How did john harry smith discover perspex?

John Harry Smith discovered Perspex, also known as acrylic, while working with chemical compounds in the 1930s. He was experimenting with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) when he stumbled upon a transparent, shatter-resistant material that exhibited properties ideal for various applications. This accidental discovery led to the commercial development of Perspex, which is widely used in diverse fields such as construction, automotive, and design.