Botany
Dynamite
Safe cars (deformation zones and 3-point belts)
>>1785724>>1785735>>1785762>>1785765>>1785770>>1785773>>1785776>>1785777>>1785781>>1785785>>1785788>>1785791>>1785796>>1785801>>1785803>>1785809>>1785811>>1785815>>1785819>>1785833The concept of crediting a certain person or corporation, of a certain nationality for a certain invention, is almost entirely based upon the modern western patent system. Either that, or in the case of scientific studies, published papers and books.
However, as most people should know, "just thinking the idea first" doesn't necessarily translate into practical inventions that leave an impact on the world. What is the point of giving full credit to someone for scribbling down some thoughts, or tinkering with some stuff, if it had no utility for anyone?
The whole idea of the "lone heroic inventor" or "mad scientist" is popular because it is easy to grasp for the average person. People love stories about heroes, and successful inventors have often been fueled by fame and recognition. Therefore, bragging and exaggeration is not unheard of among themselves.
However, most modern inventions are collective efforts born through repeated experimentation, trial, and improvements. Thomas Edison was not alone, he had a whole team of some of the best scientists and technicians who dealt with electricity at that time. He was so serious about their team effort that he built an entire campus for themselves and their families known as Menlo Park. These people had learned a lot from other great inventors, and they actively partook in fairs and read papers published by other contemporaries.
The Menlo Park team were fully aware of previous attempts to create practical light bulbs. However, Edison had a grand vision of replacing all gas-powered illumination in central New York City with his electric alternative, which he successfully did with his high-voltage delivery system, coupled with high-resistance bulb filaments.
