German Contributions to the World

No doubt, Germany has brought two major conflicts to the world and that damage will take generations to repair. However, let us not also reflect on the good Germans have brought to us all. This list serves as a counter balance for my children to know that their ancestry has brought immense value to the modern world and to be proud of their heritage, despite the WW1 WW2 horrors.

Gas Engines - 1863

Nicolaus August Otto (Auto, get it?) was a German engineer who successfully developed the compressed charge internal combustion engine which ran on petroleum gas and led to the modern internal combustion engine.

Printing Press - 1468

Johannes Gutenberg, a German craftsman, and inventor who originated a method of printing from movable type. The “Gutenberg Press”.

Telephones - 1861

NOT MARCONI, but Philipp Reis succeeded in creating a device that captured sound, converted it to electrical impulses which were transmitted via electrical wires to another device that transformed these pulses into recognizable sounds similar to the original acoustical source. Reis coined the term telephon to describe his device.

Refrigerators - 1871

Carl von Linde published an essay on improved refrigeration techniques and 2 years later in Munich he built the first practical and portable compressor refrigeration machine.

Cars - 1885

Karl Benz (as in Mercedes)

GASOLINE / Automobile powered by an internal combustion engine: three-wheeled, four-cycle, engine and chassis form a single unit.

Flight - 1891

Otto Lilienthal was the first to fly with a winged (nonpowered) aircraft.

Yes, BEFORE the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk.

Powered Flight - 1901

Gustave Whitehead (Gustav Weißkopf), a German immigrant to the U.S., reportedly flew a powered aircraft in 1901—two years before the Wright brothers. Even the Smithsonian has danced around this because of their contract with the Wright estate. Whitehead’s designs were more advanced than what the Wrights had at the time.

Televisions - 1871 & 1935

Paul Julius Gottlieb Nipkow invented the

Motorcycles - 1885

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach near Stuttgart. Essentially a motorized wooden bicycle, the Reitwagen, (riding car) as it was called, was the first petroleum-powered transportation device.

Light Bulbs - 1879

Heinrich Göbel designed the first practical incandescent electric light bulb. Edison is a known thief of the inventions of others including AC Power from Tesla and the x-ray, recorder, and more).

Radio - 1886

Heinrich Hertz experimentally confirmed Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetic waves, forming the foundation of radio technology. Marconi, who built on this, used 17 of Tesla’s patents—so Tesla got robbed too. But the fundamental science? All Hertz, and where we get Hertz frequencies.

Diesel Engines - 1893

Rudolf Diesel was a German engineer who successfully developed the Diesel engine.

Helicopters - 1901

Hermann Ganswindt’s helicopter made its maiden flight in Berlin-Schöneberg, which is likely to have been the first heavier-than-air motorized flight with people.

Freeways - 1932

Before Hitler, It was the mayor of Cologne, Konrad Adenauer, who managed to finance and construct the first crossroads-free motorway. The road was 20 kilometers long, and the speed limit was 120 kilometers per hour, though at the time most cars could only manage 60.

Computers - 1941

Moon Landings - 1969

Wernher von Braun + 1600 other German Scientists (Operation Paperclip) got us to the moon. these German scientists (along with their families) were brought to

And many more:

Clothing, Cosmetics, and Fashion

13th century: Functional buttons with buttonholes for fastening clothes.
1709: Eau de Cologne by Johann Maria Farina in Cologne.
1871–1873: Jeans by German-born Levi Strauss and Russian-American Jacob Davis.
1905: Permanent wave (perm) by Karl Nessler.
1911: Nivea, the first modern cream, by Beiersdorf.

Computing

Late 17th century: Modern binary numeral system by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.
1920s: Hellschreiber, precursor to dot matrix printers and fax machines, by Rudolf Hell.
1941: First programmable, fully automatic digital computer (Z3) by Konrad Zuse.
1942–1945: First high-level programming language (Plankalkül) by Konrad Zuse.
1945: First commercial digital computer (Z4) by Konrad Zuse.
1960s: Smart card by Jürgen Dethloff and Helmut Gröttrup.

