The invention of Teflon was an accidental discovery by Dr Plunkett during experiments being conducted in relation to refrigerant research. The research involved working with gases related to Freon refrigerant and the discovery was made when frozen compressed samples were discovered to have left behind a white waxy solid that was subsequently discovered to be PTFE or Polytetrafluoroethylene. The polymerization of the Freon materials or change to their state due to various chemical reactions cause the accidental production of PTFE. The many applications that are now part of daily life were developed from this unique and highly practical material.