The inventions brought by great minds in the field of science and technology have made different aspects of our lives easier, and yes, bearable. Imagine, if simple appliances like electric fan and air-condition were never made available to public? How will people in the tropics ever survive? Can you imagine life without television? Or just the smart phone that you use every hour? Hard, right?

Some of the best inventions of humanity were created during the industrial revolution, for instance, the steam engine. “James Watt created the first truly reliable steam engine in 1775. Other, less efficient models had been developed in the 1600s. Watt’s version included a crankshaft and gears and is the foundation for modern steam engines. This invention made locomotives and many of the textile machines possible,” wrote Robin L in the article titled Important Inventions of the Industrial Revolution for the website brighthubeducation.com. And while we are at the industrial revolution era, it is worthy to mention that the sewing machine was also invented during this transitional period, “Elias Howe created the sewing machine in 1844. This forever changed the way clothes were made and allowed the mass production of clothing. Before this it was most common for women to make all of the clothes for their families. Only the very wealthy could afford to have a tailor or seamstress make custom clothing of the latest fashion. It was later improved upon and patented by Isaac Singer in 1855,” further wrote Robin. Now, it’s hard to imagine how great dressmakers and fashion designers can turn textiles into fabulous creations without sewing machines—although today, a more advanced and electrically motorized sewing machine is best preferred.

Mechanical engineer, Mark, 41, shared how he is still amazed at how in Singapore, centrifugal pump and liquid ring vacuum pump can do a lot of work in such a short time, “When I was still beginning my career as an engineer, I was always taken by my supervisor in different industrial sites and I was introduced to different machines. The centrifugal pump was very useful in petroleum and petrochemical pumping. Heavy duty liquid pumps are also surprisingly aplenty in the sites that I worked for. I’m not surprised because Singapore is very aware of the importance of cleanliness and proper waste management.” Mark also mentioned that in-demand machines like high-pressure cleaner in Singapore are common fixtures in industrial and construction sites. 

Another interesting invention, which was created in 1620 by Dutch builder Cornelis Drebbel, which is the human-powered submarine. Who would have thought that at those very early times, inventors had the guts to make transports that can go through the depths of the sea?

Latin American countries have their share of world inventions too. For instance, Dr. Domingo Liotta who was from Argentina created the artificial heart in 1969. This artificial heart was successfully transplanted into a human being. This momentous invention can now be seen on display at the Smithsonian Museum.

Another inventor from Latin America also from Argentina in the name of Laszlo Jozsef Biro invented the ballpoint pen. The pen has an oil-based ink and a tungsten ball. These components make the ink roll smooth on any kind of paper.