Construction, Architecture, and Shops

1831–1834: Wire rope by Wilhelm Albert.
1880: First electric elevator by Werner von Siemens.
1895: Electrically driven drill by Carl and Wilhelm Emil Fein in Stuttgart.
1895: Exothermic welding process by Hans Goldschmidt.
1926–1927: Portable electric and first petrol chainsaw by Emil Lerp.
1927: Concrete pump by Max Giese.
1930s: Particle board by Max Himmelheber.
1954: Angle grinder by Ackermann + Schmitt (FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH).
1958: Modern wall plug (Fischer Wall Plug) by Artur Fischer.
1962: First sex shop by Beate Uhse AG in Flensburg.

Cuisine

First automat restaurant (Quisisana).
Baumkuchen.
Modern beer – Reinheitsgebot.
Berliner (doughnut).
Bratwurst.
Modern sandwich doner kebab in Berlin.
Gummy bear.
Hamburger.
Hamburg steak.
Hot dog.
Jägermeister.
Pretzel (earliest recorded evidence in Germany).
Rye beer.
Vienna sausage.

Education, Language, and Printing

12th century: Lingua Ignota – the first entirely constructed language.
1440: Printing press with movable type by Johannes Gutenberg.
1605: First newspaper.
1796: Lithography by Alois Senefelder.
1830s: Kindergarten concept by Friedrich Fröbel.
1844: Wood pulp process for papermaking by Friedrich Gottlob Keller.
1905: Morse code SOS distress signal.

Entertainment, Electronics, and Media

1505: The first pocket watch by Peter Henlein.
1663: First magazine (Erbauliche Monaths Unterredungen).
1885: Nipkow disk (a fundamental television component) by Paul Nipkow.
1897: Cathode-ray tube (CRT) and oscilloscope by Ferdinand Braun.
1903: Printed circuit board by Albert Hanson.
1907: Earplug by Max Negwer.
1920s: Leica Camera – first 35mm small-format camera by Oskar Barnack.
1928: Magnetic tape in Dresden.
1930s: First tape recorder by BASF.
1934: First television station in Berlin.
1949: Integrated circuit by Werner Jacobi.
1961: PAL (Phase Alternating Line) color TV system by Walter Bruch.
1980s and early 1990s: MP3 compression algorithm (fundamental for MP3 players)
1990: First radio-controlled wristwatch (MEGA 1) by Junghans
1984: Short Message Service (SMS) texting concept by Friedhelm Hillebrand.
1991: SIM card by Giesecke & Devrient.
2005: YouTube by Jawed Karim.
2011: or earlier: Wi-Fi by Harald Haas

Geography, Geology, and Mining

1812: Mohs scale of mineral hardness by Friedrich Mohs.
1855: Stauroscope by Wolfgang Franz von Kobell.
1912: Theory of Continental drift and postulation of Pangaea by Alfred Wegener.

Household and Office Appliances

1835: Modern mirror (silvered-glass mirror) by Justus von Liebig.
1864: Ingrain wallpaper by Hugo Erfurt.
1870–1895: Modern refrigerator by Carl von Linde.
1871: Modern innerspring mattress by Heinrich Westphal.
1886: Hole punch and ring binder by Friedrich Soennecken.
1886: Folding ruler by Anton Ullrich in Maikammer
1901: Adhesive tape by Beiersdorf AG.
1907: Modern laundry detergent (Persil) by Henkel.
1908: Paper coffee filter by Melitta Bentz.
1929, 1949: First machine-produced tea bag (1929) and the modern tea bag
1941: Chemex Coffeemaker by Peter Schlumbohm
1954: Wigomat, first drip coffee maker.
1969: Glue stick by Henkel.

