A surprising number of items in our everyday lives are the result of serendipity; i.e. accidents with useful outcomes. From the earliest times, people have tried to discover new materials, invent new methods methods of doing things and ways to solve problems. They would often need to try and try again, but ultimately fail. For example, medieval alchemists never did manage to turn base metals into gold, nor discover the 'elixir of life'.

Sometimes however, unexpected results, although not what they were hoping for, proved very useful and were adapted and adopted into everyday life. Microwave ovens and superglue are two examples emerging from experiments that 'went wrong'; neither was what their discoverers were trying to make.

"Serendipitous Science" is an illustrated presentation by Mike Tingle, describing and explaining how fortunate accidents, from the Stone Age up to the present, have improved people's lives in unexpected ways. Many will be familiar to you, but you probably don't know their origins. Come and learn how our modern lives have been enhanced by chance discoveries over the centuries.

Free entry; Donations appreciated.