INVENTIONS

Who put the ‘patent’ in ‘patent leather’?

What Exactly Is Patent Leather—And Is It Actually Patented?

The coating protected items like boots and carriage parts from wear and tear—and looked luxurious while doing so. But who invented patent leather? And does that person actually hold a patent for it?

Enjoy color photography? You have two great minds to thank for its creation.

10 Incredible Cases of Inventions Being Created Simultaneously

In most cases, only one inventor actually got the spotlight for these creations.

Karaoke is a beloved pastime (for some people).

Who Created Karaoke?

We have two innovators to thank for our ability to scream-sing Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” in front of a group of strangers.

How Thomas Edison Jr. Shamed the Family Name

Asked to evaluate his son's abilities as an intellectual, the elder Edison said that he was, “absolutely illiterate, scientifically and otherwise.”

Guitarists can boost their performance with the Voltage DaVinci from Cream.

New Color-Changing Guitar Can Update Its Look to Fit Your Music

Cream Guitars is launching a new type of instrument with e-ink technology.

This image would have made no sense prior to the 1970s.

26 Things That Are Younger Than You Think

CPR, Post-It notes, and ciabatta bread were all invented way later than you might assume.

The crescent wrench has helped DIYers for decades.

Why Is It Called a “Crescent Wrench”?

A Swedish immigrant changed the face of wrenches forever.

Can You Name the Famous Invention?

See if you know the history behind popular gadgets and inventions that made life easier.

GPS is just one thing in our daily lives originally invented for military use.

9 Everyday Things Originally Invented for the Military

From Jeeps to GPS and jerrycans, the military has fostered inventions that we use every day.

Lightning strikes over the Freedom Tower (a.k.a. One World Trade Center) in New York City.

Did Ben Franklin Really Invent the Lightning Rod?

Ben Franklin’s famous experiment with the kite and key gave him a better understanding of the nature of electricity. But did that event lead to the lightning rod?

Yves Klein: The Artist Who Invented a Color

Picasso and his Blue Period have nothing on Yves Klein, who created art almost exclusively in a shade of his own invention.

We invented jewelry (such as this ancient Egyptian beaded necklace) before we invented the wheel.

11 Inventions That Came Before the Wheel

In the scope of human history, the wheel is actually a rather young creation. Beer, clothing, and jewelry are much older.

A Sanitized History of the Sneeze Guard

The snot-blocking glass has been keeping buffets (relatively) safe since the 1950s, and it's thanks to one germophobe.

11 Amazing Things Invented by Kids

The 5-year-old who created transforming toy trucks was the youngest person to hold a patent.

The Man Who ‘Invented’ the Labradoodle Called the Dog Crossbreed His Biggest Regret

The Labradoodle is a beloved designer dog breed, but in the eyes of the dog's creator, it's a 'Frankenstein['s] monster.'

20 Iconic Things Turning 50 in 2024

The year 1974 gave us Post-It Notes, the Rubik's Cube, Bailey's Irish Cream, and more.

Moviegoers were donning these glasses to take in a 3D film way before you thought they were.

8 Everyday Things That Are Much Older Than You Think

Discover the intriguing origins of everything from Oreos to Juicy Fruit gum to sparkling water, exploring their hidden histories and unexpected beginnings, from vaudeville fads to accidental inventions.

The spinning jenny was basically the spinning wheel 2.0.

How the Spinning Jenny Transformed Textiles and Led to Industrial Sabotage

Here's the story of why the spinning jenny was invented and how the spinning mule usurped it.

Thomas Edison, awaiting a ghostly phone call.

35 Lesser-Known Inventions of Famous Inventors

Henry Ford’s car made of soybeans and Thomas Edison’s ghost-detecting telephone are just two little-known creations of history’s most famous inventors.

You can thank Letitia Mumford Geer for this.

Remembering Letitia Mumford Geer, the Nurse Who Invented the One-Handed Syringe

The syringes used by medical professionals today can be traced back to her 1899 patent.

George Washington Carver in his laboratory.

10 Black Inventors Who Changed the World

Get to know the brilliant African American innovators who brought you blood banks, personal computers, dry cleaning, and more.

Whom may we thank for this delicious invention?

Who Invented Pizza?

Discover the fascinating history of pizza, from ancient flatbreads to modern variations.

This simple cereal has a particularly intriguing backstory.

10 Incredible Things That Were Invented By Accident

Not every great invention was created according to plan. From penicillin to breakfast cereal to popsicles, these everyday items were all invented entirely by accident.

3D movies have been coming at you for over a century.

Everyday Things That Are Much Older Than You Might Think

Condoms, 3D movies, the name Tiffany ... All of these things have been around a lot longer than you might think. In this episode of The List Show, we're breaking down our favorite deceptively old things, from synchronized swimming to Juicy Fruit gum.