From the Wikipedia page about Sugar Substitutes:
“Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M. Schlatter at the G.D. Searle company (later purchased by Monsanto). He was working on an anti-ulcer drug and spilled some aspartame on his hand by accident. When he licked his finger, he noticed that it had a sweet taste.”
So, put yourself in that position.
You’re working on a new anti-ulcer drug and you accidentally spill some chemicals on your hand.
There are a couple of possible responses:
- “Bugger… I should wash my hands quickly!”
- “Hmmm… I wonder what it tastes like?”
To be an inventor you have to be the sort of person who is tempted to lick!