Inventions, Discoveries and Explorations

In 1853, American inventor Elisha Otis demonstrated a freight elevator equipped with a safety device to prevent falling in case a supporting cable should break. This increased public confidence in such devices. Otis established a company for manufacturing elevators and patented (1861) a steam elevator.Many people think that he invented the elevator, but the truth is, he invented the elevator brake. He also invented the railway safety brake.

British inventor Frank Whittle was the first to patent his design for a jet engine in 1930. Although an engine designed by Dr. Hans Von Ohain was the first to fly in 1939. Whittle’s jet engine first flew in 1941.

Alfred Noble patented dynamite in 1876. Nobel left $9 million in his will to be used as awards for people whose work benefit humanity – The Nobel Peace Prize etc.