The TV, the telephone, the computer, the iPod – all have been lauded as the greatest invention of all time. However, there are some inventions that come into our daily lives and yet hardly ever get considered. Below is a list of such objects, gadgets and apparatuses that make up the list of top ten most underrated inventions (you can decide which order you’d have them in).
1. Can Opener
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The tin can was patented back in 1810 by English inventor Peter Durand. The cans were used as a storage for food, which were then distributed to the British Army. There was only one slight issue – there was no simple way of getting into the cans. Step up William Lyman exactly 60 years later! The invention of the original can opener with the sharp rotating wheel allowed the soldiers and public to put down their knives and open their canned goods with relative ease.
2. Zipper
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A simple invention yet one that has saved thousands of lives since its inception. There are two stories behind the conception: Percy Shaw of Halifax, UK, realised that after the tram-lines had been removed in the nearby city of Bradford he’d been using the polished strips of steel to navigate his way around – thus the idea was born. The second story has Percy Shaw of Halifax, UK, noticing the reflection of the lights off a cat’s eyes that happened to be sitting by the road. Whichever story is true one thing is certain: Percy Shaw of Halifax, UK, is a hero.
4. Play-Doh
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The children’s clay was created by accident. Noah McVicker developed the product initially as a wallpaper cleaner. After World War II Noah’s nephew Joseph took over the family business. His sister, who was a teacher, took some of the non-toxic clay into her class one day so the students could do some modelling with it. After its success with the children, Play-Doh was officially born. The colour originally came in white, but a year later coloured doh was released and now Play-Doh is one of the most popular toys among children.
5. Super Glue
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Otherwise known as Instant Glue, Krazy Glue or Cyanoacrylate. Dr. Harry Coover and Fred Joyner of Kodak Laboratoried invented the product in 1942 during experiments to create extra clear plastic that would be suitable for gun sights. Inintially the product was rejected for being “too sticky” but in 1958 the inventors rediscovered instant and began selling it commercially.
6. Eye Glasses
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Without eye glasses how would the weaker eyed individuals among us see? Salvino D’Armate of Italy has been credited as the inventor of the first ever wearable eye glasses – back in 1284! However, picture evidence of someone wearing eye glasses didn’t come until 1352 when Tomaso da Modena’s created a portrait of Cardinal Hugh de Provence.
7. Lego
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Ole Kirk Christiansen was a Danish carpenter who made wooden toys in the 1930s. His company soon became known as Lego and they began making plastic toys in 1940. Nine years later they invented the famous bricks, inpspiring generations of children to play architect.
8. Concrete
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Concrete has a long history. Traces of concrete can be found in the Egyptian pyramids. It was during the Roman Empire though that concrete really came to effective use, forming many of their structures. The secret of concrete was lost for 13 centuries until 1756 when British engineer John Smeaton pioneered the use of hydraulic lime in concrete by using pebbles and powdered brick. Simple!
9. Revolving door
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A patent was granted to H. Bockhacker of Germany in 1881 for “Tür ohne Luftzug” or “Door without draft of air”. A U.S. patent was issued to Theophilus Van Kannel, from Philadelphia, in 1888.
10. Theremin
The final inclusion in this list is one you may not have seen coming but it’s worthy of its place for sheer originality. This eerie sounding musical instrument was invented by the Russian physicist Leon Theremin in 1919 and has contributed to many horror films over the years.
