From the men who invented practical devices such as light bulbs and safety lamps to the women who created the ice cream machine and made remarkable medical advancements, we’ve rounded up a list of 68 phenomenal inventors. Join us as we take a look at the incredible artists, inventors, scientists, and doctors who have changed the face of history and made our lives a whole lot easier!
1. Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci really did it all! He was a scientist, artist, architect, inventor, and engineer! Apart from his artwork, da Vinci is also well known for his sketches that capture the brilliance of his ideas in science and technology. One of his aerial sketches is even thought to have contributed to the later invention of the helicopter!
Learn More: Da Vinci Inventions
2. Thomas Edison
American inventor Thomas Edison is best known for his invention of the light bulb. In 1879 he created a long-burning carbon filament that would later be named the light bulb. When working on improving the telephone and the telegraph in 1887, he also invented the phonograph by figuring out a way to record sound on tinfoil cylinders.
Learn More: Thought Co.
3. Alexander Graham Bell
Before Thomas Edison’s light bulb, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. Bell’s invention directly resulted from his efforts to improve the telegraph and revolutionized communication by allowing people to transmit speech electronically.
Learn More: Thought Co.
4. Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla didn’t receive much credit for his inventions, but we can credit him for a number of our modern-day machines. Tesla is responsible for inventing the alternating current, the electric motor, and even remote-controlled boats!
Learn More: Smithsonian Mag
5. The Montgolfier Brothers
If you’ve ever flown in a hot air balloon, you have the Montgolfier brothers to thank! The idea first occurred to Joseph Montgolfier in 1782 as he sat in front of his fireplace and wondered what caused the smoke and sparks to rise. The first hot air balloon was then built of silk and lined with paper before taking flight in June 1783.
Learn More: Thales
6. Robert Fulton
When he made his debut in the working world, Robert Fulton was regarded as a great artist. It wasn’t until his interest in steam engines drew him into the world of invention that his first great creation was born. In 1807, this interest led to Fulton’s invention of the first commercial steamboat.
Learn More: Lancaster Online
7. Louis Daguerre
Louis Daguerre worked as a professional scene painter for the opera. While using camera obscura to paint large backdrops, he created the daguerreotype. This important invention was the first widely available photographic process that would later lead to modern photography.
Learn More: Gallery Intell
8. Archimedes
Archimedes was a famed Greek mathematician and inventor. Without his designs, life as we know it would be very different. He was the first person to realize the power of the lever and used this knowledge to invent the first heavy-duty pulley system as well as the screw.
Learn More: Britannica Kids
9. Humphry Davy
Humphry Davy was a renowned scientist and chemist. He is responsible for isolating a wide array of chemical elements, including potassium and sodium. He also realized the anesthetic properties of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and was part of the team that discovered boron.
Learn More: Britannica Kids
10. Johannes Gutenberg
Between 1440 and 1450, Johannes Gutenberg worked hard to create and perfect the first printing press. His first invention only printed 250 pages an hour, and the letters had to be moved around in the machine in order to print new words. Imagine if that was still the case for all the printing that goes on today!
Learn More: The Sun
11. Marie Curie
This amazing woman was the first scientist to win two Nobel prizes and the only one to win in two different categories: physics and chemistry! Marie Curie discovered radium and polonium and invented the theory of radioactivity. Her work has made important advancements in finding treatments for cancer.
Learn More: Book Trust
12. Nancy Johnson
The next time you enjoy an ice cream on a hot summer’s day, think of Nancy Johnson! In 1843, Nancy created the hand-operated ice cream machine, and thanks to her the world has been enjoying delicious frozen treats ever since!
Learn More: JAMS
13. Maria Telkes
Solar power has made huge strides in recent years, but it was Maria Telkes who, in 1947, first created a thermoelectric power generator. Applying this technology, she went on to design the first solar heating system and thermoelectric refrigerator- enabling a 100% solar-powered house!
Learn More: One
14. Margaret E. Knight
Margaret Knight is most noteworthy for her invention of the machine that made the creation of paper bags possible, and had to go to court to prove this idea belonged to her! She designed over 100 machines during the course of her career but only patented 20 of them. Some of these include; a shoe-cutting machine, a window frame with a sash, and even a rotary engine!
