//16.4 Youth Watch
by Bimal Mirwani
Countries around the globe are often celebrated for iconic inventions that have made history. Here are a few from 14 countries and regions—some you may recognise but others may surprise you.
Britain
- The telephone – invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, enabled voice communication over long distances. The first text message was sent on a keypad-enabled phone by Neil Papworth on December 3, 1992, reading 「Merry Christmas.」
- Penicillin – the world’s first antibiotic, was discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928 at St. Mary’s Hospital, London. It took over a decade for researchers Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain to develop penicillin as a usable drug. A mouldy melon, found in Illinois in 1943, contained the first strain of mould suitable for mass production.
- The steam engine – invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712 and then heavily improved by James Watt’s patented steam locomotive in 1784. It played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution and was dominant around the world for over a century.
Italy
- A spritz – is a thirst-quenching, effervescent cocktail, often made with Prosecco, digestive bitters and soda water. Created in the Venice region in the 1800s, today its lower alcohol content and glowing red hue symbolise a relaxed lifestyle.
- The first working typewriter – was invented by Pellegrino Turri in 1808. Several other inventions contributed insight for the design but this one was motivated by the disability of Countess Carolina Fantoni da Fivizzano. It enabled her to write him secret love letters.
- The world’s first bank – Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena was established in 1472 in Siena. The bank has a chequered history but has survived crises and scandals. It was struggling to avoid collapse before being bailed out by the Italian government in July 2017.
France
- Champagne – a sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes, was created accidentally and called 「the devil’s wine」 because the bottles exploded and corks popped out suddenly. The oldest recorded sparkling wine is Blanquette de Limoux, invented by French monks near Carcassonne in 1531.
- Michelin Star – a prestigious award in the culinary world, was established by the Michelin tyre company in 1926. It was initially intended to encourage road travel and dining. Today, it remains a hallmark of excellence in gastronomy. The 2024 edition of the Michelin Guide has 214 Hong Kong restaurants.
- Chanel perfume – was created by Gabrielle 「Coco」 Chanel, who opened her first millinery shop in Paris in 1910. Initially popular for hats, she revolutionised women’s fashion with her elegant designs and sports clothes. The iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume was launched in 1922.
Germany
- Adhesive tape was invented by Oscar Troplowitz in Germany in 1896 while he was working for Beiersdorf AG. He was trying to make a medical sticking plaster but instead made the first tape for patching bicycle tyres, known as 「Cito-Sportheftpflaster」.
- First gasoline-powered automobile. The complicated history of cars begins in the late 1600s with the very first internal combustion engine. Nicolas Joseph Cugnot of France built what is said to be the first automobile in 1769. Many historians say the automobile as we know it was invented by either Gottlieb Daimler or Karl Benz. In 1886 Karl Benz received the first patent for a gas-fuelled car.
- First modern bicycle – invented by Karl Drais in Germany in 1817, it was known as the 「laufmaschine」 or 「running machine」 as it had no pedals and was propelled by pushing a person’s feet on the ground.
Switzerland
- The world’s first waterproof wristwatch – the Oyster, was invented in Switzerland in 1926 by Rolex founders Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. They established the company in 1905 with a vision to create precise and reliable wristwatches.
- Zips – were developed significantly by Martin Winterhalter in Switzerland in 1925. He improved upon earlier designs by creating the coil zipper, which features interlocking teeth that are still used today.
USA
- Colour and sound in film – pioneered in the USA during the early 20th century, significant advancements were made by inventors like Thomas Edison. He experimented with hand-painted colour films and sound synchronisation techniques in the 1890s but the introduction of the Technicolor process in the 1930s marked a transformative era in cinema.
- Jazz – was born in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New Orleans, a city whose diverse population included people of different nationalities. Jazz reflects a blend of blues, ragtime and spirituals, allowing for improvisation and highly expressive performances.
- Levi jeans – created in the USA in 1873 when tailor Jacob Davis partnered with Levi Strauss and patented the innovative use of metal rivets to reinforce the pockets and seams of work pants. This collaboration resulted in the creation of the first blue jeans, transforming a symbol of toil into an icon of fashion.
Mexico
- Chocolate – first developed in ancient Mexico by the Olmecs around 1500 BC – the Mayans and Aztecs later refined its use, consuming it as a bitter beverage flavoured with spices. Aztec ruler Montezuma II, allegedly drank gallons of xocolatl each day for energy and as an aphrodisiac.
