9 Incredible Inventions The World Can Thank Alabama For
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Jennifer Young
Author
It’s no secret that new inventions seem to be happening all around us. As this continues, it’s important to remember all of the past inventions that have really changed the world. Listed below are nine incredible inventions with an Alabama connection. Some of them might even surprise you.
Take a look:
Mary Anderson, a Greene County native, invented windshield wipers in 1903 after a visit to New York City. She was riding in a trolley car on a snowy night. The driver had to stop every few minutes to wipe away the slush from the window. When she returned home to Birmingham, she got a patent and tried selling her idea, however, it was rejected. When her patent expired, the auto industry began using her designs.
Alabama's George F. Kirchoff is credited with inventing the airbag, which was released in 1987. In fact, in the automotive industry, he's known as "The Father of the Airbag."
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Montrose native Miller Reese Hutchison is responsible for inventing the portable hearing aid. He received his patent in 1898, however, his hearing aid wasn't available to the public until 1902.
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Demopolis native Waldo Semon, a chemist, invented the material that's used to make vinyl (polyvinyl chloride or PVC). A few things this vinyl material is used for include pipes, shower curtains, automotive parts, and phonograph records.
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If you've ever touched one of those electrostatic balls that make your hair stand on end, chances are you were touching a Van de Graaff Generator. The person responsible for this invention, which took place in 1929, was Tuscaloosa-born Jemison Van de Graaff.
On July 20, 1969, the Saturn V, a rocket, sent the first Americans to the moon. It was designed and built at Huntsville's very own Marshall Space Flight Center.
A hydrocopter is a propeller-driven catamaran that has a boat-like hull, small wheels, and pontoon skis. It can travel on water, snow, ice, and land. It's often used for rescues. Birmingham's James W. Justis invented this incredible machine in 1954.
Huntsville native Jimmy Wales, along with Larry Sanger, invented Wikipedia, which happens to be the largest online encyclopedia. It launched in 2001.
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The Super Soaker water gun, which is one of the world's best-selling toys, was invented by Mobile native Lonnie Johnson. It was released in 1989.
Were you already aware that these inventions have an Alabama connection? If not, which ones surprised you? Please let us know in the comments.
For a list of 10 Alabama facts you might not be familiar with, be sure to take a look at the following article: 10 Amazing Alabama Secrets You Never Knew Existed.
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