Are there any significant discoveries that were discovered by accident?

 

Some inventions which changed world…

1. Sir Robert chesebrough (Vaseline)

Robert was a chemist who used to refine kerosene, but after decrease in petrol price his business slowdown.

One day during his visit to an oil refinery in Pennsylvania, he saw a worker removing some sticky thing from his body, when asked he told him that they used to apply it on burned or cut skin to heal the wound.

Thus, Robert got his “petroleum jelly”

When local chemist didn't show any trust in his product, He even travelled to New York to give live demornstration of this product. In front of large crowd he burned his skin and applied it over. In few years Vaseline was popular worldwide.

2. George de Mestral- (velcro)

George de Mestral was a Swiss engineer, in 1941 he went in woods with his dog for hunting. on arriving back he noticed that Burr seed was clung to his dog's fur and his clothes, he wondered and examined Burr under microscope and discovered that it was covered in tiny hooks and by that he was inspired by Hook and loop method.

He researched for 8 years and named it velcro vel(velvet) and cro(crochet).

A fastener way between buttons and zipper, it is now used in number of items including sandals,bags,toys,cords sweater to upto NASA.

Burr(which gave idea)

One of the most used product..

3. Humphrey O'Sullivan- (Rubber heeled shoes)

O'Sullivan was a young printer in Lowell, Massachusetts during 1895, he had to work on stone floor and had to stand while printing so wooden sole in his shoes and stone floor caused him pain in his feet.

so he bought a rubber mat to stand on while working, his fellow employees kept borrowing that rubber mate from him, because it was too comfortable so, he cut out two pieces of mate in heel size and nailed them to shoes.

He was pleased and astonished by the comfort of this shoes and started making full fledged rubber heels and eventually patented the idea.

In a few years his heels were being shipped all over country, one of his advertisement in newspaper……

4. Edouard Benedictus-(laminated glass)

Edouard a French chemist/scientist once was climbing a ladder and accidentally knock a glass flask of shelf. It fell to the floor and shattered but to his surprise shards of glass still remain in or almost in shape as before.

He was confused and asked his assistant what was in the flask he said cellulose nitrate (liquid plastic). After the experiments a layer of cellulose nitrate remained in the flask prevented glass from breaking.

This gave edouard idea of safety glass/laminated glass on windscreen which has saved so many lives after accidents.

Swedish company Volvo used this safety glass first time in Volvo PV 44 as windscreen in 1944.

5. Percy Spenser-(microwave oven)

He was an American radar Engineer who used to focus on working and building of magnetron because magnetron generated microwave signals which was core mechanism of radar.

One day when he was working a candy bar in his pocket melted at first he was confused and then he understood that it was miracle of the microwaves he put a Bowl of corn and made first “microwaved popcorn”.

Percy continued experimenting and made microwave by attaching a high density electromagnetic field generator to an enclosed metal box.

6.Willis Carrier-(air conditioner)

In 1902 the Willis was given a project by his company buffalo forge to solve a problem of humidity in a lithographic and printing company in Brooklyn, they told him that the problem was that because of humidity in printing room ink would not dry.

He worked several years on this project, one day in garden when he saw moisture droplets on an alluminium pipe, an idea struck his mind.

he used pipe that would carry cold water and beneath them he kept two fan one would throw moist air towards pipe and other one kept moving air circulation of room.

Thanks to Willis otherwise imagine summer in cities like Delhi, Ahmadabad and Rajasthan(state) without air conditioner!!

Present time air conditioner

The Best way to predict future is to invent it- Alan kay

Jarasandha's Most Significant Battles in the Mahabharata: A Detailed Analysis

Introduction

Jarasandha, the powerful ruler of Magadha, was one of the most formidable antagonists in the Mahabharata. He was the son of King Brihadratha and was born under miraculous circumstances, having been joined together by a rakshasi named Jara. Jarasandha’s prowess as a warrior and his vast empire made him one of the most influential kings of his time. His military campaigns and conflicts with the Yadavas, Pandavas, and other rulers were pivotal in shaping the course of history in the Mahabharata.

This analysis delves into Jarasandha’s most significant battles, his strategic strengths, and the ultimate confrontation that led to his downfall.