Learn More: A Mighty Girl
15. Josephine Cochrane
Josephine Cochrane is responsible for the ingenious invention that makes cleaning our kitchens that much easier! She developed the idea for the mechanical dishwasher that used a pressurized spray of water to clean dishes. Josephine received her patent in 1886 and began marketing dishwashers to large hotels before launching them as a household necessity in 1893.
Learn More: A Mighty Girl
16. Dr. Shirley Jackson
Dr. Shirley Jackson is at the heart of the invention of fiber optic communications. She also happens to be the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Jackson’s telecommunication research led to other inventions like fiber optic cables. You can also thank her for helping create caller ID and call waiting on mobile phones!
Learn More: Blue Host
17. Patricia Era Bath
Patricia Bath invented the laser phaco probe- a medical device still in use to this very day! Her invention helps doctors on a global scale remove cataracts in a fast and pain-free manner. Without this invention, many more cataract patients would have experienced blindness.
Learn More: Blue Host
18. Tabitha Babbitt
One might not think much of a typical weaver worker, but Tabitha Babbitt is the woman responsible for revolutionizing the wood-cutting industry. Babbitt attached a circular blade to her spinning wheel, and in doing so, invented the more efficient circular saw!
Learn More: USA Today
19. Ellen Fitz
Thanks to Ellen Fitz, the study of geography changed forever! In 1875, while working as a tutor in Canada, Ms. Fitz invented a globe mount that could show the earth’s daily and annual orbit around the sun!
Learn More: USA Today
20. Maria Beasley
Maria Beasley’s invention has saved countless lives throughout the years. Her ideas revolutionized the common life raft from a simple plank to a more safety-conscious device. Beasley designed an emergency raft that was fireproof and easily foldable for storage. She even added guard rails to ensure that passengers were safer during passage!
Learn More: Invention Land
21. Henry Ford
We can’t delve into the greatest inventors without mentioning Henry Ford! Ford invented the assembly line that helped make building cars more efficient and used this process to manufacture the famous Model T Ford. By 1918, because of its inexpensive construction and ease of use, more than half the cars in the United States were Model T’s!
Learn More: The Henry Ford
22. Samuel Morse
Along with the telegraph, Samuel Morse was responsible for inventing the Morse code. Morse code is represented by a series of dots, spaces, and dashes that symbolize various letters, numerals, and punctuation. In 1844, he used this system for the first time across long distances by sending a message from Baltimore to Washington!
Learn More: Education To The Core
23. Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney’s ingenious invention of the cotton gin made separating seeds from cotton possible. He received his patent in 1794 before revolutionizing the cotton industry by inventing methods of mass production. This efficient technique was used to turn fibers into fabric for sheets, clothing, and more!
Learn More: Education To The Core
24. Wilhelm Rontgen
This inventor was experimenting with a vacuum when he discovered what is now known as the X-ray! In 1895, Professor Wilhelm Rontgen was conducting experiments when he discovered a ray that could create radiographic images. This led to the modern X-ray machine and to Rontgen receiving the Nobel Prize in physics!
Learn More: The Archive
25. Jeronimo de Ayanz y Beaumont
Jeronimo Beaumont’s inventions were mostly tied to the mining industry. One of his most noteworthy creations was the steam-powered water pump that helped drain flooded mines. Beyond the mining industry, he also designed an assortment of windmills, a diving suit, and even a simple submarine!
Learn More: YouTube
26. George Washington Carver
As well as being an inventor, George Carver had a flair for botany and chemistry. Throughout his career, he managed to invent over 300 products using mainly peanut components. Together with Tuskegee University, he also helped develop alternative crop rotation and cash crop methods.
Learn More: Teach Thought
27. George Eastman
George Eastman invented the Kodak camera, helping bring photography and the ability to capture memories to the masses. He enlisted the help of a chemist named Henry Reichenbach, and together they invented a roll of transparent film that could be directly inserted into cameras.
Learn More: Eastman
28. Jesse Langsdorf
Although neckties have been traced back to the 17th century, Jesse Lagsdorf was an American tailor who first patented a tie-making process in 1924. He discovered that by cutting the fabric on the bias, the ties had more stretch and no longer curled up when worn.
Learn More: Paste Magazine
29. Earle Dickson
Earle Dickson is responsible for one of the most practical medical inventions – the band-aid! The invention first came about when Dickson wanted to help his accident-prone wife who kept nicking her fingers in the kitchen. He created the first band-aid from a piece of sterile gauze that he stuck onto a strip of surgical tape.
Learn More: Lemelson MIT
30. Elias Howe
This invention has made a huge difference for seamstresses around the world! During the second industrial revolution, Elias Howe created the sewing machine. His invention gave way to large textile manufacturers and enabled seamstresses to work more efficiently than by merely hand-stitching textiles as they had before.
Learn more: Study.Com
31. Mary Anderson
Mary Anderson is the woman responsible for the invention of windshield wipers. After realizing how unsafe it was to drive in bad weather conditions, she devised a mechanism that maneuvered a rubber blade across the windshield. In 1922, Cadillac was the first company to include her invention in their vehicles.
Learn More: Invention Land
32. Katherine Burr Blodgett
In 1938, physicist and chemist Katherine Burr Blodgett patented durable non-reflective or “invisible” glass. The invention was made possible through the use of a soapy film-like coating to control the amount of light that could be blocked. Her invention gave way to retail displays, eyeglasses, picture frame glasses, and TV screens!
Learn More: Smithsonian Magazine
33. Katsuko Saruhashi
Years before climate issues were at the forefront of our news, the remarkable Katsuko Saruhasi discovered a method to measure the levels of carbon dioxide in seawater. Her approach, now a global standard, used temperature, chlorinity, and pH. Sarauhashi also formed part of the whistleblowing team that noted the nuclear contamination of our oceans.
Learn More: Smithsonian Magazine
34. Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr, also nicknamed the “Mother of Wi-Fi,” was a beautiful actress who was also an inventor! She worked with George Antheil to devise the radio wave frequency hopping system to guide torpedoes to find targets while staying on course, and avoiding interception. This technology is still in use in GPS and Wi-Fi systems today!
Learn More: Digital Trends
35. Gertrude Belle Elion
Another scientist who made a huge impact on medical discoveries is Gertrude Belle Elion! Together with a fellow scientist, she discovered a compound known as 2-amino-6-mercaptopurine that was used to treat leukemia. She was also part of the teams that created additional drugs used to treat gout and other infections.
Learn More: Digital Trends
36. Melitta Bentz
Now this inventor knew about the importance of coffee! Betz was a German housewife who was frustrated with using a cloth to filter coffee grounds. She revolutionized the coffee-making process by using paper from her son’s notebook to create a paper filter. After receiving her patent for this invention, Betz later founded her business which still exists today!
Learn More: Europeana
37. Stephanie Kwolek
In 1965 Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, a stiff synthetic fiber known for its durability. While working at DuPont, Kwolek accidentally found a chemical compound leading to its discovery. Kevlar is used in everything from military helmets to sports equipment and work gloves!
Learn More: Science History
38. Jocelyn Bell Burnell
In 1967, Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered pulsars – rapid, regular signals emitted from stars rotating at astounding speeds. Unfortunately, the prize for her discovery was given to the male members of her team – an action that angered her female colleagues, but one that she took in stride.
Learn more: Iberdrola
39. Lise Meitner
Lisa Meitner first coined the phrase “nuclear fission” in her scientific paper, but the prize for the study was awarded to the male participants of this research. Although nominated for the Nobel prize 48 times, she never won; many suspect this was due to her opposition to using fission in the creation of weapons.
Learn More: Iberdrola
40. Ann Lambrechts
This inventor revolutionized the way that structures are built! Ann Lambrechts transformed the typical makeup of concrete by inventing what is known as Dramix – a mixture of wet concrete and steel fibers. Dramix is said to be cheaper than typical concrete creation and provides better crack control as well as easier handling.
Learn More: Grey B
41. Edwin Beard Budding
In 1930, Edwin Beard Budding invented the world’s first lawnmower, The wrought iron machine was a total of 19 inches wide and was primarily used to cut grass on sports fields and to maintain vast gardens.
Learn More: New York Times
42. Otto von Geuricke
This inventor lived during the Thirty Years War, but still managed to make significant scientific contributions! Otto von Guericke’s most noteworthy discovery was the vacuum pump. He went on to host a number of demonstrations and conducted experiments based on the properties and weight of air.
Learn More: Famous Scientists
43. Helen Lee
Helen Lee is the inventor of the SAMBA blood diagnostic kit which provides instant diagnoses to detect infectious diseases like COVID-19, HIV, and Hepatitis B. Her invention was specifically designed for use within the African continent, where 69% of the world’s HIV-positive population lives.
Learn More: Epo.org
44. Martha Jane Conston
Based on the work of her late husband, Martha Jane Conston developed a practical colored flare signaling system in 1859. She received a patent for her work, and colored flares could then be used by ships to signal one another.
Learn More: ESME
45. Felix Hoffmann
Felix Hoffman created aspirin in an attempt to help his father who suffered from rheumatism. He also discovered heroin which was used to alleviate the pain of Tuberculosis and childbirth until it was later banned as an addictive substance in 1925.
Learn More: BBVA Open Mind
46. Wallace Carothers
This renowned chemist created one of the most durable and widely used fabrics around today- nylon! This synthetic polymer, introduced in 1935, became widely popular due to its strength and elasticity. From stockings to ropes and parachutes, this invention has definitely had a lasting impact on the textile industry!
Learn More: BBVA Openmind
47. Amar Bose
The next time you listen to music, think of Amar Bose – the brains behind high-fidelity sound systems! Known for enhancing the audio experience for millions, his innovative ideas led to the creation of the Bose Corporation in 1964. His company now produces some of the most sought-after speakers and headphones in the world.
Learn More: Bose
48. Jack Kilby
Jack Kilby’s invention laid the groundwork for the modern computer age! In 1958 he developed a tiny device known as the integrated circuit, or microchip. This invention paved the way for advancements in electronics, ultimately leading to the development of personal computers, smartphones, and countless other devices.
Learn More: ESMoA
49. Alfred Nobel
Did you know that the man behind the Nobel Prize was also an accomplished inventor? Alfred Nobel had 355 different patents but is most well-known for inventing dynamite, which he discovered in 1867. Dynamite was a safer alternative to nitroglycerin and transformed industries like construction and demolition.
Learn More: Nobel Prize
50. Frank Whittle
Frank Whittle’s early career as a test pilot for a fighter squadron went a long way in inspiring his ideas for a jet plane! Whittle was an English engineer who is credited for the invention of the jet engine in the 1930s. His vision for aircraft powered by jet propulsion revolutionized the aviation industry, leading to faster and more efficient travel!
Learn More: YouTube
51. Igor Sikorsky
The next time you hear a chopper, think of Igor Sikorsky! Sikorsky’s ingenuity gave birth to the modern helicopter in 1939. His passion for aviation, combined with his inventive genius, resulted in the creation of machines that could take off and land vertically which was practically unheard of at the time!
Learn More: Connecticut History
52. Rosalind Franklin
When three men gave their acceptance speech for the 1962 Nobel Prize, one contributor was left out – Rosalind Franklin! Rosalind’s work on X-ray diffraction was pivotal in shaping how we understand the molecular structure of DNA. Her photographs of DNA paved the way for the discovery of the double helix structure!
Learn More: Rejected Princesses
53. Emile Berliner
The booming music industry would not be the same without Emile Berliner’s invention! In the 1890s, Emile invented the gramophone which transformed the way people enjoyed music forever. His flat disc recording system made it easier to produce and distribute music, ushering in a new era of audio entertainment.
Learn More: Britannica
54. Philo Farnsworth
The next time you settle down in front of the TV, you’ve got Philo Farnsworth to thank! This American inventor was celebrated for his pioneering work in the development of the television. In the 1920s, he was able to transmit moving pictures via electronic means, laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most influential inventions of the 20th century.