Medicine and Drugs

1796: Homeopathy by Samuel Hahnemann.
1803–1827: First isolation of morphine by Friedrich Sertürner in Paderborn.
1850s: Microscopic pathology by Rudolf Virchow.
1850–1851: Ophthalmoscope by Hermann von Helmholtz.
1852: First complete blood count by Karl von Vierordt.
1854: Sphygmograph (device to measure pulse waves) by Karl von Vierordt.
1895: X-ray Imaging by Wilhelm Röntgen, allowing non-invasive visualization of the human body’s internal structures.
1881: First modern Caesarean section performed by Ferdinand Adolf Kehrer.
1882: Adhesive bandage (Guttaperchapflastermulle) by Paul Carl Beiersdorf.
1887: Amphetamine by Romanian-born Lazăr Edeleanu in Berlin.
1897–1899: Aspirin by Felix Hoffmann or Arthur Eichengrün at Bayer.
1901: Blood Typing by Karl Landsteiner, enabling safe blood transfusions.
1909, 1929: First intrauterine device (IUD) by Richard Richter.
1912–1916: Invention of the modern condom by Poland-born Julius Fromm in Berlin.
1912: MDMA (ecstasy) by Anton Köllisch, chemist at Merck.
1916: Creation of oxycodone by Martin Freund and Edmund Speyer at the University of Frankfurt.
1920–1924: First synthesis of hydrocodone.
1924: First human electroencephalography (EEG) recording by Hans Berger.
1928: Discovery of Penicillin by Alexander Fleming, the first true antibiotic.
1929: Cardiac catheterization by Werner Forssmann.
1937–1939: Creation of methadone.
1952: Polio Vaccine by Jonas Salk, leading to a massive decline in polio cases.
1953: Echocardiography by Carl Hellmuth Hertz.
1953: DNA Double Helix Structure discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick, with contributions from Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins.
1960: First Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill, revolutionizing reproductive health.
1961: Combined oral contraceptive pill.
1978: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – The birth of Louise Brown, the first baby conceived via IVF.
1980s: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – A non-invasive imaging technique that transformed diagnostics.
2003: Completion of the Human Genome Project, mapping the entire human genome and advancing personalized medicine.

Military and Weapons

1498: Barrel rifling developed in Augsburg, improving firearm accuracy by imparting spin to bullets.
1901: Modern flamethrower developed by the German Army, later refined for military use in World War I.
1916: First anti-tank grenade, designed to counter armored vehicles.
1918: First anti-tank rifle (Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr) by Mauser, specifically designed to penetrate early tank armor.
1918: First practical submachine gun (MP 18) by Theodor Bergmann, influencing all later submachine gun designs.
1941: Messerschmitt Me 163, the only operational rocket-powered fighter aircraft, and the first piloted plane to exceed 621 mph, designed by Alexander Lippisch.
1942: First modern assault rifle (StG 44) by Hugo Schmeisser, setting the standard for future military rifles.
1943: First aviation unit (Kampfgeschwader 100) to use precision-guided munitions, paving the way for modern smart bombs.
1944: First anti-tank missile (X-7), an early guided weapon developed by Germany.
1944: First operational cruise missile (V-1 flying bomb) by Robert Lusser at Fieseler.
1944: First long-range guided ballistic missile (V-2 rocket) under the direction of Wernher von Braun, a major advancement in rocketry and space exploration.

2014: IRIS-T Surface-Launched (SL) Air Defense System – A high-precision, ground-based air defense system developed by Diehl Defence, capable of intercepting aircraft, drones, and missiles.
2021: PEGASUS (Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System) – A signals intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft project by Hensoldt, based on the Bombardier Global 6000 platform.
2023: Rheinmetall Caracal – A light airborne vehicle developed by Rheinmetall, Mercedes-Benz, and ACS Armoured Car Systems, designed for rapid deployment in military operations.
2024: Unmanned Military Vehicles Joint Venture – A collaboration between Rheinmetall and Croatian firm DOK-ING to develop autonomous ground vehicles for mine clearance, reconnaissance, and air defense.
2024: Advancements in AI and Autonomous Systems – The Bundeswehr is integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous systems to enhance battlefield awareness and decision-making.

