Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post Search
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

We Illustrated 6 People Who Dreamed Their Breakthrough Ideas
User submission
138
20.1K

We Illustrated 6 People Who Dreamed Their Breakthrough Ideas

ADVERTISEMENT

A comfy bed and a good night’s sleep are essential when it comes to brain function. Slipping into a freshly made bed with lush, fresh bedding can set the tone for how easily you’ll settle into a peaceful slumber.

Once you drift off to sleep, there really is no limit to where your dreams may take you. Sometimes unbelievable and seemingly impossible, your dreams really can have a huge impact. Changing your mind on something you were sure you were certain of, making you question what you once knew – the power of dreams can be hugely underestimated.

The Mill Shop wanted to explore what impact dreams of famous people and historical figures have had on the world over the years. We’re not talking daydreams either, but full-blown, from the depths of the subconscious kind of dreams… and we were not disappointed!

More info: themillshop.co.uk

James Watson – DNA Double Helix

Image credits: www.themillshop.co.uk

The discovery and theory of DNA had already been devised, but the shape and structure had eluded scientists. That was until 1953 when James Watson dreamed of two snakes intertwined, paving the way for the familiar double helix structure we see today. However, it was noted by Watson that his scientific breakthrough was almost suppressed. The theory of the double helix seemed so ludicrous at the time, that it was met with hostility and outrage when he first showcased the idea.

Mary Shelley – Frankenstein

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: www.themillshop.co.uk

One of the most iconic pieces of horror fiction ever written, it’s said that the story of Frankenstein came to Mary Shelley when she experienced a vivid nightmare. At the time, Shelley was just 18 years old and was visiting Lord Byron by Lake Geneva in Switzerland. While there, it was suggested they write ghost stories to while away the hours of the cold, winter days. Unfortunately, Shelley was unable to come up with any bright ideas. That was, until one night when she took herself off to bed and dreamt of the monster that defined a genre.

Paul McCartney – Yesterday

Image credits: www.themillshop.co.uk

Probably one of the most recognized and well-loved Beatles songs, it’s claimed by Paul McCartney that Yesterday came to him in a dream. He awoke to find he couldn’t get a melody out of his head, so he began to play it on the piano. Convinced he’d stolen the melody from somewhere, McCartney began to question those around him within the music industry. But after a few weeks, no one had claimed the tune, so he developed the chords and accompanying lyrics and the rest, as they say, is history.

Larry Page – Google

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: www.themillshop.co.uk

You’d be hard pushed to find anyone these days that hasn’t used Google at some point. The biggest search engine on the planet was said to have come to its creator during the early ’90s, in a dream where Page somehow managed to download the entire web and just keep the links. Once awake, Page immediately set about devising the algorithm that would pave the way for the Google we know and love today.

Albert Einstein – Theory of Relativity

Image credits: www.themillshop.co.uk

Sticking with defining scientific developments, we’d be foolish not to include probably one of the biggest “accidents” there ever was. Known for his vivid imagination, it’s no surprise that Einstein’s dreams were also pretty intense. So much so, it’s said that his well-known genius ideas came to him in a dream. Once he awoke, he meditated on the idea and soon formulated one of the most famous scientific theories in human history based on his dream meanings.

Niels Bohr – Structure of the Atom

Image credits: www.themillshop.co.uk

Probably one of the most significant scientific developments of all time, the discovery of the atom structure redefined physics and what we know about the world around us. At the turn of the 20th century, Neils Bohr had set about understanding the structure of the atom but no configurations seemed to fit. After many attempts to make it work, the worry he was fighting a losing battle started to set in, that was until he went to sleep one night and everything just seemed to fall into place. The idea of atoms fitting a similar structure to how the planets revolve around the sun just seemed to make total sense.

ADVERTISEMENT

20Kviews

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Start the discussion
Add photo comments
POST
lauragillette avatar
Laura Gillette
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rosalind Franklin discovered the double helix structure of DNA. Watson and Crick stole her research and published it as their own.

monika-georgieva-378 avatar
Monika Georgieva
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not exactly. They had come up with the structure theoretically, but didn't have empirical proof a.k.a through experiments, and she did experiments and came up to the conclusion. And actually she was a partner of Maurice Wilkins, who was also working on the project. 4 of them posted independent articles of the discovery. She decided to leave the fame to the guys and continue her work with isotopes, which caused her death before 40. Later they gave Nobel prizes to the three guys, but the rule is that a Nobel prize can't be given post death, otherwise they would have given one to her also. Watson, Crick and Wilkins did say that she deserves it as much as them though. It's a very interesting story and I suggest you read more about it if you're interested. Rosalind is truly an amazing lady and person and should be shown as a role model for a lot of girls due to how stubborn she was getting an education at time in which women were denied it and proving herself to be worthy of a scientist

Load More Replies...
aprilsimnel avatar
April Simnel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww. The kitten sleeping in Niels Bohr's bed is cute! And that's not Jane Asher's arm on Paul, is it? Had she broken up with him by then?

Load More Comments
lauragillette avatar
Laura Gillette
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rosalind Franklin discovered the double helix structure of DNA. Watson and Crick stole her research and published it as their own.

monika-georgieva-378 avatar
Monika Georgieva
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not exactly. They had come up with the structure theoretically, but didn't have empirical proof a.k.a through experiments, and she did experiments and came up to the conclusion. And actually she was a partner of Maurice Wilkins, who was also working on the project. 4 of them posted independent articles of the discovery. She decided to leave the fame to the guys and continue her work with isotopes, which caused her death before 40. Later they gave Nobel prizes to the three guys, but the rule is that a Nobel prize can't be given post death, otherwise they would have given one to her also. Watson, Crick and Wilkins did say that she deserves it as much as them though. It's a very interesting story and I suggest you read more about it if you're interested. Rosalind is truly an amazing lady and person and should be shown as a role model for a lot of girls due to how stubborn she was getting an education at time in which women were denied it and proving herself to be worthy of a scientist

Load More Replies...
aprilsimnel avatar
April Simnel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww. The kitten sleeping in Niels Bohr's bed is cute! And that's not Jane Asher's arm on Paul, is it? Had she broken up with him by then?

Load More Comments
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda