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It’s no secret that some of the biggest things in human history were discovered utterly by accident. Penicillin and X-rays, to name just a few, are among them.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that game-changing inventions happen that often. And if Fleming returned from his two-week vacation to realize his petri dish had bacterial colonies that wouldn’t grow near the mold, it doesn’t mean two weeks by the sea would give you similar results.

That doesn’t mean we’re not allowed to play with chance and see where quasi-scientific DIY experiments will take us. Below is a collection of some of the most mildly interesting cases, like leaving a summer roll on a desk for 4 days to find it sprouting or quickly switching temperatures on a marble. Don’t ask why or what for—some things are meant to be "just because."

#1

What Happens When You Grow A Pumkin Inside A Plastic Mold

What Happens When You Grow A Pumkin Inside A Plastic Mold

TheNameIsKevin Report

#2

This Is What Happens When A Cat Touches A Plasma Ball

This Is What Happens When A Cat Touches A Plasma Ball

OddJug Report

#3

What Happens When You Swing A String Of Glow Sticks With Burning Steel Wool At The End And Take A Long Exposure Photo

What Happens When You Swing A String Of Glow Sticks With Burning Steel Wool At The End And Take A Long Exposure Photo

Chris Matthew Brady Report

As the turn of the wheel goes, some of the discoveries and inventions without which we couldn’t imagine our lives today were made solely by accident.

For example, all-time fave breakfast staple Cornflakes were made by Will and John Kellogg back in 1894. Due to their Seventh-day Adventist practices, they were experimenting with vegetarian food. As the story goes, some of the wheat went stale and they tried rolling it flat and baking it. It got popular, so they tried a maize alternative which turned out to be even better.

#4

This Is What Happens When You Put Horizontal Mirrors On A Shack In The Desert

This Is What Happens When You Put Horizontal Mirrors On A Shack In The Desert

AdamE89 Report

#5

This Is What Happens When Frogs Eat Fireflies

This Is What Happens When Frogs Eat Fireflies

mtlgrems Report

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Just a Purpler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's absolutely adorable and also a little sad for the moment the light goes out!

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Iggy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Just a light snack for me, please. I have to hop it shortly!"

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Eva the Ravenclaw Bookworm📚💖
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's actually a proven fact. I've heard of this happening, but I've never actually SEEN it! This is so cool

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Chrissy Neibarger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, fireflies are poisonous to many amphibians and reptiles. Hopefully this froggie isn't one of them.

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Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve only ever seen fireflies once. This is pretty dang cool.

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Lelly Taffyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh good grief !!! and yes - as Purpler says - it is amazing but sad when the light goes out

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Darth Vader
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is what happens when to my brains when I seriously need to poop!

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Footrabula
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that that's a frog on a light-up doorbell. The light is too bright and yellow to be a firefly.

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glowworm2
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a video of this. It's legit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIjfdHwdF_s

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#6

This Is What Happens When You Heat An Ordinary Marble Over A Flame Then Immediately Drop It Into Cold Water

This Is What Happens When You Heat An Ordinary Marble Over A Flame Then Immediately Drop It Into Cold Water

unicornheabutt Report

Interestingly, the first popsicle is said to have been invented by an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson in 1905. The kid left a container of soda and water with its mixing stick inside on a porch overnight. In the morning, the original popsicle, marked as an Epsicle, was born thanks to a cold night and one child’s distraction.

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Meanwhile, the jacuzzi was invented by Candido Jacuzzi back in the 1960s when the man made a whirlpool bath for his 15-month-old son who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.

#7

What Happens When Water Gets Really, Really Cold

What Happens When Water Gets Really, Really Cold

angry_m0nkey Report

#8

This Is What Happens When You Polish A Coconut

This Is What Happens When You Polish A Coconut

Roctopus420 Report

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#9

This Is What Happens When A Lightning Hits Beach Sand

This Is What Happens When A Lightning Hits Beach Sand

Criptufu Report

Not many people know that safety glass, also known as laminated glass, was also discovered by complete chance. When French chemist Édouard Bénédictus knocked a glass beaker from the top shelf in his laboratory, he noticed that it shattered, but did not break completely.

