Australia Day is a time for celebrating all of the things that make us proud to be Aussies.  

Australian inventions include the pacemaker, wi-fi, and the bionic ear, but some of our creations have also changed everyday life at home.

Here are 10 great gadgets and items for the home first created in this country.

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1. Refrigeration

Scottish-born Australian, James Harrison created the first commercial ice making machine in 1855.

This refrigeration system that uses a vaporiser and compressor was first used in a brewery, and inspired the creation of today’s modern fridge.

James Harrison Patent 1856 LondonAlthough refrigerators have come a long way since, this patent on an ice making machine by Harrison in 1856 is what started it all.  Source: CultureVictoria

2. The Victa Mower

This first of its kind rotary mower was created as a backyard project in 1953 by the New South Wales inventor, Mervyn Victor Richardson.

Over seven million of the popular grass cutters were sold by 1997 in 30 countries.

While mowing the lawn may still seem like a chore, it used to be more difficult before the invention of the Victa mower.

3. The esky

Created in the 1940s by  the Sydney-run company Malleys, the esky was the first portable cooler in the world.

They have since became popular for picnics and in small apartments some are used as fridges.

4. Zinc Cream

Notoriously worn by cricket players, the white cream was first invented by the Adelaide based pharmaceutical company Fauldings in 1940.

It’s name stems from the key ingredient – zinc oxide.

5. Hills hoist

The hills hoist was designed in 1945 by the Adelaide motor mechanic, Lance Hill.

Although clothes lines already existed, Hill’s design was the first to allow the central pole to be lowered and raised as required.

The successful invention became an Aussie iconic element of Australian homes in 1950s Australian.
Hills Hoist 1

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Hills Hoist 2

6. The Splayde

Invented in 1946 to make dining more simple, the Sydney cafe owner William McArthur combined the fork, spoon and knife to create the splayde.

The rounded fork with a straight edge for cutting through soft foods became popular in the 1960s, when the idea was sold to a manufacturing company for mass-production.

7. Stubby Coolers

Taking the idea of the American ‘koozie,’ the Australian invention of a shorter, fatter, more ‘stubby’ shaped bottle cooler was created in the 1980s by Shane Walsh.

The styrofoam or wet suit material strip was adapted to the Australian lifestyle and used to insulate beer cans, keeping them cool.
stubby cooler

8. Ugg Boots

Originally a sock-like sheepskin boot, uggs were used by surfers in Bondi to warm their feet after the surf.


The classic Aussie shoe can be traced back to the 1930s, but became more prominent by the 1970s, and were trendy in the UK and the US by the 1990s.

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9. Cork Hat

This hat is another classic Australian invention. With corks attached by strings, they were designed to keep the flies away from jackaroos in the outback, and today remain an international symbol for Aussies.

10. Aeroguard

Another invention with the aim of  keeping flies away,’aeroguard’ insect repellent was created in 1963 by chief of the CSRIO, Doug Waterhouse.

The formula which he first tested on the Queen, was later stolen by Mortein, before Waterhouse had a chance to patent the product.