Task Failed Successfully: The Science of Happy Accidents - Part 2

Nonsense with cj little and Jeff Parker · Jul 2, 2026 · 25m

(0:00) Open

(1:01) The Glued-Shut Gun Sights

(4:16) Alot About Aspirin

(6:40) The Wrong Box of Resistors

(9:29) The Spoiled Clover

(12:03) The Exploding Hot Stove

(16:05) Whippets Real Good

(21:33) cj’s recommendation: NOVA on PBS

(22:42) Jeff’s Recommendation: The Man in the White Suit (1951)

If you've ever made a massive mistake at work and secretly hoped it would change human history, this is the episode for you. The boys are back before their summer break to sweep the lab floors of history and examine the brilliant mistakes left behind by brilliant (and sometimes incredibly clumsy) minds…