It turns out, the beaker contained cellulose nitrate. It’s a type of plastic that left a film on the inside of the glass. The patent was filed in 1909 and is still in production today!

#10

What Happens When 50 Mph Winds, Freezing Temperatures And Lake Erie Hits Your House

What Happens When 50 Mph Winds, Freezing Temperatures And Lake Erie Hits Your House

viciann Report

#11

What Happens When The Mist Around A Waterfall Freezes

What Happens When The Mist Around A Waterfall Freezes

joshmea Report

#12

What Happens When Wood Is Burnt With High Voltage

What Happens When Wood Is Burnt With High Voltage

-N3ptun3- Report

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#13

Here's What Happens When You Leave Half A Cabbage In The Fridge Too Long

Here's What Happens When You Leave Half A Cabbage In The Fridge Too Long

H0B0Byter99 Report

#14

What Happens When You Put M&ms In A Dish Of Water. Diffusion Force Barriers

What Happens When You Put M&ms In A Dish Of Water. Diffusion Force Barriers

bananaboat95 Report

#15

This Is What Happens When You Drive Over Chalk Paint On A Hot Day

This Is What Happens When You Drive Over Chalk Paint On A Hot Day

Krallorddark Report

#16

This Is What Happens When Lightning Strikes A Flag On A Golf Course

This Is What Happens When Lightning Strikes A Flag On A Golf Course

mtlgrems Report

#17

What Happens To Windmills When There's Fog

What Happens To Windmills When There's Fog

Vmoney1337 Report

#18

What Happens When Nature Takes Over- This Boat On A River In Frankfurt, Germany

What Happens When Nature Takes Over- This Boat On A River In Frankfurt, Germany

BanAllPineapples Report

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Radek Suski and Foxxy (The Original): It is a science project and has been covered with plants on purpose. You can search for "Natur Ship MS Heimliche Liebe". Heimliche-...3f-png.jpg Heimliche-Liebe-5f1abb30d8b3f-png.jpg

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#19

This Is What Happens When You Fail To Thin Out Your Carrots

This Is What Happens When You Fail To Thin Out Your Carrots

weissbierdood Report

#20

This Is What Happens When The Triple Foam Breaks At The Car Wash

This Is What Happens When The Triple Foam Breaks At The Car Wash

GallowBoob Report

#21

This Is What Happens To A Basketball Court When The Pipes Burst

This Is What Happens To A Basketball Court When The Pipes Burst

longjohnsilvaa Report

#22

This Is What Happens To Mesh Patio Furniture In An Ice Storm

This Is What Happens To Mesh Patio Furniture In An Ice Storm

GnomishProtozoa Report

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#23

What Happened To My Coffee Cup After I Left It Sideways For A While

What Happened To My Coffee Cup After I Left It Sideways For A While

madmadders Report

#24

What Happens When An 8-Year-Old Puts His Hand In A Petri Dish Of Agar

What Happens When An 8-Year-Old Puts His Hand In A Petri Dish Of Agar

anonymous_hans Report

#25

This Is What Happens To Food In Antartica At -94°f/-70°c

This Is What Happens To Food In Antartica At -94°f/-70°c

Cyprien Verseux Report

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Tracey Hirt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is actually a series of photos of frozen food in Antarctica. https://www.rt.com/news/440990-frozen-food-art-antarctica/

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#26

I Accidentally Left A Bowl Of Beet Juice On The Counter And The Top Layer Rippled

I Accidentally Left A Bowl Of Beet Juice On The Counter And The Top Layer Rippled

ThePhantomDullbooth Report

#27

This Is What Happens When You Leave A Bike Outside Too Long

This Is What Happens When You Leave A Bike Outside Too Long

teton_blamer Report

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bryguy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one of those cake photos isn't it? The whole bike is cake I bet

