Amazing Inventions by Latinos
By Jose Oliveros, VOXXI
(Originally published by VOXXI as “5 influential inventions by Latinos“)
Hispanic Heritage Month is coming to an end, and here at VOXXI we wanted to salute the great Latino inventors. Some of the things you have used -and some you haven’t- were invented by a Latino and you didn’t even know it.
Here are 5 incredible inventions by a Latino:
1. The color T.V.
Invented in 1946 by Mexican engineer Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena, color television sets changed the way we all watch our favorite shows and sporting events. As always, Latinos adding flavor to the bland in the world.
2. The Submarine
Narciso Monturiol i Estarriol of Figueras, Spain, invented the first combustion engine driven submarine. The invention by the Spaniard changed the world forever. The submarine is a pivotal piece in every country’s defense. The vessel’s first voyage was in 1859 in Barcelona.
3. reCaptcha
Hate spam? No, not Specially Prepared Assorted Meats, but that nasty clutter you get in your e-mail inbox. Well here is you your knight in shining armor, Dr. Luis vox Ahn. The Guatemalan native invented a system called reCaptcha that makes people type in two words in order to access restricted areas in website. In other words, it makes sure that a human is trying to access a certain part of a website and not a bot. If spam is bad now, imagine what it would be without it.
4. The X-ray microscope
The X-ray microscope was an important leap forward for the science and a Latino was right in the middle of the invention. Albert Baez is a co-inventor, along with Paul Kirkpatrick, invented a tool and imaging that, according to a Stanford University press release, “is still used, particularly in astronomy to take X-ray pictures of galaxies and in medicine.
5. Liquid-fuel rocket engine
Peruvian scientist Pedro Paulet, born in Arequipa on July 2, 1874, invented the liquid-fuel rocket engine. Basically, without Paulet’s groundbreaking invention in 1895, space travel would still be just a dream. So, you’re welcome Neil Armstrong.
