Ideas can take unexpected turns, often leading to outcomes far beyond the original vision. Sometimes, accidents and failures pave the way for groundbreaking inventions and thriving businesses that reshape our world. History proves as much. 

James Dooley, a partner at Searcharoo, shares insights on the lessons we can glean from five corporate giants that emerged from the ashes of accidents or failures.

Coca-Cola

Before: A remedy for common ailments.

Now: A world-famous soft drink.

In 1885, pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton formulated a medicated syrup using coca leaf extract and kola nuts. He combined the syrup with carbonated water and sold it as a ‘brain tonic.’ Pemberton ended up selling the rights to Coca-Cola—a name coined by Pemberton’s bookkeeper—in 1888. The new owner produced Coca-Cola as a fountain drink and started the establishment of the soda empire. James says, “Coca-Cola’s accidental birth showcases that firm boundaries do not have to be drawn when looking at potential applications of a product.”

Kellogg’s

Before: A wheat-based health food.

Now: One of America’s most popular breakfast cereals.

James shares that Dr. John Harvey Kellogg aimed to develop a simple, nutritious breakfast for guests at his Battle Creek, Michigan, medical spa. His initial mixture included flour, oats, and cornmeal. In 1898, he made the best mistake of his life, by leaving a batch of wheat dough overnight. It fermented, resulting in thin, crispy flakes when baked. Dr. John’s brother, Will, further experimented and discovered that corn produced better flakes. He pursued selling these cornflakes to a broader market, seeking a healthy breakfast. With added malt and sugar, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes were mass-produced.

LEGO

Before: Woodworking and carpentry shop.

Now: Plastic toy construction bricks.

In 1916, Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Kristiansen purchased a carpentry shop. However, the 1930s economic crisis wasn’t good for his business. He didn’t close down; instead, he pivoted to making wooden toys. In 1935, he founded the LEGO Group, inspired by the Danish phrase “leg godt,” meaning “play well.” World War I again presented another hurdle to Ole. This time, there was a shortage of birchwood. Again, Ole shifted gears and acquired a plastic molding machine, starting the creation of plastic bricks and laying the foundation for the LEGO bricks we cherish today. “This is a golden example of the results of not giving up,” says James.

Post-It

Before: A super-strong adhesive for planes.

Now: An iconic note-taking tool.

In 1968, scientist Dr. Spencer Silver aimed to create a super-strong adhesive for manufacturing conglomerate 3M. Instead, he accidentally developed a weak adhesive that stuck lightly without bonding tightly. For years, Spencer was unsure what to do with this adhesive until he teamed up with fellow 3M scientist Art Fry.  Art needed a bookmark that would stick to pages without leaving marks. After testing their new “bookmarks,” they released them as yellow adhesive notes—and thus, the Post-It was born. “See how open-mindedness rewarded Spencer?” says James Dooley.

Slack

Before: A multiplayer adventure game.

Now: A messaging and communication platform.

Back in 2012, Tiny Speck pulled the plug on Glitch, an online adventure game, due to financial struggles, despite its 150K players. However, the game’s chat system was smooth and efficient. So Tiny questioned, why let it rot? Realizing the system’s potential, the company rebranded and launched a new app in 2013. Their success led to going public in 2019 and transforming into a multi-billion dollar company: Slack.

These examples are five of many. Accidents often lead to unexpected triumphs, shaping industries and inspiring innovation. “These companies demonstrate the power of resilience and adaptation,” shares James Dooley. “No idea is too small, and turning hurdles into opportunities can create legacies. It’s about making lemonade from lemons.”