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Inventors Historical Inventions : S

Safety Pin
The safety pin was invented by Walter Hunt in 1849.

The very first sailboards date back to the late 1950s.

The origins of the sandwich.

Saran Wrap


The history of the saxophone.

Scanning and Sorting Machine
Jacob Rabinow received a patent for a automated scanning and sorting machine.

Scanning Tunneling Microscope - STM

There is history behind this cutting invention.

The invention of scooters.

Scotch Tape

Patsy Sherman received a patent for scotchgard.

Screws and Screwdrivers
Early wooden screws - Archimedes Screw - Phillips Head Screw - Robertson Screw - Square Drive Screws - screwdrivers.

Scuba Diving Equipment


Seat Belts
Volvo had the first safety belts in 1849.

On March 28, 1910, the first successful seaplane take-off from water at Martinque, France.


Self-Cleaning House
This amazing home was invented by Frances Gabe.

Seven-Up is the bubbling lemon lime drink invented by Charles Grigg.

Sewing Machines
The history behind sewing machines.


An interesting tale of the sole - "As late as 1850 most shoes were made on absolutely straight lasts, there being no difference between the right and the left shoe." Learn about the history of footwear and shoe making technology

Shoe Manufacturing Machine

Shopping Innovations
Who created the first shopping mall and other trivia.

Silly Putty

Sign Language
The history of sign language.

Pyrotechnic Signaling System
Martha Coston invented a system of maritime signal flares.


A short history of the skateboard.

Skates (Ice)
The oldest pair of ice skates known, date back to 3000 B.C.

Skiing Equipment
There is a long history behind the sport of Skiing. The idea of skiing dates as far back as the stone-age period.

Pullman Sleeping Car

Sliced Bread

Slide Ruler
Before we had calculators, we had slide rulers.

The slinky was invented by Richard and Betty James.

Slot Machines

Smart Gels
Toyoichi Tanaka received a patent for Smart Gels, a synthetic (polyacrylamide) polymer gel with unusual properties.

Smart Pills

Smoke Detectors
The first battery operated home smoke detector was patented in 1969, Randolph Smith and Kenneth House.

Snack Foods
Snack food history - pretzels, popcorn, ice cream, soft drinks, gum and more.

Modern athletic shoes were designed by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight.

Canadian, Arthur Sicard invented the snowblower in 1925.

Snowmaking Machines
The history of snowmaking machines and facts about making snow.


Soap making was known as early as 2800 B.C. - in the synthetic detergent industry it is not as easy to pinpoint exactly when the first detergents were invented.


Soda Fountain

George Hancock invented softball.

Soft Drinks
An introduction to the history of soft drinks including Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and the history behind other pop drinks.

The history of different software programs.

Solar-Powered Cars - Solar Panels - Photovoltics
In 1839, Edmund Becquerel, a French physicist was the first person to observe the photovoltaic effect. Solar-powered electric demonstration vehicles were first built by universities and manufacturers during the late eighties.

Experience the history of Sonar.

S.O.S Soap Pads

Sound Recording
The history of sound recording technology - from early recorded sounds and wax cylinders to the latest in broadcasting history.

Where did soup come from.

The history of spacesuits.

Spark Plugs
The history of spark plugs.



The history of the spectrometer.

Spinning Jenny
Hargreaves patented the spinning jenny used for weaving yarn.

Spinning Mule
Samuel Crompton invented the spinning mule.

Spinning Wheel

The spork is half spoon and half fork.

Yes, there are patents involved with sports.

Sporting Goods Innovations

Sprinkler Systems



Statue of Liberty
Bartholdi was a French sculptor born in Alsace - He created many monumental sculptures - his most famous work was the Statue of Liberty.


Steam Engines



The history of stoves.


Street Sweeper

What we commonly call styrofoam, is actually the most recognizable form of foam polystyrene packaging.


Sugar Processing Evaporator
The sugar processing evaporator was invented by Norbert Rillieux.

Around the year 1752, James Ayscough introduced his spectacles with lenses made of tinted glass.

Seymour Cray and the Cray Supercomputer.


Super Soaker
Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker® a squirt gun. Johnson also patented thermodynamics systems.


Swimming Pools
The history of swimming pools -  the first heated swimming pool was built by Gaius Maecenas of Rome.

The history behind this medical device.

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