Average Inventors and Their Inventions Quiz | 10 Questions | People

Answer: polarizing photography filter

Land was the founder of the Polaroid Corporation which innovated the method of in-camera photo development. He also worked on other photographic and optical devices and in the 1950s was instrumental in helping with the Lockheed U2 spy plane's optics.

Answer: chewing gum

Adams, while working in Mexico as a secretary for Santa Ana, observed people that chewed a rubbery substance called chicle. Adams tried to make use of this plant product to manufacture automobile tires, but failed. Turning lemons into lemonade, he then added flavoring and marketed the chicle as chewing gum with huge success. He eventually merged his business with that of William Wrigley.

Answer: metronome

Maelzel was a German-born engineer, entrepreneur and inventor. He was close to Beethoven who praised his invention of the metronome that helped musicians play in the correct music tempo with clock-like ticking. He also worked on an automatic trumpeter to play military field signals and other automatons.

Answer: safety razor

Before Gillette's invention, men who shaved had to sharpen their straight razors daily. He hit on the idea of manufacturing a disposable kind of razor that could be used a few times, then discarded. Even though thin steel blades were difficult to work with and cost $5 (about a week's pay back then), they sold remarkably well.

The Gillette company is still in business under the management of Proctor and Gamble.

Answer: the Barbie doll

Mrs. Handler was the president of the Matel Toy Company which started out as a picture frame business (the name being derived from her husband's and his business partner's names (MATt Matson & ELiot Handler). Not wanting to waste wood scraps, they began to manufacture doll house furniture.

This became so successful that they stopped making frames and concentrated on making toys. Ruth conceived the concept of the Barbie doll from fashion dolls she had seen while visiting Germany. First marketed in 1959 and named after her own daughter, the 'fashion-conscious' Barbie doll was a huge success, but was also criticized for presenting girls with an unrealistic body image.

Answer: paper clip

Vaaler was a Norwegian patent clerk who is generally attributed as having invented an early form of paper clip. His creation differed from today's familiar design by having square edges and only one loop (modern clips are rounded and have 2 loops). It is said that during WW2, Norwegians wore Vaaler's paper clips on their lapels to show solidarity against Nazis. Vaaler passed away a day shy of his 44th birthday in 1910.

Answer: stainless steel

Brearley was a British metalurgist. He got his career start in his father's steel factory and was constantly trying to develop methods for improving steel production. He is generally credited with inventing what was first termed "rustless" steel. He also founded he Freshgate Trust Foundation to encourage young people of modest means to develop their intellect by education, travel and the arts.

Answer: potato chips

George Speck (a.k.a. George Crum) worked as a guide and hunter in the Adirondack region of New York. Later, he became a cook at a prestigious restaurant in Saratoga Springs. His specialty was preparing wild game, but sometimes dabbled with innovative ways to prepare other foods.

It is alleged that one day he made very thin slices of potatoes and cooked them in hot oil to please a demanding restaurant patron. Controversy still rages today over the origin of the potato chip, but many sources concur on Speck as the originator.

Answer: Scotch tape

Drew worked for the 3M Company in Minnesota where he was attempting to develop an adhesive tape to use in painting the bordering on two-tone cars. In the tape's trial run, it proved not to be sticky enough. The painter complained to Drew to tell his Scotch bosses to put more adhesive on it (referring to the cost-cutting stereotypical Scotsman). Drew returned to his lab and came up with a transparent adhesive tape and called it "Scotch" tape based on the painter's derisive comment.

Answer: windshield wipers

Mary wore many hats - she was a real estate agent, grape grower and a rancher in addition to being an inventor. She was inspired to invent a wiper after seeing a trolley motorman operate the vehicle with the windows open on a cold winter day. The first windshield wipers were manually operated by moving a lever inside the vehicle. An attached weight also insured good contact between the wiper and the glass.

However, the wiper was not a commercial success and the patent lapsed in 1920. In 1922, the auto industry took off and wipers were soon standard equipment; Cadillac being the first to implement them.