Surprising Things You Didn’t Know Were Italian Inventions
Did you know that many of the things we use every day were invented—or improved—by Italians? From the delicious ice cream cone to scientific tools like the thermometer and even musical instruments like the piano, Italian inventors have made the world a more creative, fun, and functional place. Here’s a list of exciting inventions with surprising Italian connections!
| Invention | Inventor or Contributor | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Chicken Wings | Teressa Bellissimo | 1964 |
| Electric Battery | Alessandro Volta | 1800 |
| Jacuzzi | Jacuzzi Brothers | 1968 |
| Ice Cream Cone | Italo Marcioni | 1896 |
| Pretzels | Italian Monks | Circa 610 AD |
| Thermometer | Galileo Galilei | 1593 |
| Wheel Lock | Leonardo da Vinci | 16th century |
| Telephone | Antonio Meucci | 1871 |
| Piano | Bartolomeo Cristofori | 1709 |
| Big Mac | Jim Delligatti | 1976 |
| Catapult | Dionysius the Elder of Syracuse | 399 B.C. |
| Eyeglasses | Salvino D’Armate | 1268–1284 |
| Radio | Nikola Tesla | 1895 |
| Scissors | N/A | 1500 B.C. |
| Yo-Yo | Romans | N/A |
| Liposuction | Dr. Giorgio Fischer | 1974 |
| Cursive Handwriting | Aldus Manutius | N/A |
| Ambulance (modern form) | Mountain Troops | 1872 |
| Carbon Paper | Pellegrino Turri | 1806 |
| Helicopter (prototype) | Enrico Forlanini | 1877 |
Why It Matters
Behind each invention is a story of creativity, science, and a desire to make life better. By learning about these Italian innovators, kids can see how curiosity and imagination can change the world. With Dinolingo’s Italian lessons, children can dive even deeper into the culture that gave us gelato, Galileo, and the grand piano—all while learning Italian in a fun and engaging way.