On the role of brilliant blunders in physics

Abstract Even the greatest scientists have made some serious blunders. This paper on brilliant blunders in physics concerns the evolution of the Earth, of stars and of the Universe as a whole. It explores and analyses major errors committed by such luminaries as Lord Kelvin, Fred Hoyle and Albert Einstein. The paper scrutinises the various types of blunders and attempts to explain how they occurred. It argues that blunders are not only inevitable, but also an integral component of the advancement of science. “Brilliant blunders” in particular can be the portals to discoveries.