1. Jarasandha’s Military Strength and Conquests

Jarasandha was known for his extensive military might. His army was vast, consisting of numerous chariots, cavalry, elephants, and infantry. His capital, Rajagriha, was heavily fortified, making it difficult for enemies to attack. His primary ambition was to establish himself as the undisputed emperor by subjugating rival kingdoms.

2. Conflict with the Yadavas

One of Jarasandha’s most significant rivalries was with the Yadavas, particularly Lord Krishna and his allies. His enmity with them stemmed from his son-in-law, Kansa, who was slain by Krishna.

2.1 Battle Against Krishna in Mathura

Jarasandha sought vengeance for Kansa’s death and launched a series of attacks against the city of Mathura, where Krishna and the Yadavas resided.

• First Attack: Jarasandha led a massive army against Mathura. Krishna and Balarama, though outnumbered, managed to defend the city using superior tactics. Jarasandha was forced to retreat.
• Repeated Invasions: Jarasandha attacked Mathura seventeen times, each time gathering a larger army. However, Krishna and Balarama consistently repelled his attacks through guerrilla warfare and defensive strategies.
• Final Assault and the Exodus to Dwaraka: Realizing that Mathura was becoming indefensible due to constant invasions, Krishna decided to shift the Yadava capital to Dwaraka. This strategic move deprived Jarasandha of his primary target, frustrating his attempts to annihilate the Yadavas.

3. The Battle Against Kalayavana and the Yadava Strategy

Jarasandha later allied with Kalayavana, a powerful barbarian king, to destroy Krishna. Kalayavana led an independent attack on Mathura, while Jarasandha planned another assault. Krishna, using his intelligence, lured Kalayavana into a cave where he was killed by the sage Muchukunda. This event weakened Jarasandha’s offensive strategy, forcing him to abandon his plan.

4. Conquest of Northern and Central Indian Kingdoms

Jarasandha sought to expand his empire and aimed at performing the Rajasuya Yajna by imprisoning and sacrificing 100 kings. He subjugated several kingdoms, including:

• Chedi (Shishupala’s Kingdom)
• Kashi (Varanasi)
• Kalinga (Odisha region)
• Kosala
• Panchala
• Mithila His ambition to establish absolute supremacy led to tensions with the Pandavas, particularly Yudhishthira, who also aspired to perform the Rajasuya Yajna.

5. The Final Battle: Jarasandha vs. Bhima

One of the most legendary battles in the Mahabharata was Jarasandha’s duel with Bhima, orchestrated by Krishna as part of the Pandavas’ Rajasuya Yajna preparations.

5.1 Krishna’s Strategy to Weaken Jarasandha

• Yudhishthira’s desire to perform the Rajasuya Yajna required all rival kings to either submit or be defeated.
• Krishna, knowing that a full-scale war against Magadha would be costly, devised a plan to challenge Jarasandha in a one-on-one duel.
• Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna disguised themselves as Brahmins and entered Rajagriha, where they challenged Jarasandha to combat.

5.2 Bhima vs. Jarasandha: The Epic Duel

• Jarasandha, known for his warrior code, agreed to single combat with Bhima.
• The battle lasted for fourteen days, with both warriors showcasing immense strength and endurance.
• Despite being evenly matched, Bhima, under Krishna’s guidance, tore Jarasandha’s body apart and threw the two halves in opposite directions, preventing his body from rejoining, thereby killing him permanently.

6. Aftermath and Impact of Jarasandha’s Death

• With Jarasandha’s demise, the imprisoned kings were freed, and Yudhishthira successfully completed his Rajasuya Yajna.
• Magadha’s throne was handed over to Sahadeva, Jarasandha’s son, who allied with the Pandavas.
• The removal of Jarasandha’s threat allowed Krishna and the Pandavas to focus on other powerful adversaries like Duryodhana and Shakuni.

Conclusion

Jarasandha’s battles were among the most significant conflicts in the Mahabharata. His repeated invasions of Mathura, his expansionist campaigns, and his final confrontation with Bhima highlight his role as a formidable warrior and a key political player of the era. His death marked a turning point, paving the way for the Pandavas’ rise and the eventual Kurukshetra War. His military strategies, strengths, and weaknesses offer valuable insights into the dynamics of ancient Indian warfare and diplomacy.