5 Inventors You’ve Never Heard Of Who Shaped The World
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Innovation is often celebrated with grand gestures and the spotlight focused on famous names. But behind many everyday objects we rely on, there are unsung heroes whose inventions may not be widely known. These innovators may not have achieved the fame of household names like Thomas Edison or Nikola Tesla, but their contributions are just as vital to our daily lives.
With the simple household items and groundbreaking technologies, the impact of these inventors is profound. Here’s a look at five innovators you may not have heard of, but whose creations are deeply woven into our lives.a
Joseph Friedman
When you grab a milkshake or soda, you probably don’t think twice about the bendable straw that makes drinking it easier. But in 1937, Joseph Friedman revolutionized the drinking experience for many people, especially children, who struggled to drink from a straight straw. Friedman, watching his daughter at a soda shop, saw the challenge she faced when trying to reach a milkshake with a traditional straight straw.
Inspired by this observation, he created the bendable straw—a simple, yet ingenious invention. Friedman inserted a screw into the straw and wrapped it with floss to create a ribbed texture. Once the screw was removed, the straw naturally bent, solving the problem of drinking from a tall glass.
His design, patented in 1937, would go on to be used in everything from milkshakes to juice boxes, with billions of bendable straws sold worldwide. What began as a small solution to a child’s dilemma became a global phenomenon, making our everyday drinking experience much easier.
Ernie Fraze
Have you ever cracked open a soda or beer with a simple tab? That small, convenient design is all thanks to Ernie Fraze, a mechanical engineer who forever changed the way we consume canned beverages. In 1959, Fraze was at a picnic and found himself struggling with a beverage can that had no way of being opened.
Frustrated, he used the bumper of his car to crack open the can. This sparked an idea that would ultimately lead to the creation of the “pop-top” can. Fraze’s invention was revolutionary because it made opening cans easier and more convenient for everyone.
The pull-tab can became standard for soft drinks and beer in the 1960s, and by 1980, Fraze’s company was pulling in over $500 million in revenue annually. While we take the pop-top for granted today, it was a game-changer in the world of packaging.
Stanford Ovshinsky
Stanford Ovshinsky’s innovations had a profound effect on everything from energy storage to the way we interact with modern devices. Known for his forward-thinking approach to technology, Ovshinsky was responsible for over 400 patents during his lifetime. His groundbreaking work in the development of energy-efficient technologies helped pave the way for many modern inventions, including solar panels, rechargeable batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells.
Ovshinsky’s contributions were instrumental in the creation of the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, which powers everything from electric cars to smartphones. He also played a key role in developing the flat-screen liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that are now ubiquitous in modern televisions and computers.
His innovations in renewable energy continue to impact efforts toward a more sustainable future, as his technologies have been adopted worldwide in the fight against climate change.
Margaret Knight
Paper bags are a staple in grocery stores, but few people know that their sturdy, flat-bottomed design was the brainchild of Margaret Knight. While working at a paper bag factory, Knight realized the bags being made at the time were flimsy and difficult to pack.
In 1868, she invented a machine that could fold and glue paper to create a flat-bottomed, reinforced bag—an idea that would change the packaging industry forever.
However, her path to securing the patent was not easy. Knight’s invention was stolen by a man named Charles Annan, who applied for the patent under his name. Undeterred, Knight sued Annan, using her detailed sketches and plans as evidence. She won the case, and her patented design became the foundation for the modern paper bag. This invention not only improved the way we package goods but also provided Knight with a thriving business.
Jeff Dean
When you search for something on Google or use one of its many services, you probably don’t realize just how much complex engineering goes into making it all work seamlessly. Jeff Dean, one of the unsung heroes of the tech world, is responsible for designing and building much of Google’s core systems. Hired in 1999 when Google had just 25 employees, Dean played a pivotal role in shaping the infrastructure that powers some of the most well-known products in the world, including Google Translate.
His work focused on creating the back-end systems that allow Google to process vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently. Though he remains relatively unknown to the general public, his contributions to Google’s success are monumental. He continues to work on scaling and optimizing Google’s infrastructure, impacting millions of users around the globe.
Key Takeaways
These innovators have shaped the world in ways that we often take for granted. From the convenience of a pop-top can to the environmentally friendly technologies that power our devices, their contributions have had a lasting impact on society. Many of their inventions were born out of necessity—whether it was Ernie Fraze’s frustration with an unopenable can or Joseph Friedman’s desire to help his daughter enjoy her milkshake.
As we continue to evolve and advance, it’s important to remember the individuals whose inventions make our daily lives easier, safer, and more efficient. Innovation doesn’t always come from the most famous names, but it certainly shapes our world in profound ways.
