Unusual inventions and their stories

The fridge, a 150-year-old idea

We use the refrigerator every day, but did you know that its ancestor was invented in 1876 by the German chemist Carl von Linde? The first refrigerator used ammonia as a refrigerant and was initially used in breweries to cool beer. It was a revolution for food preservation, which reduced the risk of food-related illnesses and paved the way for the food industry as we know it today.

The microwave oven, an accidental invention

The history of the microwave oven is a perfect example of serendipity, the ability to make a discovery by accident. In 1945, American engineer Percy Spencer was working on radar when he noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. He realized that the heat was coming from the magnetron, a component of the radar. A few years later, he invented the first microwave oven, a device that would change the way we cook.

Cement, a revolution from the Romans

Cement is an essential building material, but its origin is much older than we think. The Romans were the first to use a form of cement, "hydraulic mortar," which allowed them to build impressive structures that still exist today, such as the Pantheon in Rome. This cement, based on lime and volcanic ash, was able to harden even under water. An invention that laid the foundation for modern engineering.

Inventions that changed lives

The compass is an invention that comes to us from the Chinese. It was invented in the 11th century and revolutionized navigation, allowing sailors to orient themselves in the open sea. The tire was invented by the British John Boyd Dunlop in 1888. It was designed for bicycles and was quickly adapted to cars, which improved passenger comfort and safety. These inventions, big or small, have a major impact on our daily lives and are proof that curiosity and ingenuity are the driving forces of history.