Inventions Facts for Kids

The Slinky was invented by accident when an engineer knocked a spring off a shelf and watched it walk down.

Post-it Notes were invented by accident when a scientist at 3M created a glue that wasn't sticky enough.

The first cellphone, made in 1973, weighed about 2.4 pounds and was the size of a brick.

The Wright Brothers' first powered flight in 1903 lasted only 12 seconds and covered just 120 feet.

Chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident in 1938 when Ruth Wakefield expected chocolate chunks to melt into the dough, but they didn't.

One of the first video games ever made, Tennis for Two, was created in 1958 on a laboratory oscilloscope.

Super Glue was discovered by accident twice — first in 1942 and again in 1951 by the same company.

The Eiffel Tower was only meant to stand for 20 years, but it was saved because it was useful as a radio antenna.

Potato chips were reportedly invented in 1853 by a chef who was annoyed that a customer kept sending back thick fries.

The first photograph ever taken required an exposure time of about 8 hours.