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The invention conundrum

A lesson in the origins of common items that

We couldn’t live without!

This lesson will give students information about the origins of several common inventions from the American culture. These items have become so very common in our everyday lives that it is easy to take them all for granted. However, each one of them have been discovered quite by accident and then found to be an elemental and necessary item for people in every walk of life!

You will need:You will need:You will need:You will need:

• Lunch size brown paper bags ( depending on the size of your group, usually one bag and its contents are given to 4 to 5 students to explore for this lesson)

• Bottle of WhiteOut for each bag

• Strip of Velcro for each bag

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The invention conundrum

• Bag of Nestles Toll House Morsels for each bag

• One band aid per bag

• One tea bag per bag

• One Silly Putty egg per bag

• Per group, pencils and writing pad

• (Optional) A camera for taking photos of each group as they brainstorm and/or present their story

Procedure:Procedure:Procedure:Procedure:

Organize each brown bag (Also one of the inventions “by accident”) by placing one each of the above items in every bag. Fold down the tops. Distribute one bag per group of students. Suggested distribution is one bag per 4 or 5 students in a group.

Students will be told to refrain from looking in the bag until the instructor has finished the introduction to the lesson. Remember that at no time should the instructor refer to the items as being invented by accident until the end of the lesson and student presentations are completed.

Each student group should organize in such a way that there will be one writer, one presenter, one student who will reorganize the bags at the end of the lesson and the remainder of the students will be in charge of helping to generate the ideas for the story.

Students work collaboratively to create a group story about why the items have been placed in the bag and what they have as a commonality.

Encourage the students to write a very creative story about the connections involved with the items. One student writes the collaborative story, one student will then, when the time is appropriate, share the story with the rest of the class.

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The invention conundrum

Suggestions for the instructor:Suggestions for the instructor:Suggestions for the instructor:Suggestions for the instructor:

After dividing the clAfter dividing the clAfter dividing the clAfter dividing the class into small groups of 4 or 5 students each, tell the students that each bag has ass into small groups of 4 or 5 students each, tell the students that each bag has ass into small groups of 4 or 5 students each, tell the students that each bag has ass into small groups of 4 or 5 students each, tell the students that each bag has identical contents. Explain the roles of each student in the group and allow time for the groups to organize identical contents. Explain the roles of each student in the group and allow time for the groups to organize identical contents. Explain the roles of each student in the group and allow time for the groups to organize identical contents. Explain the roles of each student in the group and allow time for the groups to organize themselves into their roles of: 1.) Writer, 2.) Reader or prthemselves into their roles of: 1.) Writer, 2.) Reader or prthemselves into their roles of: 1.) Writer, 2.) Reader or prthemselves into their roles of: 1.) Writer, 2.) Reader or presenter, 3.) Organizer, returns the items to the esenter, 3.) Organizer, returns the items to the esenter, 3.) Organizer, returns the items to the esenter, 3.) Organizer, returns the items to the bag at the end of the lesson. The remaining students in the group are involved in the group brainstorming bag at the end of the lesson. The remaining students in the group are involved in the group brainstorming bag at the end of the lesson. The remaining students in the group are involved in the group brainstorming bag at the end of the lesson. The remaining students in the group are involved in the group brainstorming to come up with a story about why the items are in the bag and what their commonality must be.to come up with a story about why the items are in the bag and what their commonality must be.to come up with a story about why the items are in the bag and what their commonality must be.to come up with a story about why the items are in the bag and what their commonality must be.

Be sBe sBe sBe sure to keep the mystery of the items alive. Never allude to the fact that these items have to do with ure to keep the mystery of the items alive. Never allude to the fact that these items have to do with ure to keep the mystery of the items alive. Never allude to the fact that these items have to do with ure to keep the mystery of the items alive. Never allude to the fact that these items have to do with “Inventions by Accident”. Explain that there is a conundrum, or a riddle, that each group will be solving in “Inventions by Accident”. Explain that there is a conundrum, or a riddle, that each group will be solving in “Inventions by Accident”. Explain that there is a conundrum, or a riddle, that each group will be solving in “Inventions by Accident”. Explain that there is a conundrum, or a riddle, that each group will be solving in a story form. The idea is to create a humoa story form. The idea is to create a humoa story form. The idea is to create a humoa story form. The idea is to create a humorous story that led to the collection of the items that are in the rous story that led to the collection of the items that are in the rous story that led to the collection of the items that are in the rous story that led to the collection of the items that are in the bag.bag.bag.bag.

