Happy Australia Day- Us Aussie are a clever bunch!
Happy Australia day!
Yes we are quite an innovative bunch of people! Let’s look at some of the clever creations to come out of this great southern land. We bet you didn’t know half of them!
1. The Refrigerator – James Harrison created the first ice making machine and refrigerator in Geelong 1856. As we raise a cold glass this Australia day we’ll say Cheers to James!
2. Solar Hot Water – We can thank a CSIRO team lead by Roger N Morse for developing this environmentally friendly way of heating water back in 1953.
3. Power Board – Although never patented by Kambrook, their employee Peter Talbot invented the multiple socket electrical power board for powering multiple devices from one power point. Developed in 1972 and now used all over the world.
4. Dual Flush toilet – 1980 saw the release of the dual flush cistern by Caroma. Their employee Bruce Thompson devised a way to save thousands of litres of precious water with the creation of a button for number ones and another larger flush for number twos! Genius!
5. WIFI – Although the wifi trademark is owned by an American company, it was the good people of the CSIRO once again who in 1992 patented a way to “unsmear” radio waves that echo off indoor surfaces.
6. Revolution Shower – The world’s most adjustable shower! This Australian patented design requires no drilling or adhesives and will suit any shower. The rail system can also rotate high or low. Guaranteed to suit people of all heights
7. The Esky - Created in the 1940s by the Sydney-run company Malleys, the Esky was the first portable cooler in the world.
8. Zinc cream - Notoriously worn by cricket players, the white cream was first invented by the Adelaide based pharmaceutical company Fauldings in 1940.
9. Stubby holders - This stubby’ shaped bottle cooler was invented in the 1980s. The styrofoam or wet suit material strip was adapted to the Australian lifestyle, used to insulate beer cans and keep them cool.
10. Ugg boots - Originally a sock-like sheepskin boot, Uggs were used by surfers in Bondi to warm their feet after the surf. Who would have thunk it! This classic Aussie footwear can be traced back to the 1930s.
11. Cork hat - This hat is another classic Australian invention. With corks attached by strings, they were designed to keep the flies away from jackaroos in the outback, and today remain an international symbol for Aussies.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST….
12. The tradies best friend - The electric drill!
Melbourne City Council's first electrical engineer, Arthur James Arnot, patented the world's first electric drill in 1889. However, wasn't the nifty handyman-sized drill, it was designed primarily for excavating oil and coal.