Learn More: Thought Co
55. Florence Parpart
This is an invention that you probably use every day! Florence Parpart won a patent in 1914 for her electric refrigerator design. Unlike previous models, her refrigerator was more compact and efficient, revolutionizing food storage and preservation in households around the world!
Learn More: Ramsgate Arts Primary School
56. Raymond Damadian
The world of medical imaging was forever changed by Raymond Damadian! In the 1970s, Damadian invented the Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, or what is more commonly known as an MRI machine. This non-invasive diagnostic tool has since become crucial in detecting and diagnosing various health conditions.
Learn More: YouTube
57. Sir Tim Berners-Lee
Can you even imagine a world without the internet? In 1989, while working at CERN, Sir Tim proposed a global hypertext project that would later evolve into the World Wide Web that we use today.
Learn More: The Telegraph
58. James Clerk Maxwell
This Scottish scientist was not only a mathematician but also a groundbreaking inventor! James Clerk Maxwell formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, which wasn’t actually successfully proven until 8 years after Maxwell’s death! His equations paved the way for many modern-day technologies including radio, television, and radar.
Learn More: Space
59. Ruth Handler
This inventor revolutionized doll-playing forever! Ruth Handler noticed a gap in the market for a more mature doll for girls, and in 1959, she invented the famous Barbie doll. This iconic toy changed the industry forever and continues to influence doll-making to this day.
Learn More: Vanity Fair
60. Charles Babbage
This is another inventor who has made a huge impact on life as we know it! Referred to as the “father of the computer,” Charles Babbage conceptualized and designed the first mechanical computer, called the Analytical Engine. His invention has come a long way since then, with many other inventors adapting his work to get it where it is today!
Learn More: UMN-CSE
61. Percy L. Spencer
Ever wonder how the microwave oven was invented? Percy L. Spencer was testing a magnetron when he discovered, much to his surprise, that a candy bar in his pocket had melted! This discovery led to his invention of the microwave oven, a household appliance that is widely used in today’s kitchens!
Learn More: Mass Moments
62. Emmy Noether
This brilliant German mathematician was ahead of her time as she paved the way for advanced theories in physics. While Emmy Noether’s theorem, linking symmetries in nature with conserved quantities in physics, isn’t really considered to be an “invention” in the traditional sense, the implications on theoretical physics are undeniable!
Learn More: New Scientist
63. Benjamin Franklin
This Founding Father of the United States was so much more than just a political figure! Benjamin Franklin was also an accomplished inventor, who was responsible for creations such as the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove! His curiosity and experimental nature are still benefiting people today over 200 years later!
Learn More: History
64. Grace Hopper
Another woman who was a pioneer in computer programming was Grace Hopper! She was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer and developed the first compiler for a computer programming language. Let’s give it up for this amazing lady!
Learn More: Lottie Dolls
65. Alessandro Volta
Can you imagine life without batteries? Thanks to Alessandro Volta, we don’t have to! He invented the first chemical battery in 1800 called the voltaic pile which our modern batteries are based on!
Learn More: YouTube
66. Lonnie Johnson
Thanks to Lonnie Johnson, playtime became a lot more fun! This inventive engineer developed the Super Soaker, a staple of water fights on hot summer days, all over the world! Beyond toys, Lonnie Johnson actually has over 80 patents and has worked on various projects for NASA, including the Galileo mission to Jupiter!
Learn More: BBC
67. Clarence Birdseye
Do you enjoy frozen veggies or fruits? Clarence Birdseye is the reason why this food phenomenon is possible! In the 1920s, he developed a quick-freeze machine that preserved the freshness and taste of perishable foods. And so the frozen food industry was born!
Learn More: Mental Floss
68. Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace has often been referred to as the world’s first computer programmer! While she spent time working with Charles Babbage on the Analytical Engine, she realized that this invention had uses well beyond just performing calculations. Her notes are now recognized as the earliest instance of a computer algorithm being written!
Learn More: JSTOR Daily
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