Italy is a hub for creativity and innovation in fashion, arts and food but beyond this, these important everyday inventions also have Italian origins.
1. Jeans
Despite often being identified with American fashion and culture, the origin of these denim favourites are Italian. In the 17th century in Genoa, sailors wore denim, and it is believed the word ‘jeans’ was based on the French word for the city, Gênes.
2. Espresso machine
No surprises here, the machine was invented by Angelo Moriondo in 1884 and was later improved by Luigi Bezzera.
3. Banks
Traced back to Renaissance Italy, the most notable bank was founded by Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici of the Medici family in 1397 – the Medici Bank.
4. Piano
Bartolomeo Cristofori from Padua, Italy is noted as the piano’s inventor. First making harpsichords, in the 1700s he used his knowledge to build the world’s first piano.
5. Battery
The hint is in the name – Alessandro Volta created the voltaic pile – the world’s first electric battery.
