What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Poland? Nature lovers think of its enchanting forests and breathtaking landscapes, casino fans think of “kasyno online”, games and bonuses in the casino, and history buffs love ancient castles Unfortunately, few people know that this country is the birthplace of the most ingenious inventions in the world. Here are five inventions from Poland that changed the world forever.
1. Kerosene Lamp
Until the middle of the 19th century, the world still relied on candles as a source of light, but the invention of kerosene lamps “illuminated” the dark world. In 1853, the Polish pharmacist Ignius Lukasiewicz purchased one hundred liters of oil.
Together with his colleagues, he began to experiment with oil and conduct its chemical analysis in the laboratory. Finally, they were able to distill the oil to produce kerosene, which they later used in a newly designed lamp as fuel for light. Thus, kerosene lamps became an affordable alternative to candles. Within a year, the lamps became popular in Europe and soon throughout the world.
2. Toothpaste
Dental hygiene is an integral part of every person’s life. Most people brush their teeth at least twice a day and feel uncomfortable leaving the house without brushing their teeth. Unfortunately, few people know that we owe the invention of toothpaste to Poland. Oskar Troplowitz, a German chemist and inventor, had pharmacies in three major cities in Poland.
Before the invention of toothpaste in the form we use today, people used powdered substances to keep their mouths fresh and clean. Now that toothpaste comes in different tubes and flavors, it’s important to be aware of its humble origins.
3. Strict Gambling Rules
San Francisco is the birthplace of slot machines; Las Vegas is where the first casino was opened, and New Orleans is the home of poker and other casino games. Nevertheless, Poland can confidently be called one of the countries with the most stringent gambling rules.
- The first casino in Poland appeared in the city of Sopot in 1920.
- After World War II, they had to be closed due to strict gambling laws in the USSR.
- Gamblers were able to play their favorite games only in 1998 when the ban on gambling was lifted in the USSR.
- The Polish government applied strict regulations to the gambling industry.
- Since 2009, Polish players have been able checkout sporting events.
4. Esperanto
Poland is known to be the birthplace of Esperanto, an artificial language spoken by about 2 million people worldwide. It all started in 1887, when Ludwik Zamenhof, living in the multiethnic and multicultural city of Bialystok, decided to publish a book describing this new language.
Being a polyglot and speaking at least ten languages, including German, Russian, Hebrew, and Latin, Zamenhof decided to take the best and most useful features of different languages and build a logical language. Unfortunately, this language couldn’t become an international language of communication but became the most successfully constructed artificial language.
5. Bulletproof Vest
Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine policemen, prison guards, or members of the military on duty without bulletproof vests.
However, few people know that the first bulletproof vest was invented in 1893, following the murder of Carter Harrison Sr., the Mayor of Chicago.
The author of the idea was Kazimierz Zeglen, a Polish priest and engineer. He and inventor Jan Szczepanik created a bulletproof vest made of silk, a very common material at the time. As bulletproof vests have become more popular around the world, their design and technology have improved.
