Mistakes That Made America

A thin slice of potato, born out of frustration, became America’s favorite snack, but the innovations that kept it fresh helped turn a simple snack into a nationwide obsession.

A failed attempt to create a super-strong adhesive accidentally results in a weak, reusable one—leading to the unlikely invention of the Post-it Note, which goes on to become one of the world’s most recognizable tools for work and creativity.

A failed wallpaper cleaning product gets a second chance as a classroom craft and accidentally becomes one of America’s most iconic toys.