Home
Category

Odd Discoveries

The Lightning-Fast Surgeon Who Achieved Surgery's Only 300% Death Rate in a Single Operation

Dr. Robert Liston could amputate a leg in under three minutes, making him London's most sought-after surgeon in an era before anesthesia. But during one infamous 1847 operation, his legendary speed resulted in the deaths of three people simultaneously — creating the only known surgical procedure with a 300% mortality rate.

Mar 14, 2026

The Pharmacist Who Cooked Up Sunscreen in His Kitchen Using Red Veterinary Petrolatum

Benjamin Green never intended to create a billion-dollar industry when he started experimenting with greasy veterinary ointment in his Miami kitchen. His homemade sunscreen, born from wartime desperation and tested on his own bald head, accidentally launched the modern sun protection industry.

Mar 14, 2026