There are many times when people experience very vivid dreams and wonder if they are supposed to mean something significant. Although many people believe that their dreams should be interpreted figuratively, there are many documented cases throughout history where dreams have led to important discoveries and inventions. There are even instances where celebrated authors and musicians have attributed their success to particularly colorful dreams.
One of the most infamous monsters of all time was born after a young author experienced nightmares following a tragic incident. After her first-born baby died, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley dreamed that she was able to bring the infant back to life. Shelley later had another realistic dream about a hideous monster after being challenged to write a ghost story. She combined both of the dreams and then wrote the classic horror novel “Frankenstein.” “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” was inspired by the vivid dreams of Robert Louis Stevenson, and both Stephen King and Stephanie Meyers have admitted that their works were the result of dreams as well. Also, Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics to “Yesterday,” after he remembered the notes of a tune that he had just dreamed about.
There are also several important discoveries that are the result of dreams. For example, Elias Howe invented the sewing machine after dreaming that he was being stabbed by spears that had holes at their tips. Prior to having the dream, he had been unable to finalize the exact design of his new invention and get it to work properly. German scientist, Friedrich August Kekule discovered the structural properties of benzene after visualizing a snake that was biting its tail. Finding the circular benzene ring was hailed as an important contribution to chemistry. Additionally, Rene Descartes was inspired to describe the scientific method after having a series of especially vivid dreams.