Below is an example from one group of 5Below is an example from one group of 5Below is an example from one group of 5Below is an example from one group of 5thththth graders from Libby Center in Spokane, Washington: graders from Libby Center in Spokane, Washington: graders from Libby Center in Spokane, Washington: graders from Libby Center in Spokane, Washington:

“Brunhilde was a very neat and tidy house cleaner. She always used Ivory Soap to keep her h“Brunhilde was a very neat and tidy house cleaner. She always used Ivory Soap to keep her h“Brunhilde was a very neat and tidy house cleaner. She always used Ivory Soap to keep her h“Brunhilde was a very neat and tidy house cleaner. She always used Ivory Soap to keep her home fresh as a ome fresh as a ome fresh as a ome fresh as a daisy. One day she was getting ready to clean her house. She was going to have the Mayor’s wife over for daisy. One day she was getting ready to clean her house. She was going to have the Mayor’s wife over for daisy. One day she was getting ready to clean her house. She was going to have the Mayor’s wife over for daisy. One day she was getting ready to clean her house. She was going to have the Mayor’s wife over for chocolate chip cookies that afternoon, so everything had to be perfect. After she cleaned everything just chocolate chip cookies that afternoon, so everything had to be perfect. After she cleaned everything just chocolate chip cookies that afternoon, so everything had to be perfect. After she cleaned everything just chocolate chip cookies that afternoon, so everything had to be perfect. After she cleaned everything just so, she noticed she had runso, she noticed she had runso, she noticed she had runso, she noticed she had run out of Ivory Soap. She thought she had better buy some more, but decided to out of Ivory Soap. She thought she had better buy some more, but decided to out of Ivory Soap. She thought she had better buy some more, but decided to out of Ivory Soap. She thought she had better buy some more, but decided to have a cup of tea first. She brewed her tea and sat down, but she sat on a tack and it made her spill the tea have a cup of tea first. She brewed her tea and sat down, but she sat on a tack and it made her spill the tea have a cup of tea first. She brewed her tea and sat down, but she sat on a tack and it made her spill the tea have a cup of tea first. She brewed her tea and sat down, but she sat on a tack and it made her spill the tea all over her clean white blouse. She had to find a band aide to stall over her clean white blouse. She had to find a band aide to stall over her clean white blouse. She had to find a band aide to stall over her clean white blouse. She had to find a band aide to stick on her behind. Then she started to ick on her behind. Then she started to ick on her behind. Then she started to ick on her behind. Then she started to clean her blouse, but without any Ivory Soap her only way to hide the stain was to use some Whiteout to clean her blouse, but without any Ivory Soap her only way to hide the stain was to use some Whiteout to clean her blouse, but without any Ivory Soap her only way to hide the stain was to use some Whiteout to clean her blouse, but without any Ivory Soap her only way to hide the stain was to use some Whiteout to cover it up. Always the prankster, Brunhilde pulled out a blob of silly putty and made it into a prank nose cover it up. Always the prankster, Brunhilde pulled out a blob of silly putty and made it into a prank nose cover it up. Always the prankster, Brunhilde pulled out a blob of silly putty and made it into a prank nose cover it up. Always the prankster, Brunhilde pulled out a blob of silly putty and made it into a prank nose sosososo when she opened the door the Mayor’s wife would not recognize her. It worked out just fine; the when she opened the door the Mayor’s wife would not recognize her. It worked out just fine; the when she opened the door the Mayor’s wife would not recognize her. It worked out just fine; the when she opened the door the Mayor’s wife would not recognize her. It worked out just fine; the Mayor’s wife was impressed with the clean house and delicious cookies. Now it was the Mayor’s wife’s Mayor’s wife was impressed with the clean house and delicious cookies. Now it was the Mayor’s wife’s Mayor’s wife was impressed with the clean house and delicious cookies. Now it was the Mayor’s wife’s Mayor’s wife was impressed with the clean house and delicious cookies. Now it was the Mayor’s wife’s opportunity to share a joke, before she left, she showedopportunity to share a joke, before she left, she showedopportunity to share a joke, before she left, she showedopportunity to share a joke, before she left, she showed Brunhilde how she kept her wig in place on her Brunhilde how she kept her wig in place on her Brunhilde how she kept her wig in place on her Brunhilde how she kept her wig in place on her head. She had placed a Velcro strip on the top of her head and then the other side attached to her wig. head. She had placed a Velcro strip on the top of her head and then the other side attached to her wig. head. She had placed a Velcro strip on the top of her head and then the other side attached to her wig. head. She had placed a Velcro strip on the top of her head and then the other side attached to her wig. When she rode on her motorcycle the wig would never fly off. Brunhilde was impressed but was glad thaWhen she rode on her motorcycle the wig would never fly off. Brunhilde was impressed but was glad thaWhen she rode on her motorcycle the wig would never fly off. Brunhilde was impressed but was glad thaWhen she rode on her motorcycle the wig would never fly off. Brunhilde was impressed but was glad that t t t she didn’t wear a wig. The next day she walked to the store to get a new bar of Ivory Soap. she didn’t wear a wig. The next day she walked to the store to get a new bar of Ivory Soap. she didn’t wear a wig. The next day she walked to the store to get a new bar of Ivory Soap. she didn’t wear a wig. The next day she walked to the store to get a new bar of Ivory Soap.