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#28

This Is What Happens When Lightning Strikes Asphalt

This Is What Happens When Lightning Strikes Asphalt

1Voice1Life Report

#29

This Is What Happens When You Try To Display Candles On A Hot Patio

This Is What Happens When You Try To Display Candles On A Hot Patio

2nie Report

#30

This Is What Happens When You Put A Highlighter In The Microwave In Case You Were Wondering

This Is What Happens When You Put A Highlighter In The Microwave In Case You Were Wondering

Dylan7225 Report

#31

Apparently This Is What Happens When Light Passes Through The Blinds And Hits My Trash Can

Apparently This Is What Happens When Light Passes Through The Blinds And Hits My Trash Can

beernerd Report

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Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is really cool! Sharing the light with the rest of the room.

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#32

What Happens When Water Freezes On A Spinning Wheel

What Happens When Water Freezes On A Spinning Wheel

NeoVeci Report

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#33

This Is What Happens When You Take The Ice Tray Out Of A Freezer With An Automatic Ice Maker

This Is What Happens When You Take The Ice Tray Out Of A Freezer With An Automatic Ice Maker

DabneyEatsIt Report

#34

This Is What Happens When You Fall Asleep In A Bath

This Is What Happens When You Fall Asleep In A Bath

Report

#35

What Happened When I Tried To Take A Picture Of An Airplane Propeller

What Happened When I Tried To Take A Picture Of An Airplane Propeller

Domestic_Vibrator Report

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Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clearly with a digital camera! With scan rows being ... horizontal. Or is that vertical.

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#36

I Left A Summer Roll On My Desk For 4 Days. The Bean Sprouts Are Sprouting

I Left A Summer Roll On My Desk For 4 Days. The Bean Sprouts Are Sprouting

indorock Report

#37

This Is What Happens When You Don't Pick A Head Of Lettuce

This Is What Happens When You Don't Pick A Head Of Lettuce

TresidentPrump Report

#38

What Happens When You Open A Dollar Bill In Photoshop

What Happens When You Open A Dollar Bill In Photoshop

herbiclorine Report

#40

This Is What Happens When You Take A Picture On An iPhone At The Same Time A Flash Goes Off On Another Camera

This Is What Happens When You Take A Picture On An iPhone At The Same Time A Flash Goes Off On Another Camera

connorobrien46 Report

#41

This Is What Happened To A Sign Left Out In The Sun Too Long

This Is What Happened To A Sign Left Out In The Sun Too Long

TidalPod Report

#42

I Am Shortsighted On The Left And Farsighted On The Right Eye. This Is What Happens When The Sun Shines Through My Glasses

I Am Shortsighted On The Left And Farsighted On The Right Eye. This Is What Happens When The Sun Shines Through My Glasses

Mot101Mot Report

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#43

What Happens When You Take A Vertically Panoramic Photo Of Something Moving Towards You

What Happens When You Take A Vertically Panoramic Photo Of Something Moving Towards You

conormizen_98 Report

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bryguy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take a pano of a car going by and it'll look like the worlds longest limo

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#44

This Is What Happens If You Take A Negative Picture Of A Negative Screen

This Is What Happens If You Take A Negative Picture Of A Negative Screen

jman678 Report

#46

Here’s What Happens To A Wooden Guitar Pick After A Year Of Use

Here’s What Happens To A Wooden Guitar Pick After A Year Of Use

Downpouring7 Report

#47

This Is What Happens If You Throw Hot Tea Into The Air In Arctic

This Is What Happens If You Throw Hot Tea Into The Air In Arctic

ivonapkin Report

#48

What Happens When A Leaf Gets Powersprayed

What Happens When A Leaf Gets Powersprayed

KarsOwO Report

#49

This Is What Happens When You Leave A Pack Of Gummy Bears In An 105 Degree Car

This Is What Happens When You Leave A Pack Of Gummy Bears In An 105 Degree Car

yellowcyclone Report

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Iapetos
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fahrenheit. They're talking about the silly type of temperature measurement.

