Argand, the inventor of the famous lamp which bears his name,
had been experimenting for some time in trying to increase the
light given out by his lamp, but all to no purpose. On a table
before him one night lay an oil-flask which had accidentally
got the bottom broken off, leaving a long-necked, funnel-shaped
tube. This Argand took up carelessly from the table and
placed--almost without thought, as he afterward related--over
the flame. A brilliant white light was the magical result.
It is needless to add that the hint was not lost by the
experimenter, who proceeded to put his discovery into practical
use by “inventing” the common glass lamp-chimney. Hundreds of
discoveries which have been heralded to the world as the acme of
human genius have been the result of merest accident--the auger,
calico printing and vulcanization of rubber being among the
number.--St. Louis _Republic_.
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See DISCOVERY, ACCIDENTAL; INSULATION.