The Surprising Accidental Invention Story of Superglue
Superglue, or Cyanoacrylate, was discovered accidentally and not once but twice.
During the 1940s, many technological advancements and scientific discoveries took place in the heat of World War II. Among these unexpected by-products of the war period was the adhesive known as superglue. This now-essential adhesive was initially discovered by Dr. Harry Coover, who set out to create clear plastic sights for guns used by Allied soldiers. Working with chemicals known as cyanoacrylates, he found that instead of forming clear plastic as intended, these substances stuck to everything they came in contact with—a result far from desirable at that moment. Frustrated with the sticky problem, he abandoned these cyanoacrylates. However, this would not be their last appearance in Coover’s career.
Rediscovery and Recognition
Fast forward to 1951, when Coover was working at Eastman Kodak's Tennessee Eastman Company, his team conducted experiments with cyanoacrylates in a search for heat-resistant polymers for jet canopies when they remembered their adhesive qualities. Instead of dismissing cyanoacrylates again because they were too sticky, Coover had an eureka moment when he realized they could be used because of this property. They required neither pressure nor heat to adhere firmly—a factor that made them superior to other adhesives on the market. This led him to invent 'Eastman 910', known today as superglue!
Versatility and Applications
Superglue, formed under many trade names including ‘Loctite’, ‘Krazy Glue’, and others, is famous now due to its exceptional bonding ability. Its usage has expanded beyond simple consumer products like fixing household items or craftwork. Superglue played a notable role in the Vietnam War as an emergency stitch (before getting proper surgical attention) for injured soldiers. The adhesive's ability to quickly seal wounds helped save lives on the battlefield by reducing blood loss and infection risks until proper medical treatment was available.
In addition to its medical applications, superglue is used in forensic science. Fuming with cyanoacrylate helps to develop latent fingerprints on various surfaces. When heated, the cyanoacrylate vaporizes and binds to the fingerprint residues, making them visible for analysis. This technique has become a staple in crime scene investigations.
Modern-Day Significance
Superglue's applications have far surpassed its intended usage, emerging as vital in medical and forensic science fields. In everyday life, its solid and quick-bonding properties make it an indispensable tool for repairs and crafts. The adhesive's ability to bond various materials, including metal, plastic, and wood, showcases its versatility.
In conclusion, superglue—something that we often take for granted or even find annoying when it sticks our fingers together—was an accidental discovery not once but twice. Its development from a failed attempt to create clear plastic sights to a revolutionary adhesive highlights the importance of uncertainty in scientific discovery. Superglue's remarkable properties and wide-ranging applications underscore its significance as one of the most important inventions of the 20th century.
References
- Coover, H. W. (1959). Cyanoacrylate Adhesives. U.S. Patent No. 2,794,788.
- Eastman Kodak Company. (1958). Eastman 910: A New Instant Adhesive. Internal Company Report.
- The Nobel Prize. (2011). Harry Coover: Inventor of Super Glue. Retrieved from Nobel Prize
- Morton, O. (2001). Bonding: The Secret History of Superglue. The New Yorker.
- Crime Scene Investigator Network. (2005). The Use of Cyanoacrylate in Latent Fingerprint Development. Retrieved from CSI Network