17. Super Glue
In 1942, while working for Eastman Kodak, chemist Harry Coover was tasked with developing clear plastic gun sights for military use during World War II. During this research, he encountered cyanoacrylate, a compound that was extremely adhesive but initially dismissed due to its tendency to bond to unintended surfaces. In 1951, Coover revisited cyanoacrylate while overseeing a team investigating heat-resistant polymers for jet canopies. Recognizing its potential as a strong adhesive, he patented the substance in 1958, marketing it as “Eastman 910.” This product, later known as Super Glue, revolutionized bonding applications in both consumer and industrial markets. Coover’s invention also found significant medical applications, including use as a hemostatic agent during the Vietnam War to control bleeding in soldiers’ wounds (invent.org).
