Curious Stories of Inventions and Discoveries:

• Microwave Oven:  There are several  interesting sites on this subject.  Microwave ovens were invented by a self taught scientist/inventor Percy Spencer.  Mr. Spencer worked for the Raytheon Corporation  responsible for the magnetorn tubes, whcih are used in Radars.  Try these sites: (click here for one), (click here for another)

• Freon and Leaded gasoline. Believe it, these two objects were invented by the same person.  There is a pretty complete story by Mark Bernstein in the Spring 2002 (volume 17, #4) issue of  my favorite magazine "Invention and Technology".  It  is unfortuantely not availabel online.  Try other links in the curious lives section.