12 Things Named After Their Inventors
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Every device, piece of clothing, and even dish has a creator. Yet many have become so integral to our lives that we forget to capitalize their names despite them being derived from individuals. The innovators on this list likely never anticipated that their names would evolve into common nouns, but this transformation is a remarkable honor.
Their designs, some born of luck, have significantly influenced history and transformed how we live and work. Although some of these inventions were developed centuries ago, they have not faded away—unlike some modern inventions we no longer use—and their names and creations are here to stay.
Diesel Engine
Rudolf Diesel developed the slow-burning, compression ignition engine in 13 years. During that era, the steam engine was the primary power source for large industries. In the 1920s, high-speed diesel engines emerged on the market and began to be utilized in passenger cars by the 1930s.
Ferris Wheel
The Ferris Wheel was conceived as America’s answer to the Eiffel Tower. George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., a young engineer, was commissioned to create something “daring and unique.”
While amusement park wheels had been designed previously, none matched the scale of Ferris’s creation. Standing at 250 feet in diameter, the Ferris Wheel featured 36 cars, each capable of carrying 60 passengers.
Saxophone
Adolphe Sax invented several horn instruments throughout his life, but none are as renowned as the one that carries his name. His vision was to create an instrument that combined the mechanics of a woodwind—hence the inclusion of a reed—with the distinctive sound of a horn.
The saxophone ultimately transformed the music landscape, although it took time to achieve widespread acclaim. Initially regarded as a novelty, it found its true voice with the emergence of jazz in the 1920s, as musicians discovered its perfect harmony with the genre’s vibrant sound.
Salisbury Steak
James Salisbury, a 19th-century physician, invented this iconic school cafeteria staple. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Salisbury maintained that starches and vegetables were detrimental to health.
While his emphasis on lean meat has since been validated, the consensus remains that fruits and vegetables are vital for a balanced diet. Nevertheless, this savory blend of ground meats and gravy has captured millions’ hearts (and appetites).
Heimlich Maneuver
Dr. Henry Heimlich, a surgeon in Cincinnati, developed the life-saving Heimlich maneuver in 1974 to prevent choking. This technique involves applying pressure to a victim’s abdomen, just above the navel, which forces air from the lungs to expel a foreign object blocking the airway. Dr. Heimlich passed away in 2016, leaving a legacy of saving countless lives.
Graham Crackers
Sylvester Graham and his crackers were on the opposite end of the diet spectrum. The day’s diet consisted of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, completely devoid of meats or spices. To counter the blandness of this regimen, Graham developed the graham cracker, perhaps as a means of enforcing it as well.
He believed a diet aligned with these principles fostered a morally pure lifestyle. Ironically, most people today associate graham crackers with summer cookouts and beach bonfires, largely due to the beloved dessert known as s’mores. Given the various indulgent treats that incorporate graham crackers, it’s clear that Graham’s original intentions have largely been forgotten.
Bowler Hat
We owe the creation of this iconic felt hat to William Bowler, who designed it in 1850. However, credit is also due to Edward Coke, the younger brother of the Earl of Leicester, for commissioning Bowler in the first place. Legend has it that Coke requested a hat to shield him from low-hanging branches while horseback riding—perhaps a more stylish choice than a helmet!
Nachos
Nachos are such a beloved snack that the word isn’t even capitalized, despite being derived from a person’s nickname. Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya first served what we now know as nachos to American military wives at a restaurant near Fort Duncan in Mexico.
He fried tortilla chips, topped them with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced jalapeños, then warmed them for a few minutes—voilà!
Mason Jar
One might assume that the inventor of one of the most beneficial containers ever created would have profited significantly from his invention. However, Mason did not see a penny from his jars because companies started mass-producing them after the patent expired in 1879.
Petri Dish
Julius Richard Petri was a German microbiologist serving the army who invented nesting glass plates ideal for cultivating microorganisms. He worked alongside the esteemed Robert Koch, renowned for his groundbreaking discoveries related to the causes of cholera, tuberculosis, and anthrax. He was able to do so because he sterilized Petri dishes to grow bacteria.
Mackintosh
The Scottish chemist developed a method to make fabrics water-resistant while exploring potential uses for byproducts of gasworks. He utilized rubber dissolved in coal-tar naphtha to bond two pieces together.
Although the initial design faced numerous issues, it saw significant improvement with introducing vulcanized rubber, which remained stable despite temperature fluctuations.
Bakelite
The industrial chemist is recognized as a pivotal figure in establishing the modern plastics industry, primarily due to his invention of Bakelite. This groundbreaking material was the first type of plastic that does not soften when exposed to heat, paving the way for a wide range of applications, from jewelry to billiard balls.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
