by johnfb » Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:42 pm
We have been responsible for many other things, leaving out guinness
The Submarine
The Harpoon Gun
The Atom Bomb (also developed (at least, indirectly) by an Irishman, Ernest Walton of Dungarvan in Co. Waterford)
The Hypodermic Syringe
Shorthand Writing
The Armoured Tank
The Aircraft Ejector Seat
Soda Water
The Monorail
Colour Photography
St Brendan discovered America many years before colombus
B663 - A medical compound that led to a treatment for leprosy.
The Beaufort Scale - A 13-point wind force scale, invented by Sir Francis Beaufort, that was adopted by the British Navy in 1838.
The first guided missle - A torpedo-like devise, which was used as an early coastal defense mechanism.
High speed photography - Was pioneered by Lucien Bull in order to view images in slow motion. Bull also patented an improved version of the electrocardiogram (ECG).
Induction coil - Invented by Rev. Nicholas Callan in 1836, and is still used today.
Self-extracting dynamo - Another invention by Callan, this time in 1838. Like the Induction Coil, it is still in use today.
Heat-exchange device - Invented in 1830 by Aeneas Coffey, a very efficient apparatus that led to many advances in whiskey distilling.
Nasal tube feeding technique for premature babies - Pioneered by Robert Collis, who also invented a simple, but affordable incubator for premature babies.
Tea-drying equipment - Invented by Sir Samuel Davidson.
Forward bladed centrifugal fan - Another invention by Davidson.
Handheld Howitzer gun - Yet another Davidson invention (and in my opinion, the coolest! lol)
Nickel-zinc rechargable battery - Invented by Dr James Drumm in 1930 and was successfully tested on a train in 1931.
The Ferguson plough system - Revolutionised farming when it was invented by Harry Ferguson in 1926. Ferguson (nicknamed the 'mad mechanic') also designed and built his own motorcycle, racing car and plane, and he became the first Irishman to fly in 1909.
Saccharimeter - a device used to measure the sugar content of liquids.
Meldometer - used for measuring the melting points of minerals.
Steam Calorimeter - used for measuring specific heats.
Photometer - used for measuring light intensity.
Kyanisation - an early technique of wood presivation, invented by John Kyan in 1832, which is still used today.
Binaural (double earpiece) stethoscope - Invented by Athur Leared in 1851.
Seismology - Pioneered by Robert Mallet in 1851 by using dynamite explosions to measure the speed of elastic waves in surface rock.
Mitchell Screwpile & Mooring - Invented by blind engineer Alexander Mitchell, this is a simple, yet effective means of constructing durable lighthouses and ship moorings in deep water, mud banks and shifting sands.
Direct steam turbine - used vapourised water to power a rotor directly, as opposed to driving pistons. This not only spurred further developments in powering ships, but also in generating electricity.
Hypodermic syringe - Invented by Francis Rynd, who administered the world's first subcutaneous injection at the Meath Hospital.
Caterpillar tracks - Invented by John Walker to assist him in transporting logs over rough terrain to his saw mills.