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As the students share their group stories, there will be many clever applications of why the items you have provided in the bags all got together. The brainstorming of ideas is a very important part of inventing and creativity. Humor is a very good way for students to freewheel their ideas and synthesize connections.

When all of the groups have shared, the instructor then begins to unveil the real reasons that the items have been placed in the bags together.

In this lesson plan there are some very brief explanations about the origins of the “Inventions by Accident”. There are also websites listed that will give further information regarding the creation of each item and how it went from accidental discovery to a patented invention.

1.1.1.1. Velcro:Velcro:Velcro:Velcro:

While walking his dog, George de Mestral found that he had picked up many cockle-burrs in his socks and his dog’s ears and fur. He investigated why these burrs could attach as they did and realized that it was due to the hooks on the burrs and the loops in the fur of his dog and his socks. He created the nylon version of the hooks and loops and made Velcro!

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa091297.htm

2.2.2.2. Nestles Toll House MorselsNestles Toll House MorselsNestles Toll House MorselsNestles Toll House Morsels

In 1930, Ruth Wakefield was mixing a batch of cookies for her roadside in guests when she discovered that she was out of baker’s chocolate. She substituted broken pieces of Nestle’s semi sweet chocolate, expecting it to melt and absorb into the dough to create chocolate cookies. That didn’t happen, but the surprising result helped to make Ruth Wakefield one of the 20th centuriy’s most famous women inventors. When she removed the pan from the oven, Wakefield realized that she had accidentally invented chocolate chip cookies.

http://www.-invewomenntors.com/Ruth-Wakefield.asp

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3.3.3.3. White out (aka, Liquid Paper)White out (aka, Liquid Paper)White out (aka, Liquid Paper)White out (aka, Liquid Paper)

Bette Nesmith Graham never intended to be an inventor; she wanted to be an artist. However, shortly after World War II ended, she found herself divorced with a small child to support. She learned shorthand and typing and found employment as an executive secretary. An efficient employee who took pride in her work, Graham sought a better way to correct typing errors. She remembered that artists painted over their mistakes on canvas, so why couldn’t typists paint over their mistakes? She created the first “liquid paper” in her own kitchen by mixing up tempera paint to the same color as the paper she typed on.

http://inventors.about.com/od/lstartinventions/a/liquid_paper.htm

4.4.4.4. Ivory SoapIvory SoapIvory SoapIvory Soap

When an employee of Proctor and Gamble Soap company left the mixing machine on and went to lunch, he came back to find a very airy mass of “White Soap”. He decided to pour it into molds and then sell it anyway. Weeks later customers began to write to the company requesting the wonderful soap that floats!

http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/ivory.htm

5.5.5.5. Tea BagsTea BagsTea BagsTea Bags

Originally intended as samples, tea merchants began sending out teas in sewn silk bags. Some recipients of the bags thought they should put the entire bag in hot water and brew it. Later, the idea for tea sold in bags came from this mistaken identity for tea samples.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.h-tea-o.com%2Fh-tea-o%2Fwww%2Fscripts%2Fmain%2Fdownloads%2Fhundred.pdf

http://www.learn-about-tea.com/tea-bag-history.html

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6.6.6.6. Band AidsBand AidsBand AidsBand Aids

Earle Dickson was employed as a cotton buyer for the company Johnson & Johnson when he invented the Band-aid in 1921. His wife Josephine Dickson was always cutting her fingers in the kitchen while preparing food. At that time a bandage consisted of separate gauze and adhesive tape that you would cut to size and apply yourself. Earle Dickson noticed that gauze and adhesive tape she used would soon fall off her active fingers. He decided to invent something that would stay in place and protect small wounds better. Earle Dickson took a piece of gauze and attached it to the center of a piece of tape, and then covered the product with crinoline to keep it sterile. His boss, James Johnson, saw Earle Dickson's invention and decided to manufacture band-aids to the public and make Earle Dickson vice-president of Johnson & Johnson.

http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventions/a/bandaid.htm

7.7.7.7. Silly PuttySilly PuttySilly PuttySilly Putty

Silly Putty was originally invented by James Wright, working at General Electric’s New Haven, Connecticut lab in 1943. At the time, the Allies were desperately short on rubber thanks to Japan invading various rubber- producing countries in the Pacific Rim. As a result of this, the U.S. government enlisted the aid of various companies to try and invent a synthetic rubber that could be made of readily available materials. It was during one of these attempts to create synthetic rubber that Wright mixed boric acid and silicone oil, making the first Silly Putty, which initially became known as “Nutty Putty”. Although the goo produced by the mixture obviously wasn’t likely to make a good rubber substitute by itself, Wright did discover it had a variety of interesting properties, but he still couldn’t find a good practical use for it. Wright then sent samples of it to scientists all over the world to try to see if they could think up or discover a use for it that he missed. Unfortunately, nobody he sent it to could come up with a practical use for his putty either, and the invention stayed in relative obscurity for around six years.

Extensions: Have students research other inventions that were invented by accidental discovery.