In 1938, chemist Roy Plunkett was trying to create a new refrigerant when he found a strange white powder in a gas cylinder. It turned out to be PTFE—later known as Teflon—a super-slick, heat-resistant substance that nothing seemed to stick to.

Originally used in industry, Teflon made its kitchen debut in the 1950s when a French engineer coated frying pans with it (at his wife's suggestion). From non-stick cookware to medical devices and space suits, Teflon’s slippery magic quickly spread—though not without controversy. Today, safer versions are still keeping eggs from sticking.