Important Inventions

Here are some important inventions

  • Toothpaste was invented by the Romans in 960.
  • Dynamite was invented by Alfred Nobel in 1866.
  • The first guitar was made by a Spanish instrument maker.
  • Paper was invented in China nearly 2,000 years ago.
  • Pasta and ice-cream were first made in China.
  • The Volkswagen “Beetle” was designed by Ferdinand Porsche.
  • The ballpoint pen was invented by a Hungarian named Biro.
  • Mirrors were invented by the Egyptians.
  • The rubber tyre was invented by John Dunlop in 1888.
  • The first underground was opened in London in 1863.
  • The first tape cassettes were designed by  a Dutch company.
  • The first nuclear power station was opened in Russia in 1954.
  • The first pair of jeans was made by a German tailor called Levi Strauss.
  • The raincoat was invented by a Scotsman called Charles Makintosh.
  • The first motorcycle was built by a French company in 1869.

Some Important Inventions of the 20th Century

The 20th century has given us plenty of things that improve our lives: TV, calculators, mobile phones, CDs… It has also given us some household objects that make our lives easier and more comfortable. Read about some inventions of the past century. Make a list of 5 most important icons of the 20th century. Give reasons.

TV

A Russian engineer Vladimir Zvorykin emigrated to the USA and there in 1931 produced an apparatus that later became known as a television set. The first TV station was located on the Empire State Building in New York City. The programmes could be watched only by those who lived not farther than 60 miles from the station.

Video

In 1975 the Japanese corporation JVC made it possible to record films and TV programmes at home. The system was known as VHS (Video Home System).

Computer

The first computers were huge. They were used for scientific purposes. Sinklair ZX 80, the 1980 machine, was the first computer used by ordinary people. Psion Organizer of 1990s shifted computers off the desktop.

Internet

The global network was designed for serious scientific purposes. In 1962 the US scientists started to build a network between the leading scientific centers of the USA. In 1969 this network joined four universities. In 1972 the first e-mail with symbol @ was sent.

Mobile Phone

Mobile phone now used by millions of people appeared in 1973. The American Martin Cooper invented the first mobile phone – Motorola Dyna –Tec.. It weighed a kilo. Now mobile phones have made a massive impact on social and working activities and changed the way we communicate.

Compact Disk

Compact Disk from the 1980s brought an end to vinyl records and revolutionized the storage of computer data.

Digital Watch

Digital watch appeared in 1970. It brought computer technology into everyday life.

Contact lenses

The first contact lenses were made from plastic in 1936 in New York. But only thanks to new materials and developed technologies there appeared soft lenses that let oxygen to the eyes.

Trainers

The first trainers were designed by Adolf and Rudolf Dessler right after WW II. Canvas and rubber were used to make them. Later the brothers went each his own way. In 1949 Adolf patented his trainers under the name “Adidas”. This is the world famous firm now. The first three letters stand for Adi – a short form for Adolf and the last three letters represent the beginning of the surname. The second brother established his own company “Puma”.

Speak about some important inventions.