Italian Inventions

The invention of the calculator dates back to ancient times with tools like the abacus. However, the electronic calculator we are familiar with today came to be thanks to an Italian engineer, Pier Giorgio Perotto, and the Italian company Olivetti. The story centers around …

In the annals of automotive history, few names are as enigmatic and yet profoundly impactful as Elio Trenta,  a prodigious talent who, at the tender age of 20, patented the concept of the automatic shift—a technological marvel that would later …

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 …

Glasses, the ingenious invention that revolutionized vision correction, have a fascinating history intertwined with Italy, particularly wtih the city of Venice. While their exact origin is subject to debate, it is widely believed that the precursor to modern eyeglasses was likely …

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 …

When we think of eau de cologne, the city of Cologne in Germany often comes to mind. However, few know that this iconic fragrance was actually created by an Italian perfumer, Giovanni Maria Farina. In the early 18th century, Farina moved to …

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 story of carbon copy paper‘s invention is deeply intertwined with the innovative work of Pellegrino Turri, an Italian inventor whose contributions in the early 19th century played a pivotal role in the development of this technology. In 1801, Turri created the …

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, …

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the humble breadstick, or grissino, as it’s known in Italy? This slender, crunchy bread, a staple on Italian tables and beyond, has a pretty curious history. It all begins in the 17th century, in …