Intellectual Property (IP)
Great Ideas!
Penicillin; expect the unexpected
Penicillin is one of those world changing discoveries that would have gone unnoticed if it wasn’t for Alexander Fleming’s open mind. When returning from vacation he found his cultures of bacteria contaminated with Penicillium molds. Around the molds, no bacterial growth appeared. Fleming could easily have discarded his cultures, since they were ruined. Instead, he recognized the potential of his observations and carried on investigating the antibiotic properties of Penicillium.
‘The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’, but ‘That’s funny…’ - Isaac Asimov
Penicillium is estimated to have saved up to 200 million lives. Most of all, research produces unexpected results. Findings that may seem undesirable at first can be of great importance. Can your invention be used for other purposes then the one you are thinking of? Find out!