Physics and Scientific Instruments

1608: Telescope by Hans Lippershey, enabling distant object observation.
1650: First vacuum pump by Otto von Guericke, demonstrating atmospheric pressure with the Magdeburg hemispheres.
1817: Gyroscope by Johann Gottlieb Friedrich von Bohnenberger, illustrating rotational motion principles.
1827: Ohm’s Law formulated by Georg Ohm, defining the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance.
1833: Magnetometer by Carl Friedrich Gauss, measuring magnetic field strength.
1845: Kirchhoff’s circuit laws by Gustav Kirchhoff, foundational for electrical circuit analysis.
1850: Formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics by Rudolf Clausius, introducing concepts of energy conservation and entropy.
1857: Geissler tube by Heinrich Geißler, pioneering gas-discharge tubes leading to neon lighting and plasma studies.
1859: Spectrometer by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff, enabling chemical analysis via light spectra.
1861: First telephone transmitter by Johann Philipp Reis, who also coined the term “telephone”.
1864–1875: Centrifuge by brothers Alexander and Antonin Prandtl from Munich, separating substances of different densities.
1883: First accurate electricity meter, crucial for measuring electrical consumption.
1895: Discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Röntgen in Würzburg, revolutionizing medical imaging.
1900–1930: Development of quantum mechanics by scientists including Max Planck and Werner Heisenberg, transforming physics.
1904: First radar system by Christian Hülsmeyer, laying groundwork for future radar technology.
1905: Mass–energy equivalence (E = mc²) and special relativity by Albert Einstein, reshaping understanding of space and time.
1906–1912: Third law of thermodynamics (Nernst’s theorem) by Walther Nernst, stating that entropy approaches zero as temperature approaches absolute zero.
1913: Echo sounding by Alexander Behm, advancing underwater depth measurement.
1916: General relativity by Albert Einstein, providing a new theory of gravitation.
1917: Theoretical foundation for the laser by Albert Einstein, introducing the concept of stimulated emission.
1920s: Modern hand-held metal detector by Gerhard Fischer, aiding in locating metallic objects.
1928: Geiger counter co-invented by Hans Geiger, detecting and measuring ionizing radiation.
1931: Electron microscope by Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll, allowing visualization of structures at the atomic level.
1933: Discovery of the Meissner effect by Walther Meissner and Robert Ochsenfeld, a key phenomenon in superconductivity.
1938: Discovery of nuclear fission by Otto Hahn and Fritz Straßmann in Berlin, leading to atomic energy applications.
1980s: Atomic force microscope and scanning tunneling microscope by Gerd Binnig, providing nanoscale imaging capabilities.
2020s: Quantum computing advancements – Germany has been at the forefront of quantum computing research, particularly through institutes such as Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
2023: World’s first quantum internet node – German researchers successfully implemented an experimental quantum network node, laying groundwork for future quantum-secure communication.

Religion, Ethics, and Festivities

1434: The world’s first genuine Christmas market (Striezelmarkt) in Dresden, establishing a tradition that has become central to European Christmas celebrations.
1517: Initiation of Protestantism and Lutheranism by Martin Luther, leading to significant religious reforms and the establishment of Protestant denominations.
16th century: Emergence of the modern Christmas tree in Germany, a tradition that has since spread worldwide.
17th century: Introduction of the Easter Bunny, symbolizing fertility and rebirth during the Easter season.
c. 1610: Invention of tinsel in Nuremberg, adding sparkle to Christmas decorations.
1776: Founding of the Illuminati by Adam Weishaupt, a secret society aiming to promote Enlightenment ideals.
1810: Inauguration of Oktoberfest in Munich, now the world’s largest Volksfest, celebrating Bavarian culture with beer, music, and traditional attire.
1839: Creation of the Advent wreath by Johann Hinrich Wichern, enhancing the spiritual preparation for Christmas.
1850: Development of the Advent calendar by German Lutherans; the modern version was popularized by Gerhard Lang from Munich, bringing daily anticipation to the Advent season.

Tourism and Recreation

1891: Prinzessin Victoria Luise – The world’s first purpose-built cruise ship, commissioned by Albert Ballin.
1910: Carabiner – German mountaineer Otto “Rambo” Herzog adapted fire brigade equipment into a climbing carabiner, revolutionizing climbing safety and technique.
1915 or earlier: Development of the modern collapsible parachute – While earlier versions existed, German innovators improved parachute designs for controlled descent, leading to safer aerial operations.
1930s: Volkswagen Beetle – Commissioned by Adolf Hitler and designed by Ferdinand Porsche, the Beetle was intended as an affordable car for the masses, fueling road travel culture.
1950: First mass tourism package – German entrepreneur Konrad Adenauer promoted package holidays to Spain, pioneering the modern all-inclusive vacation industry.

