Irish people have created some of the most important inventions we are benefiting from today. Here are fifteen of the most influential Irish inventions.
From colour photography to rubber soles and submarines, Ireland has created its fair share of inventions that have changed the world.
And for such a small place, the Emerald Isle’s genius inventions have changed and shaped the world we live in in radically more ways that we could ever realise.
Want to find out how? Have a read below of 15 Irish inventions that changed the world.
Meanwhile in Ireland’s top facts about Irish inventions that changed the world
- Irish engineer John Phillip Holland is credited with developing and crediting the first successful submarine. He patented his concept way back in 1881.
- Another late 19th century invention, Irish physicist John Joly created the Joly Colour process which helped to establish coloured photography.
- The 1860s witnessed the invention of the first working naval torpedo, made by Robert Whitehead, who was born in Ireland.
- Whiskey is adored in Ireland and it is no wonder! Whiskey distillation and production has been taking place in Ireland since the 15th century.
- Portable defibrillator’s are now one of the most important pieces of emergency medical equipment, and Irish doctor Dr. Diarmuid Hudsmith helped develop it.
15. Induction Coil – still used by car ignitions
Rev Nicholas Callan was responsible for the induction coil. He wrapped 2 long wires around the end of an electromagnet. The ends of one wire were then connected to a battery.
When he interrupted or inhibited the current from the battery, he got a spark from the end of the other unconnected coil. The induction coil was born. Car ignitions today still use his invention.
14. Guinness – a pint of the Black Stuff
Guinness is the most popular and successful export of Ireland. Arthur Guinness started brewing the best-selling alcoholic drink of all time in Leixlip, County Kildare before moving to St. James’s Gate Brewery.
Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year contract in 1759, showing how confident he was in his alcoholic drink. Today, the alcoholic drink boasts over $2.6 billion sales.
Read more: It was made in Ireland, so read our 5 reasons why Guinness tastes BETTER in Ireland
13. Whiskey Distilling Apparatus – significant development in distilling
In 1830, Aeneas Coffey introduced the first heat-exchange device in the world. This apparatus led to significant developments in distilling.
12. Guided Missile – same man that invented the helicopter
The guided missile was invented by Louis Brennan. It was used as a coastline defensive mechanism. Louis Brennan also invented the first helicopter. His prototype was launched in 1925, but it crashed and burnt.
11. Ejector Seat – adapted by the RAF
There were previous versions of ejector seats, but it was Sir James Martin’s invention that allowed pilots to eject from planes that moved at high speeds. The first live test of his ejector seat occurred in July 1946 and it was a success.
An explosion blew away the cockpit and a second blast pushed the pilot out of the plane that allowed him to parachute to safety. Martin’s idea was approved by the RAF and within a year, the whole RAF fleet had been installed with ejector seats.
10. Hypodermic Syringe – first subcutaneous injection used by an Irish doctor
The first subcutaneous injection in the world was performed by Francis Rynd using a hypodermic syringe he made on his own. The Dublin doctor has been treating a patient who had been suffering from pain in her face for years. The women was taking morphine pills, but not getting any result.
Rynd decided to put the morphine directly under the patient’s skin and close to the nerves. He made a narrow tube and a trocar, a cutting implement. Rynd created 4 puncture holds and the morphine poured through the tubes.
9. Flavoured Crisps – one of the top Irish inventions that changed the world
Joseph ‘Spud’ Murphy was the man behind crisps and Tayto. Before his invention, the only flavour of crisp available was salt.
After several experiments, he created three crisp flavours – salt & vinegar, cheese & onion and barbecue. His invention changed crisps and companies from different parts of the world have since replicated his work.
8. Submarine – changed the face of deep sea exploration
John Philip Holland has changed the way deep sea exploration could be conducted and the way war could be done at sea. Holland’s first prototype sank on its very first voyage.
In 1881, he launched Fenian Ram and it was a success. He won three competitions held by the US Naval Department to design and construct submarines. After successful tests, the US Navy bought its first submarine Holland VII and continued to purchase six more.
