What tummy filler was invented by accident on May 8, 1886?

???? don't know what is it???/

I can't tell you yet. that would ruin the survey for everyone else.

Ice cream cones? I think it was ice cream cones. I think it was at a World's Fair (Chicago?), too. Somebody didn't put enough batter in the waffle-iron or something.

Where do you people come up with this useless knowledge?

What is the actual answer? I guessed Coke.

I'll guess ice cream... I heard something about cups being unavailable, so someone rolled up a waffle...

Sandwiches?

Well, I know that Coca-Cola was invented on that date, but it wasn't by accident so it can't be that one...

Yeah it was...

How do you figure that a formula that the inventor worked on for years was an accident? It's not like he spilled something on something else and voila, Coca-Cola; he labored over it for quite a while. Its creation was completely intentional.

The purpose to which it was ultimately put may have been other than Dr. Pemberton intended, but that's a bit different from its creation. If that's the criteria you're using, then the date is wrong because it didn't become a simple beverage until years later.

For example, if I'm a scientist and I work on a naval sealing compound for years until I was satisfied with it, that compound could not be said to have been created accidentally. If it turns out that kids like to play with it and some advertising guy markets it as Silly Putty, that still doesn't mean it was invented by accident. It was simply marketed for a different purpose.

I thought (vague and very possibly incorrect memory here) that the first person he showed it to suggested carbonating it or something? So there was an 'accidental' addition that formed the basis of modern coke?

John Pemberton wanted to invent the remedy for people who imbibed too much. He cooked a mixture and when he was finished, he had a new medicine to relieve exhaustion, aid the nervous and soothe headaches. When he took it the the pharmacy he instructed his assistant to mix syrup with water and chill it with ice. They tasted it and agreed that it was delicious. But when his assistant mixed another glass, he ACCIDENTALLY added carbonated water instead of plain water. They then decided that they would offer this as a fountain drink rather than a medicine for headaches. They called it Coca-Cola. And the date was May 8, 1886. In 1886 Coca Cola sales averaged nine drinks a day. If you'd like to argue with me any further even though you're obviously wrong. I suggest you take it up with the writers of the book called "Mistakes that Worked."

Hmmm...over a dozen histories researched (including the Coca-Cola company's official history) and apparently that book is the sole source of the accident story. Fine with me, I'm prepared to drop it.

Just as an aside, keep in mind that telling someone they're "obviously wrong" based on a difficult-to-corroborate story in a book some guy wrote is always a risky proposition. You might want to skim through that book to see if there's any mention of Thomas Crapper inventing the toilet or lemmings jumping off cliffs. (I've got a book that repeats the Crapper myth so I know it happens.)

Next you're going to tell me that Mr. Titslinger didn't invent the brazier.

I'm gonna guess popcorn.

It doesn't have anything on Thomas Crapper or lemmings off cliffs. It is written by Charlotte Foltz Jones and it includes 40 inventions and how they came to be.

Okay, I don't want to get into a pissing match about it. We can agree to disagree, especially when it concerns the reliability of a book written for 5th graders.

Oh, I can't help it. Here's one more volley...urban legend, anyone?

Who cares if it's written for 5th graders. It's teaching children. I highly doubt that it would teach inaccuracy. Just because a book is written to teach children something, does not make it any less true than a book written for adults.

I'm going to guess Toll House cookies since I know they were invented by accident. A woman tried to skip melting the chocolate in her cookie recipe and just break the chocolate into small pieces.

I'm pretty sure it's coke.

My history book had the same story in it.

We're talking about a documented urban legend here. These things get spread around in books all the time. I have a book that repeats the Thomas Crapper thing, I have a book that says Abner Doubleday invented baseball, and we all know how Disney took the whole lemming thing and ran with it. It's really not that uncommon. They didn't mean to teach inaccuracy, but they got sucked in by a popular myth. It's not that big a deal, I'm sure it's still a good book.

Abner Doubleday is a myth, however what makes you so sure that the coca cola story is a myth? Just because it does not agree with your opinion on it?

Your history book says what story? The story I told? Or the one that ILJ seems to think is right?

the one you told

Yay! Finally someone is backin up my story! Oh wait...buddy boy probably won't except that 'cause after all it's only a book written for high school kids.

No, he won't accept your immature insistences because it's a documented UL.

How am I being immature? At least I can admit when I'm wrong. He just finds excuses for things when they don't agree with him.

And another thing, what is a UL?

Where do I begin? You are verging on resorting to name calling, you are not admitting to when you are wrong; merely assuming that because you have one book that says you are right other evidence saying it is wrong must be wrong. ILJ gave a cite which in turn lists 5 books used as reference, what makes you think it can't be YOU that is wrong?

UL=Urban Legend.

When did I call someone a name? I said buddy boy. Big deal. I couldn't remember what his name was.

Ok so how do you figure it is a tummy filler?

No, actually it's from my college class that I took last year.

Oh

We had a Bob Newhart comedy album when I was a kid and he did a funny routine about Doubleday trying to sell his idea for baseball to a game company (Milton Bradley, I think). Ever heard it? My favorite on that album was The Driving Instructor. Funny stuff!

Coca Cola?