Top 10 Pinoy Inventions
Prepared by:
Ma. Regina S. Luz, MAEd
Faculty, CASEd
Filipinos have always been known for the creativity and innovation they
incorporate in their inventions. But some inventions that were taught in school
to be invented by Filipinos were racked with controversies and disputes like
the moon buggy and fluorescent light. Most of these inventions that made it to
the list are created to address the daily needs of a typical Filipino lifestyle.
YO -YO
The word yo-yo is an Ilocano word which means "come
back". It was a weapon that had been used by natives for 400
years. However, the lethal version was large and had sharp
edges and studs. It was also attached to thick 20-feet long
ropes for flinging at enemies or prey. The modern version was
designed by a law undergraduate named, Pedro Flores. It
was made of lighter materials (wood and cotton strings) and
was mass produced in the United States.
YO -YO
Pedro Edralin Flores (26 April 1896 – 3 January
1964) was a Filipino businessman and yo-yo maker who
has been credited with popularizing Yo-yos in the United
States. The first U.S. patent for a yo-yo like toy was issued in
1866, but it was not until 1928, that a Filipino immigrant
named Pedro Flores popularized the toy. While working as a
porter in a Santa Monica, California hotel, he demonstrated
various yo-yo tricks to the guests. Flores made a key innovation
in the yo-yo.
He patented an innovation to yo-yos that used a loop instead
of a knot around the axle, allowing for new tricks such as the
ability to "sleep."
JEEPNEY
Jeepneys are the king of the Philippine roads. It was
created by Filipinos from the US military jeeps after
the Americans left the country after the war. These
surplus jeeps are stripped down and made longer to
accommodate several passengers at the back. Metal
roofs provide shade to the passengers while colorful
decorations adorn it inside and out. It provided
affordable transportation that can move about the
bumpy roads that paved post-war Philippines.
Patis (fish sauce) has been around for less
than 100 years. It was discovered by Aling Tentay,
also known as Ruperta David - Javier after the
Japanese occupation. Aling Tentay used the juice of
fish fragments from the dried fish they sell in the
market. After some modifications, patis was
invented. It was registered in 1949 as a product
of Tentay Food and Sauces. Its pungent saltiness
has become the basis of Vietnamese and Thai fish
sauce, which they consume and incorporate in their
menus.
Erythromycin, is a macrolide (Macrolides are a class of antibiotic that
includes erythromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin. They are useful in treating
respiratory, skin, soft tissue, sexually transmitted, Helicobacter pylori and atypical mycobacterial
infections) antibiotic that was sold as an alternative to penicillin. This was discovered
by Abelardo Aguilar, a doctor who observed the antibacterial actions of the Aspergillus
species of fungi in his hometown in Iloilo. He then sent samples to his employer, Eli Lilly
Co. The antibacterial action was further developed by the Indiana-based company which
marketed the antibiotic under the brand name Ilosone, in honor of the place where it
was discovered. Sadly, Abelardo died in 1993 without being recognized or rewarded
royalties for this significant contribution.
Medical Incubator
An improvised medical incubator was invented
by pediatrician Fe del Mundo. This was made up
of two native laundry baskets of different sizes
placed one inside the other. Hot water bottles were
placed all around between them to provide warmth.
There was also a makeshift hood over the
overlapping baskets to allow oxygen to circulate
within. It was created to address the needs of rural
areas with no electricity that is needed to regulate
newborn babies' body temperature.
Karaoke
The musical inclination of Pinoys has
spurred Roberto del Rosario to invent
the karaoke sing-along system. Karaoke is actually a
Japanese term which means to sing along to a popular
record with its original vocals removed. His sing along
system was a compact audio device that had a
microphone, an amplifier speaker, cassette tape
mechanisms, a microphone mixer that had features
that enhanced voice, and an optional radio tuner. This
machine was originally designed as a teaching device
for students enrolled in voice lessons.
Videophone
The plight of the hearing impaired inspired Gregorio Zara, a
physicist, to create the first videophone. It was officially
known as the photo phone signal separator network. Five
years after he created the device, AT&T developed it and sold
it to the public in 1970. Current models of videophones now
are based from the initial invention of Zara.
Quink Quick Drying Ink
The Quink quick drying ink' was invented by Francisco
Quisumbing, a Filipino botanist. It was an innovative ink at that
time and was further developed to work with Parker Pens. Aside
from being quick drying, it was also water-resistant, did not clog
the pen opening, does not blot and will not fade. It was
manufactured in four colors - black, green, red and blue.
According to Kenneth Parker's personal journal, Quink
production began on March 17, 1931, and $89,000 worth had
been shipped by October 22—more than twice the company's
expectations and an excellent return on the $68,000 spent on its
development.It is considered as one if the best selling ink for
fountain pens of the millennium.
16-Bit Microchip
Diosdado Banatao developed the first single-
chip graphical user interface accelerator that
made computers work a lot faster. This
invention has allowed computer users to use
graphics for commands and not the usual
typed commands in older computers. It has
allowed data processing to be a little faster
using very little space (small chips instead of
large boards).
Vazbuilt Modular Housing System
A glaring example is the Vazbuilt Modular Housing System, an
invention of Edgardo Vazquez. Rapid urbanization and poor
construction has left plenty of Pinoys homeless in the city. He came
up with a brilliant concept of a prefabricated or ready-to-build housing
system. Easy to build and less time to construct. This
encouraged Edgardo Vasquez to make the modular housing
system. This made use of pre-fabricated materials that can withstand
typhoons and earthquakes. Despite its resistance to natural disasters,
the modular housing system costs less than traditional building
materials and is versatile to adapt to various housing architectures.
The End