Transportation

1655: First self-propelled wheelchair by Stephan Farffler, a Nuremberg watchmaker, enabling greater mobility for individuals with disabilities.
1817: First bicycle (Dandy horse or Laufmaschine) by Karl von Drais, introducing personal mechanized transport.
1817: Tachometer by Diedrich Uhlhorn, measuring the speed of machinery.
1834: First practical rotary electric motor by Moritz von Jacobi, laying the foundation for electric propulsion.
1838: First electric boat by Moritz von Jacobi, demonstrating electric marine transportation.
1876: Otto engine by Nicolaus Otto, the first internal combustion engine to efficiently burn fuel directly in a piston chamber.
1879: First electric locomotive by Siemens & Halske, pioneering electric rail transport.
1881: First electric tramway (Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway) by Siemens & Halske, introducing urban electric public transport.
1882: Trolleybus (Electromote) by Werner von Siemens, combining elements of trams and buses for flexible urban transit.
1885: First automobile (Benz Patent-Motorwagen) by Karl Benz in Mannheim, marking the birth of the modern car.
1885: First motorcycle (Daimler Reitwagen) by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, introducing motorized two-wheel transport.
1885: First modern internal combustion engine by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach.
1886: First automobile on four wheels, by Gottlieb Daimler.
1886: First motorboat by Lürssen, in commission of Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, in Bremen.
1888: First driver’s license by Karl Benz.
1888: The world’s first filling station was the city pharmacy in Wiesloch.
1888: Flocken Elektrowagen – Regarded by some as the first real electric car.
1893: Diesel engine, diesel fuel, and biodiesel by Rudolf Diesel in Augsburg.
1893: Zeppelin – The first rigid airship, by Ferdinand von Zeppelin.
1895: First internal combustion engine bus by Daimler.
1896: First truck (Daimler Motor-Lastwagen) by Gottlieb Daimler.
1897: Flat engine by Karl Benz.
1897: First internal combustion engine taxicab, by Gottlieb Daimler.
1901: Mercedes 35 hp – Regarded by some as the first real modern automobile. The car also had the world’s first drum brakes.
1902: First high-voltage spark plug by Gottlob Honold.
1902: First practical speedometer by Otto Schultze.
1906: Gyrocompass by Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe.
1909, 1912: World’s first passenger airline – DELAG in Frankfurt.
1912: First diesel locomotive by Gesellschaft für Thermo-Lokomotiven Diesel.
1915: First all-metal aircraft (Junkers J 1) by Junkers & Co.
1916: Gasoline direct injection (GDI).
1928: First rocket-powered aircraft (Lippisch Ente) by Alexander Lippisch.
1936: First operational and practical helicopter (Focke-Wulf Fw 61), by Focke-Achgelis.
1939: First practical jet aircraft (Heinkel He 178) with a turbojet, by Hans von Ohain.
1951: Airbag by Walter Linderer.
1960s: Defogger by Heinz Kunert.

Early-History

1440: Movable Type Printing Press by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz. This invention revolutionized book production, making literature and knowledge more accessible and accelerating the spread of information across Europe.
1490–1492: Nürnberg Terrestrial Globe by Martin Behaim. Recognized as the oldest surviving globe, reflecting the geographical understanding of the world during the Age of Exploration.
1505: Portable Watch by Peter Henlein in Nuremberg. One of the earliest known portable timepieces, laying the groundwork for modern watches.
1510: Pocket Watch by Peter Henlein in Nuremberg. As a locksmith and clockmaker, Henlein further developed early portable timepieces, making timekeeping more accessible.
1556: De re metallica by Georgius Agricola. A comprehensive work on mining and metallurgy, systematically describing metal extraction and processing. It remained a standard reference for centuries.
1589: Gregorian Calendar Reform by Christopher Clavius. A key contributor to Pope Gregory XIII’s calendar reform, correcting inaccuracies in the Julian calendar, leading to the system still in use today.
1590: Compound Microscope by Zacharias Janssen (possible contributions from Hans Lippershey). Although often attributed to Janssen, historical accounts suggest German-Dutch spectacle maker Hans Lippershey may have also been involved in its development, paving the way for significant advancements in biology and medicine.
1598: Zeitweiser Sundial by Philipp Uffenbach. A printed diptych sundial published in Frankfurt, notable for containing the oldest known gnomonic world map and comprehensive astronomical information.