In the 1940s, while stuck in bed with tuberculosis, biochemist Karl Link read a book on rodent control.

 Karl created a rat poison from an anticoagulant he'd discovered while trying, but failing, to treat sick cows. 

Later, a soldier trying to end his life ate Karl's rat poison, which, unexpectedly, helped lead to its use as a blood thinner in humans. 

From multiple failures, the compound warfarin was born, and it's been used to treat and save millions of people. 

Whether in science or life, the road to discovery is rarely a straight line. 

We take two steps forward, then fall three steps back. 

We veer off course and have to find our way back. 

Surprise detours lead us to unsuspected places. 

Places we never imagined were possible.