Alfred Wilm and the hardening of metals

The pseudo-history of science is full of that old trope of ‘the accidental discovery’. It makes for great, romantic story-telling, and excellent click-bait. Archimedes, we all know, ran stark naked, bellowing ‘Eureka’, down the streets of Syracuse while thinking about density. We also have Hennig Brandt distilling urine and obtaining white phosphorus. Ira Remsen’s saccharin-contaminated bread. Alexander Fleming’s mould. The list goes on.