Some of the world's most valuable products were born from blunders, according to a Wall Street Journal report. From cornflakes to the pacemaker, accidental discoveries have reshaped industries and saved lives. Christian Busch, a University of Southern California business-school professor, notes that people often underestimate how improbable the improbable can be.

Historical examples abound, starting with Christopher Columbus's unintended discovery of the New World while seeking a westward route to Asia. This pattern of harnessing happenstance has led to inventions that extended cardiac patients' lives and revolutionized human eating habits. Even simple pleasures like bubble wrap emerged from failed experiments.

These serendipitous innovations demonstrate that mistakes can be valuable business assets. Companies that embrace experimentation and learn from failures often find unexpected breakthroughs. The article suggests that fostering a 'serendipity mindset' could be crucial for innovation in today's competitive marketplace.