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Title: These things actually happen! Post by: AlexB on July 14, 2004, 03:03:13 AM When researching about polymers in general (I'm a technical journalist), I came across the discovery of polyethylene. It appears that in the thirties, a lab at ICI was running some tests about the effects of high pressure on various substances. One of the reactors blew up, and when they cleared the mess, they found a strange white powder. On inspection this turned out to be a previously unknown polymer, with very interesting properties.
A substance with immense technical and economical implications created as a result of a lab explosion??? Talk about life imitating B-movies. Title: Re: These things actually happen! Post by: Neville on July 14, 2004, 03:26:17 AM I've heard one of Rudolph Diesel first Diesel engines' prototypes also blew up. This convinced him that he was on the right track, because it proved the engine was producing more energy than he expected. He had to design new prototypes with a more resistant structure, though.
Title: Re: These things actually happen! Post by: AlexB on July 14, 2004, 05:50:27 AM Yes, and it also convinced Diesel to switch to lower grade fuel, which still bears his name in many countries.
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