Serendipity, error, and exaptation

Serendipity

                One of the most well-known serendipitous discoveries in modern history is the X-ray. This discovery is credited to an 1895 observation made by Wilhelm Roentgen (Shackle, 2015). Roentgen was a German physicist that was working with a cathode ray tube at the time of the discovery. Curiously, as the cathode ray tube was covered, a nearby fluorescent screen would glow when the tube was on (Shackle, 2015). The physicist desperately tried to block the rays with various objects but proved to be unsuccessful. However, it was when Roentgen placed his hand in front of the tube that he knew this was something worth exploring. He noticed that an image of the bones in his hand were being projected onto the screen.

Error

One accidental innovation due to error as it relates to silicon chips is what has been dubbed “smart dust.” A student named Jamie Link was working with silicon computer chips when one of the chips unexpectedly exploded into dust (British Science Association, n.d.). What the student discovered is that this exploded silicon chip dust provided the ability to be used as sensors. This is a revolutionary discovery. A common use case for this type of sensing capability is to detect salt in concrete (British Science Association, n.d.). Salt is a substance that is known to weaken the integrity of concrete. Modern engineering relies heavily on concrete. Roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures are a few examples of the use of concrete. The ability to monitor concrete with smart dust is a welcomed safety feature.

Exaptation

                An excellent example of exaptation is the laser. Laser is an acronym derived from “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation” (Dew, Sarasvathy, & Venkataraman, 2004, p. 77). Although Einstein worked out the underlying science for lasers in a 1916 paper, the invention of the technology was attributed to Charles Townes in the 1950s (Dew, Sarasvathy, & Venkataraman, 2004, p. 77). An exaptation occurs when repurposing an innovation to achieve something new. Today, laser technology is at the forefront of many modern medical procedures. One example of this exaptation can be seen is eye surgery procedures such as LASIK. I had the opportunity to experience this exaptation first-hand in 2010. Dew, Sarasvathy, and Venkataraman (2004), also discuss how laser technology is now being used in bomb guidance systems, barcodes, and cutting and welding technologies (p. 78).

References

British Science Association. (n.d.). Accidental discoveries. https://www.britishscienceweek.org/app/uploads/2015/10/NSEW-Accidental-Discoveries-Primary-PackFULLOPT.pdf

Dew, N., Sarasvathy, S., & Venkataraman, S. (2004). The economic implications of exaptation. Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 14(1), 69-84. DOI: 10.1007/s00191-003-0180-x

Shackle, S. (2015, April 2). Science and serendipity: Famous accidental discoveries. https://newhumanist.org.uk/articles/4852/science-and-serendipity-famous-accidental-discoveries