Necessity is often called the mother of invention. However, true innovation frequently stems from sheer desperation. Humans become incredibly creative when backed into a corner. Crisis forces us to think differently. Many everyday tools actually emerged from dark times. Wars and famines sparked these brilliant ideas. Inventors needed immediate solutions for survival. Their quick thinking changed the world forever. Here are ten incredible inventions born from hardship.
Super Glue: A Failed Gun Sight
During World War II, scientists needed clear plastic for gun sights. Harry Coover accidentally created a substance that stuck to everything. It was annoying and he abandoned it. Years later, he rediscovered it while making jet canopies. He realized its potential as a bonding agent. It was even used to close wounds in Vietnam. A sticky mistake became a household staple.
Canned Food: Feeding an Army
Napoleon Bonaparte had a major problem. His soldiers were dying of hunger, not battle. He offered a prize for a way to preserve food. Nicolas Appert spent 15 years experimenting. He discovered that heating food in sealed glass jars stopped spoilage. This invention revolutionized military logistics. It eventually changed how the entire world eats.
Braille: A Teenager’s Wish to Read
Louis Braille went blind at age three. The existing reading system for the blind was bulky and slow. He was desperate for books. At 15, he adapted a military code called “night writing.” He simplified it into a six-dot cell system. It allowed for rapid reading and writing. His desire for knowledge opened the world for millions.
M&Ms: Chocolate That Won’t Melt
Soldiers in the Spanish Civil War wanted chocolate. However, it melted constantly in the heat. Forrest Mars Sr. saw them eating chocolate pellets in a sugar shell. He brought the idea to the U.S. Army. The hard shell protected the chocolate inside. M&Ms became a standard ration in World War II. They melt in your mouth, not your pack.
The EpiPen: Immediate Survival
Severe allergies can kill in minutes. Sheldon Kaplan invented the auto-injector for the military. It was originally for nerve gas antidotes. Later, he realized it could deliver epinephrine quickly. It allowed regular people to save lives instantly. Desperation during a reaction requires speed. This device provided exactly that.
Duct Tape: Keeping Ammo Dry
During WWII, soldiers struggled to keep ammunition cases waterproof. The tape they used was weak. Vesta Stoudt, a factory worker, noticed the problem. She suggested a waterproof, cloth-backed tape. The military loved it. Soldiers began using it to fix jeeps and guns. It became the ultimate “fix-everything” tool.
Instant Coffee: A Surplus Solution
Brazil had a massive surplus of coffee beans in the 1930s. They were desperate to preserve the crop. They asked Nestle for help. Nestle developed a way to dry the coffee extract. It dissolved easily in hot water. This saved the Brazilian economy. It also gave us our quick morning caffeine fix.
Kotex: Bandages Repurposed
Nurses in World War I used Cellucotton bandages for wounded soldiers. They were five times more absorbent than cotton. The nurses soon found a personal use for them. They used the material for menstrual pads. After the war, Kimberly-Clark marketed the product to women. It modernized feminine hygiene. It started from the desperation of field hospitals.
Spam: Utilizing Shoulder Meat
Hormel had a surplus of pork shoulder. It was a cut no one wanted to buy. They ground it up and spiced it to avoid waste. It became a cheap source of protein during the Great Depression. It fed soldiers worldwide during WWII. It turned a waste product into a global icon. Necessity made it a pantry staple.
WD-40: Preventing Rust on Missiles
The creator was trying to prevent rust on nuclear missiles. He failed 39 times. The 40th formula finally worked to displace water. Employees started sneaking it home. They used it to stop squeaky doors and loosen bolts. It was never meant for household use. Now, every garage has a can.
Crisis Breeds Creativity
Pressure creates diamonds. It apparently creates world-changing inventions too. These stories prove that limits often spark genius. We innovate best when we have no other choice. Problems are simply opportunities in disguise. History shows that even the darkest times bring light.
Did you know the dark history behind these common items? Share your thoughts in the comments!
What to Read Next…
- 9 Work History Errors That Void Pension Claims
- 10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day If You’re Long-Distance
- 20 Creative Date Night Ideas That Won’t Cost You a Fortune
- Signs You’re Only Staying Because of History, Not Happiness
- 8 Cults That Changed the Course of History
The post 10 Brilliant Inventions Created Out of Pure Desperation appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
