You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “so easy that a kid could do it”. Well, sometimes that phrase can be a bit inaccurate. Sometimes it takes the creative mind of a child to come up with something new and fresh that an adult simply couldn’t fathom. Needless to say–inventing something new is never easy, so maybe we should put that saying to rest.
Throughout history, there have been a multitude of items and objects, used daily, that were invented by children. Today, we’re going to take a look at a handful of those awesome inventions and commemorate the gifted young minds that invented them!
Image source: iStock
1. Popsicles
In 1905, an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson invented the popsicle. Surprised? So was he! As the story goes, Frank left a cup of powdered soda, water and a stirring stick outside one cold night and awoke to find the worlds first frozen treat on a stick. At first, he tested the name “Eppsicle” before settling on the now famous name. He acquired the patent in 1923, and his invention has since been a huge impact on the dessert world.
2. Trampolines
16-year-old gymnast and diver George Nissen created the first trampoline in 1930. Amazingly enough, the young man crafted the first trampoline by using only materials he found in a junkyard! Initially, he stretched canvas over a steel frame. Later, with the help of his college gymnastics coach, he replaced canvas with nylon. The rest, as they say, is history!
3. Ear Muffs
In the 1870s, a 15-year-old from Maine (USA) named Chester Greenwood was bothered by the firgid temperatures of the northern United States. Moreover, he was annoyed by how the cold weather affected his sensitive ears. Greenwood asked his grandmother to sew fur onto a two-loop wire he’d made. Some time after, the young man received a patent and made a final model for the ear protectors. To this day, December 21 is known as “Chester Greenwood Day” in Maine.
4. Braille
In 1812, 3-year-old Louis Braille was severely injured and–as an unfortunate result–he lost his vision. In his teen years, he spent time studying in Paris’ National Institute for Blind Youth in Paris. There he designed a system using raised dots in specific patterns to aid in reading. The first Braille book was released in 1829, and in 1837 Louis added symbols for math and music. Braille has since been adapted for nearly every single language on the planet.
5. Early iterations of TV
There’s no single entity credited with inventing television. In fact, several contributors are often credited; among those credited is Philo T. Farnsworth. In 1921, the 15-year-old had the sketches, diagrams and notes to make an electronic television system. By the time Farnsworth was 21, he had transmitted his first electronic image and held the earliest public demonstration of a working TV. At the time of his death in 1971, the average television set included about 100 items that he originally patented.
6. Sign language translator
In 2002, 17-year-old Ryan Patterson saw a translator order fast food for a group of deaf individuals. This led to Patterson inventing a glove with special sensors that translate the hand motions of American Sign Language into written words on a digital display!
7. The “Algae Mobile”
Just a few years back, in 2011, a 17-year-old named Param Jaggi invented a device that uses algae to convert harmful carbon dioxide from an automobile’s exhaust pipe into clean oxygen, similar to as it would do in nature. Since inventing the incredible converter, organizations like the EPA, Intel and Forbes have recognised Jaggi for his incredible work.
8. The screening technique
16-year-old Janet Song and her 15-year-old brother Benjamin, back in 2009, sought out new ways to detect cancer in a less invasive fashion. They developed a system for analysing urine for DNA markers associated with liver, colon and other cancers before more pronounced symptoms occur. IT’s still not used clinically, but theoretically, could save millions of lives worldwide.
9. Fire prevention devices
In 2011, Paul Hyman, a 17-year-old high school senior/volunteer fire fighter invented a sensor in dryers to detect when lint is in danger of catching fire, releasing carbon dioxide to put out potential flames. He also created a tiny infrared camera for firefighter masks to help see through thick smoke and flames. Hyman currently runs a fire safety business in his dorm room; he’s fully funded by his school, Clarkson University.
This article was based on a post originally shared by Mom.Me
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