a flaw, but it led to the accidental invention of the sparkling wine

The printing press was invented by Gutenberg around 1440 — but China had movable type 400 years earlier

Gutenberg's press, circa 1440, followed China's 1000-year-old movable type innovation

Velcro was inspired by burrs sticking to a dog's fur — invented by George de Mestral in 1941

George de Mestral's 1941 invention: Velcro, inspired by burrs and dog fur

The first computer bug was an actual bug — a moth found in a Harvard Mark II relay in 1947

A moth caused a malfunction in the Harvard Mark II computer in 1947

The first antibiotic penicillin was discovered by accident in 1928 — Alexander Fleming left a petri dish uncovered

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 by accident

The word 'quarantine' comes from 'quaranta giorni' — 40 days ships waited in Venice during plague

'Quarantine' originates from 'quaranta giorni' of Venice's plague-era ship isolation