Five inventions that changed the world

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Every day, we rely on countless inventions that make our lives easier – from the device you're using right now to the zip on your coat. These designs are such an ordinary part of our lives that we often overlook the creativity and ingenuity behind them.

The Gladiators micro:bit challenge brought problem-solving to life, inviting 7-to-11-year-olds to design gadgets that could enhance a Gladiator’s performance. Focused on creativity and innovation, the campaign encouraged pupils to step into the shoes of inventors and showed how imaginative ideas can tackle real-world challenges.

Throughout history, ground-breaking ideas often seemed improbable at first, even the early versions of cars faced scepticism at the time. Yet, humanity has thrived by thinking beyond the obvious, creating inventions that revolutionised communication, boosted productivity, and transformed lives.

Everyday inventions

The traffic light

In the early 20th century, traffic at busy intersections was chaotic. Cars, carriages, and pedestrians all fought for space, with little guidance.

It was after a crash at a busy Cleveland junction, where a young girl was thrown from a carriage and a horse fatally injured, that Garret Morgan recognised the need for change.

Motivated by the incident, Morgan, a prolific inventor who adopted the nickname “the Black Edison”, designed an automated traffic signal with a ‘warning’ position (an early version of the amber light) to give drivers time to clear the intersection. His innovation led to the creation of the first automatic traffic signal, for which he received a USA patent on November 20, 1923.

Word processor

In the 1960s, 6% of workers in the USA were secretaries who used typewriters. Every mistake meant starting all over again, which made the job painfully slow and frustrating.

Evelyn Berezin, not often remembered among the prominent names in tech, fundamentally changed this landscape.

In 1969, she founded Data Corporation, the first company dedicated to manufacturing and selling computerised typewriters. Her invention, the ‘Data Secretary’, a machine the size of a small refrigerator, enabled workers to edit, delete, and copy text; an innovation that laid the groundwork for the modern (and much smaller) computers we use today.

As Berezin reflected, “I know that desktop computers seem obvious now, but it wasn’t so then.”

Accidental inventions

The Post-it note

The Post-it note owes its existence to a happy accident. In 1968, scientist Spencer Silver was attempting to invent a powerful adhesive but ended up creating a gentle, reusable one instead.

Since it was not what he intended, the discovery went largely unused. That is until his colleague, Art Fry, found a practical application. Struggling to keep bookmarks from slipping out of his hymn book during choir practice, Fry realised that Silver’s adhesive could hold paper in place without causing damage.

This innovation led to the launch of the Post-it note in 1980, a product now sold in billions each year, widely regarded as an essential tool in offices and beyond.

Velcro

Some ideas just stick. George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, invented Velcro in 1941 after noticing burrs from a burdock plant clinging to his trousers and dog’s fur during a walk in the woods. While most would have dismissed the burrs, de Mestral studied them under a microscope and saw tiny hooks that latched onto fabric, inspiring him to create a new way to fasten things.

He spent years developing a practical, working version of the fastener, and in 1955, he patented his design. Initially slow to catch on, Velcro gained traction when NASA used it in space missions. By the 1960s, it became a household name.

Inspiring Inventions

The Shoe That Grows

Poverty often limits access to essentials like healthcare, education, and basic goods, including shoes. For children in poverty, this can lead to injuries and diseases, with over 1.5 billion people affected by soil-transmitted illnesses.

In 2007, Kenton Lee, the founder of the non-profit organisation Because International, set out to address this issue. The result was The Shoe That Grows—a pair of adjustable shoes that expand five sizes, designed for children aged 5 to 9. This innovation helps reduce injuries and prevent disease in developing regions, with over 400,000 pairs of shoes distributed to children and families worldwide.

Whether it's a traffic light preventing chaos on the roads or a shoe that grows with a child, each invention tells a story of persistence, creativity, and unexpected inspiration. The BBC Gladiators micro:bit challenge has children aged 7-11 also thinking outside the box. Unlock your inner inventor with the Gladiator micro:bit challenge and use technical drawing to design some gadgets of your own!

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