FACTArchive →
In 1928, Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin when he forgot to clean his petri dishes before going on vacation and found mold had killed all the bacteria.
FACT
@fact5
Science Gone WrongSep 04, 2026

In 1928, Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin when he forgot to clean his petri dishes before going on vacation and found mold had killed all the bacteria.

The world's most important medicine was discovered by accident. Fleming left dirty petri dishes before vacation. Forgot to clean laboratory workspace completely. Returned to find mysterious mold killed bacteria. Accidental contamination saved millions of lives. Medical breakthrough came from being lazy.

See it on Facebook →← All facts
Share → X Reddit WhatsApp Threads Facebook
Spot an error? Email hello@thefact5.com with a source — we correct visibly.
KEEP SCROLLING

More strange facts ✦

A 42-mph wind made this bridge tear itself apart. 🌉
FACT
@fact5
Science Gone Wrong
A 42-mph wind made this bridge tear itself apart. 🌉
This nuclear mass could kill you within five minutes. ☢️
FACT
@fact5
Science Gone Wrong
This nuclear mass could kill you within five minutes. ☢️
Hisashi Ouchi endured an estimated 17 sieverts. ☢️
FACT
@fact5
Science Gone Wrong
Hisashi Ouchi endured an estimated 17 sieverts. ☢️
In 1953, researchers at MIT accidentally created LSD-infused elephants by injecting an elephant named Tusko with 3,000 times the normal human dose, killing him instantly.
FACT
@fact5
Science Gone Wrong
In 1953, researchers at MIT accidentally created LSD-infused elephants by injecting an elephant named Tusko with 3,000 times the normal human dose, killing him instantly.
A frozen lake collected human skeletons for 1,000 years. 🦴
FACT
@fact5
Creepy Discoveries
A frozen lake collected human skeletons for 1,000 years. 🦴
Lightning struck Roy Sullivan seven separate times. ⚡
FACT
@fact5
Unbelievable Records
Lightning struck Roy Sullivan seven separate times. ⚡
Betty invented a tool when hers was stolen. 🐦
FACT
@fact5
Animal Oddities
Betty invented a tool when hers was stolen. 🐦
The US government deliberately infected 1,300 people with syphilis. 💉
FACT
@fact5
Dark History
The US government deliberately infected 1,300 people with syphilis. 💉
The man who invented the fire hydrant died in a house fire because the nearest fire hydrant was broken and firefighters couldn't get water.
FACT
@fact5
Ironic Twists
The man who invented the fire hydrant died in a house fire because the nearest fire hydrant was broken and firefighters couldn't get water.
Toothpaste was sold with radioactive thorium inside. ☢️
FACT
@fact5
Dark History
Toothpaste was sold with radioactive thorium inside. ☢️
Your childhood cereal was sweeter than a glazed doughnut. 🥣
FACT
@fact5
Dark History
Your childhood cereal was sweeter than a glazed doughnut. 🥣
On Aug 22, 2026, a humanoid robot ran 100m in 9.39 seconds at Beijing's World Humanoid Robot Games — beating Usain Bolt's 17-year-old world record of 9.58s.
FACT
@fact5
Current World
On Aug 22, 2026, a humanoid robot ran 100m in 9.39 seconds at Beijing's World Humanoid Robot Games — beating Usain Bolt's 17-year-old world record of 9.58s.
🎲 Surprise me with another