From life-saving devices to modern conveniences, a raft of great Australian inventors have turned game-changing ideas into a reality and forever changed how we live.
Historically, Australia has punched well above its weight on the world stage of timely inventions, scientific breakthroughs and cleverly designed new technologies.
We are naturally inquisitive and, since time immemorial, have always strived to make sense of the world around us. Scientific discovery has shaped all aspects of human living, from finding new planets to the development of medications and vaccines to combat deadly illnesses and the discovery of new materials for space exploration.
Once in a while, people come up with new ideas that change the way we live, work and play for the better. And sometimes, enormous corporations decide to support those ideas – leading to extraordinary changes. All aspects of problem-solving – critical thinking, creativity, teamwork and more – have played an important role in Australian discovery and invention.
Australia is a nation of inventors, from the invention of notepads and the plastic disposable syringe to anti-counterfeiting technology for banknotes and long-wearing contact lenses. And even before this, about 50,000 years ago, Indigenous Australians led the world with inventions like the aerodynamic boomerang for hunting, numerous bush foods and medicines, and a technique for hunting involving the controlled burning of grass fields called ‘fire stick farming.
And yet amongst our national heroes, the sporting, military and political greats have typically enjoyed the limelight, while our remarkable inventors have been largely ignored.
Ian Thompson will be our guest speaker at the museum on Saturday, 2nd April at 2:00 pm, where he will endeavour to set the record straight.
