It is surprising how many scientific discoveries have been accidental. The history of science is full of accidental discoveries (Peters, 1999, para. 4). Science is “the knowledge or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiment and observation” (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2014). Accidental is defined as “that occurs in a way that is not planned or intended” (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2014). Discovery is “the act of finding or learning something for the first time” (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2014). In 1754, Horace Walpole, an English author, coined the term “serendipity” to refer to “[t]he faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident” (Farlex, Inc., 2014). Since then, the term "chance" has been used repeatedly to describe accidental discoveries. Accidental discoveries in science play a role in adding to the process of learning from one discovery to the next, like building blocks. In many cases, they have led to impressive advances in medicine. Accidental discoveries have led to the advancement of scientific knowledge around the world. Here are eight accidental discoveries that have played an important role in the history of science. A British surgeon and scientist named Edward Jenner had heard that a person who contracted cowpox did not contract smallpox. In 1796, he experimented with applying samples of smallpox sores to a boy who had not had smallpox (Krock, 2001, para. 7). The child was sick for a few days and recovered shortly thereafter (Krock, 2001). A few months later, Jenner inoculated the boy with the smallpox virus (Krock, 2001). The boy did not contract smallpox, which led to the development of the first vaccine and the science of immunity (Krock, 2001). Although the medical and scientific aspects...... middle of article......ming-bio.htmlPeters, DM (1999). A Nobel quest. Welding Design and Fabrication, 72(11), 6.PSC. (2004). Dr. George Nicholaus Papanicolaou. Retrieved May 9, 2014, from papsociety.org: http://www.papsociety.org/gpbio.htmlThe Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2014). Charles Richet. Accessed May 9, 2014 from britannica.com: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/502776/Charles-RichetThe Museum of Science and Industry. (2006). Sir William Henry Perkin (1838-1907): the discovery of aniline violet. Accessed May 7, 2014 from http://www.mosi.org.uk/: http://www.mosi.org.uk/media/33871452/sirwilliamhenryperkin.pdfU. S. Department of Energy. (2000, August 9). The discovery of radioactivity. Retrieved May 8, 2014 from http://www.lbl.gov/: http://www.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/chapters/03/4.htmlZengerle, J. (2008). Go underneath. New Republic , 239 (12), 21.