Recherches et rapports sur les métaux

Discovery by Accident: Calcium Carbide

Habashi F

Thomas L.Willson (1860-1915) did not succeed in 1892 to produce aluminum by reduction of Al2 O3 with coal in the electric furnace instead he discovered by accident calcium carbide which produced acetylene on contact with water. Although acetylene had no use at the time but later on it proved to be a very important gas.