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#50

What Happens When An Oil Drip Pan Gets Rained On Overnight

What Happens When An Oil Drip Pan Gets Rained On Overnight

PinkCrimsonBeatles Report

#51

I Harvested The Cookie Dough From My Ice Cream And Baked It. This Is The Result

I Harvested The Cookie Dough From My Ice Cream And Baked It. This Is The Result

DoodleTM Report

#52

What Happens When A Tree Grows Into A Power Line

What Happens When A Tree Grows Into A Power Line

pancakebatterboy Report

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Tai Dallen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder where this was taken. Where I live trees are trimmed so they can't interfere with power lines. Also wonder what it would look like with foliage.

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#53

What Happens When A Train Gets Wheelspin

What Happens When A Train Gets Wheelspin

mattythedog Report

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bryguy369 avatar
bryguy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually what happens when the head end looses communication with the rear and rear motors are still trying to push the train but all other brakes are on.

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#54

What Happens When You Leave Potatoes In The Cellar For 6 Months

What Happens When You Leave Potatoes In The Cellar For 6 Months

SpreadyGull Report

#55

This Is What Happens To Tennis Ball After Staying In Roof For Years

This Is What Happens To Tennis Ball After Staying In Roof For Years

bikrame Report

#56

This Is What Happens To An Uncooked Egg When You Soak It In Vinegar For 24 Hours, Corn Syrup For 24 Hours, And Then Distilled Water For 24 Hours. It Was My Sister's Science Experiment To Show Selective Permeability

This Is What Happens To An Uncooked Egg When You Soak It In Vinegar For 24 Hours, Corn Syrup For 24 Hours, And Then Distilled Water For 24 Hours. It Was My Sister's Science Experiment To Show Selective Permeability

Brexa101 Report

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Linda Nahay
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We used to do this all the time when we were children, 1959. We just soaked it in vinegar and after a few days you can bounce it on the table.

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#57

This Is What Happens When You Vacuum Seal Garlic

This Is What Happens When You Vacuum Seal Garlic

crimsoncold Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fresh garlic and onions should not be vacuum sealed as it can lead to a growth of bacteria that causes botulism. Very bad idea.

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#58

This Is What Happens When A Padded Envelope Is Soaked And Frozen Overnight

This Is What Happens When A Padded Envelope Is Soaked And Frozen Overnight

MadLintElf Report

#59

What Happens When The Ophthalmologist Only Puts Dilating Drops In One Eye

What Happens When The Ophthalmologist Only Puts Dilating Drops In One Eye

holirwin Report

#61

What Happens When A Biodegradable Shopping Bag Degrades. It Gets Everywhere

What Happens When A Biodegradable Shopping Bag Degrades. It Gets Everywhere

heritageNerd Report

#62

Found Out What Happens When You Point A Violet Laser At Transition Lenses

Found Out What Happens When You Point A Violet Laser At Transition Lenses

GeetarDood Report

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174agma avatar
Be Potato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, this is a method you can use to check whether a glasses has anti blue-light coating or not.

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#63

My Dad Keeps Bees. This Is What Happens When You Accidentally Leave The Lid Off Of A Jar Of Honey

My Dad Keeps Bees. This Is What Happens When You Accidentally Leave The Lid Off Of A Jar Of Honey

MannuhT Report

#64

Let An Onion Go Bad In The Fridge. This Is What Happens Apparently

Let An Onion Go Bad In The Fridge. This Is What Happens Apparently

SaltyMargarita Report

#65

Look What Happened When I Cut A Stack Of The Same Picture

Look What Happened When I Cut A Stack Of The Same Picture

NotoriousRay Report

#66

What Happens To A Long Sleeve Shirt In 180mph Winds

What Happens To A Long Sleeve Shirt In 180mph Winds

Dsams Report

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purpler7355 avatar
Just a Purpler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah that can't be right 'cause I went skydiving with a long sleeve shirt, which would have been about 200kph, and my clothes were just fine

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