NEXT PAGE: INVENTIONS 7-1
Irish people have created some of the most important inventions we are benefiting from today. Here are fifteen of the most influential Irish inventions.
From colour photography to rubber soles and submarines, Ireland has created its fair share of inventions that have changed the world.
And for such a small place, the Emerald Isle’s genius inventions have changed and shaped the world we live in in radically more ways that we could ever realise.
Want to find out how? Have a read below of 15 Irish inventions that changed the world.
Meanwhile in Ireland’s top facts about Irish inventions that changed the world
- Irish engineer John Phillip Holland is credited with developing and crediting the first successful submarine. He patented his concept way back in 1881.
- Another late 19th century invention, Irish physicist John Joly created the Joly Colour process which helped to establish coloured photography.
- The 1860s witnessed the invention of the first working naval torpedo, made by Robert Whitehead, who was born in Ireland.
- Whiskey is adored in Ireland and it is no wonder! Whiskey distillation and production has been taking place in Ireland since the 15th century.
- Portable defibrillator’s are now one of the most important pieces of emergency medical equipment, and Irish doctor Dr. Diarmuid Hudsmith helped develop it.
15. Induction Coil – still used by car ignitions
Rev Nicholas Callan was responsible for the induction coil. He wrapped 2 long wires around the end of an electromagnet. The ends of one wire were then connected to a battery.
When he interrupted or inhibited the current from the battery, he got a spark from the end of the other unconnected coil. The induction coil was born. Car ignitions today still use his invention.
14. Guinness – a pint of the Black Stuff
Guinness is the most popular and successful export of Ireland. Arthur Guinness started brewing the best-selling alcoholic drink of all time in Leixlip, County Kildare before moving to St. James’s Gate Brewery.
Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year contract in 1759, showing how confident he was in his alcoholic drink. Today, the alcoholic drink boasts over $2.6 billion sales.
Read more: It was made in Ireland, so read our 5 reasons why Guinness tastes BETTER in Ireland
13. Whiskey Distilling Apparatus – significant development in distilling
In 1830, Aeneas Coffey introduced the first heat-exchange device in the world. This apparatus led to significant developments in distilling.
12. Guided Missile – same man that invented the helicopter
The guided missile was invented by Louis Brennan. It was used as a coastline defensive mechanism. Louis Brennan also invented the first helicopter. His prototype was launched in 1925, but it crashed and burnt.
11. Ejector Seat – adapted by the RAF
There were previous versions of ejector seats, but it was Sir James Martin’s invention that allowed pilots to eject from planes that moved at high speeds. The first live test of his ejector seat occurred in July 1946 and it was a success.
An explosion blew away the cockpit and a second blast pushed the pilot out of the plane that allowed him to parachute to safety. Martin’s idea was approved by the RAF and within a year, the whole RAF fleet had been installed with ejector seats.
10. Hypodermic Syringe – first subcutaneous injection used by an Irish doctor
The first subcutaneous injection in the world was performed by Francis Rynd using a hypodermic syringe he made on his own. The Dublin doctor has been treating a patient who had been suffering from pain in her face for years. The women was taking morphine pills, but not getting any result.
Rynd decided to put the morphine directly under the patient’s skin and close to the nerves. He made a narrow tube and a trocar, a cutting implement. Rynd created 4 puncture holds and the morphine poured through the tubes.
9. Flavoured Crisps – one of the top Irish inventions that changed the world
Joseph ‘Spud’ Murphy was the man behind crisps and Tayto. Before his invention, the only flavour of crisp available was salt.
After several experiments, he created three crisp flavours – salt & vinegar, cheese & onion and barbecue. His invention changed crisps and companies from different parts of the world have since replicated his work.
8. Submarine – changed the face of deep sea exploration
John Philip Holland has changed the way deep sea exploration could be conducted and the way war could be done at sea. Holland’s first prototype sank on its very first voyage.
In 1881, he launched Fenian Ram and it was a success. He won three competitions held by the US Naval Department to design and construct submarines. After successful tests, the US Navy bought its first submarine Holland VII and continued to purchase six more.
NEXT PAGE: INVENTIONS 7-1
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