Failed Experiments by Kaia Stonebrook

Failed Experiments delves into the surprising history of science by examining experiments that went hilariously wrong. It reveals how flawed hypotheses and experimental errors, often driven by the zeitgeist of the time, paradoxically contributed to scientific progress. The book explores how even ludicrous attempts can reveal truths about the natural world, while also navigating the ethical considerations surrounding experiments involving humans and animals. The book argues that failure is not the opposite of success but a crucial component of it.

It starts by establishing the scientific method and experimental design principles, then thematically groups case studies, such as those fueled by superstition or those plagued by methodological flaws. By analyzing what went wrong, the book emphasizes the importance of embracing failures as learning opportunities. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of the scientific process and the iterative cycle of experimentation, observation, and revision.