Italian Inventions

The pasta strainer, or scolapasta, holds a distinguished place in every Italian kitchen: how would we do without it?  As you may expect, it was invented in Italy but, unlike many other national inventions, we don’t have a precise name …

The history of mirrors dates back thousands of years, when our ancestors would use natural bodies of water, like lakes and ponds, as the first reflective surfaces, intrigued by their own images seen in these transient reflections. Curiosity led to experimentation with …

The hydrofoil is a type of fast watercraft that rises above the water on wing-like foils as it gains speed, reducing drag and allowing for higher speeds. This innovative vessel was invented by Italian engineer Enrico Forlanini, whose work significantly …

Tinned tuna is a pantry staple found in kitchens around the world, valued for its convenience, versatility, and nutritional benefits. Its invention can be traced back to the innovative efforts of the Florio family in Sicily, a name that has …

Gambling was a pervasive aspect of Venetian life, reflecting the city’s wealth and status as a major cultural and trade hub. In Venice, everyone gambled everywhere: people engaged in games of chance in private homes, public squares, and during festivals, …

The Etruscans and ancient Romans were early pioneers in the development of dentures. They crafted early dental prosthetics from various materials, including human and animal teeth. Ancient dentures were designed to replace missing teeth and were likely more for aesthetic …

We all had pretzels at least once in our lives, but how many among us know they have Italian roots? Legend has it that pretzels, one of the world’s oldest baked snacks, originated in 7th-century Italy in the Aosta Valley, …

Did you know that the first shopping mall was built in ancient Rome? We are talking about Trajan’s Market.  Built around 110 AD, it was a significant architectural achievement for its time: made of red brick and concrete, it originally …

The invention of radar, an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging, is a key development in technology with significant military and civilian applications. While radar’s development was a collaborative effort involving many scientists and countries, the foundational work of our …

We all know that life jackets are a crucial device for water safety, but not many among un may be aware that their origins are ancient and … Italian. The concept of buoyancy aids can be traced back to ancient …