- Chewing gum – the ancient Mayans extracted sap from the sapodilla tree to create a chewy substance known as chicle. The Aztecs also enjoyed chewing this gum, using it for various purposes, including freshening breath.
South Africa
- Medical innovations – the Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scan was developed by Nobel Prize winners, South African physicist Allan Cormack and British engineer Godfrey Hounsfield in the early 1970s. The first successful human heart transplant was performed by Dr Christiaan Barnard at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town on December 3, 1967.
- The dolos – is a concrete structure invented in South Africa in 1963 by Eric Mowbray Merrifield. It protects harbour walls from wave action. Its interlocking design effectively dissipates wave energy and has been widely adopted for coastal protection worldwide.
Argentina
- Fingerprint identification – developed in 1892 by Argentine police inspector Juan Vucetich, was used in his pioneering breakthrough in a murder case which led to the identification and conviction of a suspect.
- Ballpoint pens – were popularised by László (Ladislao) Biró, a Hungarian-Argentine inventor. While the concept existed earlier, Biró’s design and patent in the 1930s led to the first commercially successful ballpoint pen.
- The tango – invented in Argentina in the late 19th century, emerged from the urban folkloric dances of working-class neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, where a blend of African, European and local musical traditions converged. This sensual dance, once thought rather shocking, became socially acceptable by the early 1900s and was a fashionable craze by 1915.
Brazil
- Samba – Both music and dance samba came from Brazil, evolving from the African rhythms and traditions of enslaved people. By the early 20th century, it was a distinct genre in urban Rio de Janeiro, with the recording of 「Pelo Telefone」 in 1916 marking a milestone symbol of Brazilian culture and identity.
- Vanishing spray – invented by Heine Allemagne in 2000, is used in football to temporarily mark distances for free kicks. It disappears within a minute, enhancing game flow by preventing players from encroaching on the kick area.
India
- Chess – one of the world’s most popular board games, originated in India during the Gupta Dynasty in the 6th century. Known as 「Chaturanga,」 this ancient game was played on an 8×8 board and involved pieces representing different military divisions.
- Cotton cultivation – India is believed to be the first country to cultivate cotton and weave it into fabric. Archaeological evidence suggests that cotton was used as early as 5,000 BC by the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Japan
- Sony Walkman – Invented in Japan in 1979, its creation was inspired by co-founder Masaru Ibuka’s desire to listen to opera during long flights.
- Anime – appeared in Japan in the early 20th century, with the first verifiable animations produced around 1917 using trial-and-error techniques inspired by Western animation. Ōten Shimokawa, Jun’ichi Kōuchi, and Seitarō Kitayama are often referred to as the “fathers of anime.”
- Instant noodles – invented in Japan by Momofuku Ando in 1958, transformed dining habits worldwide by providing a quick and convenient meal option. The invention is celebrated annually as 「National Noodle Day」 in Japan.
Mainland China
- Paper – Cai Lun, a Chinese eunuch and court official, has traditionally been credited with the invention of paper around 105AD, although papyrus, invented in Egypt, was the first paper-like plant-based writing sheet.
- Porcelain – The earliest porcelain appeared during the Shang Dynasty (1600BC-1046BC), but porcelain in the true sense was not produced until the Eastern Han Dynasty. Made from kaolin clay, feldspar and quartz, porcelain has been exported worldwide, playing an important role in promoting economic and cultural exchange between China and the outside world.
- Gunpowder – Invented in China around 1000 AD by Taoist alchemists experimenting with mixtures in search of an elixir for immortality. Combining saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal, it quickly found multiple applications, especially in weapons and fireworks.
Hong Kong
- Fibre optics – Charles Kuen Kao is renowned as the 「father of fibre optic communications」 due to his groundbreaking discoveries in the 1960s on the physical properties of glass. His work established the essential foundation for high-speed data transmission, the Internet and telecommunications.
- Yuenyeung – a popular drink invented in Hong Kong, mixes brewed coffee with Hong Kong-style milk tea, creating a unique blend that reflects the city’s rich culinary culture. This hybrid beverage, which supposedly originated in the 1950s at a dai pai dong called Lan Fong Yuen, has become a staple in local cha chaan tengs (tea restaurants).
- Fridge-to-Go – Invented by Jackson Chan in 2001, this portable icebox eliminates the need for ice. It can be frozen and used to keep food and beverages cold during transportation, making it popular for outdoor activities and travel. Pharmaceutical companies also use the product.