Research

Top 3 best Australian inventions of the last century

Australia has produced some of the scientific world’s best thinkers, researchers and inventors. Some of the following items on the list will likely surprise you, especially given Australia’s current place in the scientific world.

The Hills Hoist

Arguably one of the nation’s most famed inventions is the Hills Hoist. An adjustable, rotary clothesline was invented by Lance Hill, and have been manufactured since 1945. They have become a staple of Australian suburbia, often featuring in artistic works depicting Australia during the 1950s and 60s. Such is its cultural significance; the device is named a National Treasure by the National Library of Australia.

The first feature film

This one will shock a lot of readers, but it turns out Australia was the first country to produce a feature-length narrative film (over 60 minutes). “The Story of the Kelly Gang” traced the exploits of the 19th-century bushranger, Ned Kelly, and his gang out outlaws. The original cut of the film was more than 1200m, and it premiered in Australia in December 1906 and the United Kingdom in January 1908. As of 2020, only 17 minutes of the film have survived.

Boxed wine

Also known as “cask wine” or colloquially known as “goon”, boxed wine is a cheaper alternative to premium bottled wine. The process of packaging was invented by South Australian winemaker, Thomas Angove, who patented the design in April 1965. His design required users to cut the corner off the bladder, pour the wine and then reseal the bag with a particular peg.

Two years later, Penfolds Wines and Charles Malpas designed plastic, air-tight tap that could be welded to the bag, allowing for easy distribution and more effective storage. These days, boxed wine bladders use plastic taps for distribution. It remains a household favourite for young people because of its low price and widespread availability.

Emily Dash

Emily Dash is a columnist for Quilter. She is a seven-time winner of the Loeb Award, business journalism's highest honor. She is a graduate of the University of Sydney.

Recent Posts

Top 5 best Australian authors

Australia has had a plethora of successful writers and authors throughout its brief history as…

12 hours ago

From Ice Station to The Tournament: Matthew Reilly’s best novels

Matthew Reilly is one of Australia’s most commercially successful authors, having sold more than 7…

16 hours ago

3 financial changes that irrevocably changed the Australian investment scene

The Australian financial scene has gone through extensive structural reform over the last forty to…

20 hours ago

The life and research of marine biologist Bashar Ibrahim

Bashar Ibrahim is a marine biologist based in Sydney, Australia who heads up a team…

24 hours ago

Australia is taking on Google over privacy violations

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is arguing that Google’s notifications are misleading Australian…

1 day ago

Ranking the top 3 most significant research discoveries of the decade

For the science world, the 2010s decade was a period of excitement and wonder, as…

1 day ago