An ACS video that gives another spin to the idea of lab accidents can be found at
"Throughout the history of science, many major discoveries came accidentally. Sometimes they came from recognizing potential in an unexpected product or waste. Other times, discovery came out of pure desperation from a seemingly dead-end experiment. Here are some of those happy accidents that ended up changing the world."
Funny they didn't mention how many Superfund sites arose in the use of the same materials...