In New Jersey, USA, Roy J. Plunkett, a chemist at DuPont, was working on a refrigerant when he discovered that a frozen sample of tetrafluoroethylene had polymerized into a white, waxy solid. This material was polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), later known as Teflon. It was incredibly non-reactive and had a low coefficient of friction, making it ideal for non-stick coatings and many other applications. Plunkett's discovery was entirely accidental, and it has become one of the most famous examples of serendipitous innovation.

The discovery of Teflon is a classic story of scientific serendipity, and it has been celebrated in poetry and literature as a symbol of the unexpected benefits of curiosity and experimentation. Teflon's non-stick properties have also been used as a metaphor for detachment and the ability to resist being weighed down, themes that have been explored by contemporary poets. The material's widespread use in cookware and industry has made it a familiar part of modern life, and its accidental origins serve as an inspiration to would-be inventors.