In 1951, American chemist Dr Harry Coover was experimenting with a substance called cyanoacrylate but it was sticking to everything.

He realised its potential as an adhesive and it went on sale in 1958 as Eastman 910, because it only took 10 seconds to set.

But his product only became a commercial success after an appearance on a game show, I've Got a Secret, where Harry demonstrated his glue could hold the weight of the presenter.

Rachel Naylor speaks to Harry's grandson, Adam Paul.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

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(Photo: Dr Harry Coover holds up items stuck together with superglue in 1986. Credit: AP / Fred Jewell)

The invention of superglue

Witness History