Accidental Inventions
1 / 15Great inventions discovered by accident
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
Penicillin was accidentally discovered in 1928 by which scientist?
About Accidental Inventions
Great inventions discovered by accident Accidental Inventions packs 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty into a relaxed session of roughly 7 minutes — no sign-up, no timer pressure. An explanation appears after every answer, and finishing once a day keeps your streak alive.
A few sample questions
1. Penicillin was accidentally discovered in 1928 by which scientist?
Answer: Alexander Fleming
2. The microwave oven was accidentally invented when a chocolate bar melted in the pocket of an engineer working with what technology?
Answer: Radar equipment
3. Post-it Notes were invented after Spencer Silver at 3M accidentally created what?
Answer: A weak adhesive
4. Velcro was inspired when Swiss engineer George de Mestral noticed what sticking to his dog's fur?
Answer: Burrs
5. X-rays were accidentally discovered in 1895 by which German physicist?
Answer: Wilhelm Röntgen
Frequently asked questions
Can I print Accidental Inventions?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Accidental Inventions fits comfortably in one sitting.
How many questions are in Accidental Inventions?
Accidental Inventions has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Accidental Inventions free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Accidental Inventions — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
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