Awesome South African inventions
South Africans have a lot to be proud of. We’re home to a lot of inventions that are known and used internationally.
Here are just a few of the many awesome South African inventions we LOVE:
Rooibos tea
Rooibos tea originated in the Cederberg region of South Africa. Many, many years ago the Khoisan harvested its leaves from the Aspalathus Linearis plant. The leaves were valued for their herbal remedies. Thereafter, Carl Humberg rediscovered the leaves in 1772. In 1904, Benjamin Ginsberg began marketing Rooibos as “mountain Tea”.
Today Rooibos tea is internationally known for its many health benefits and great taste.
The CAT Scan
The famous CT or CAT scan was invented by Allan MacLeod Cor in 1963. The amazing invention took the the first detailed picture of a living brain 1971. How amazing?
Pinotage
Abraham Izak Perold created a grape variety called Pinotage in South Africa in 1925. Kanonkop Pinotage was appointed the Best Red Wine at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London in 1991! Today, Pinotage has its very own day: International Pinotage Day, which is celebrated on 11 October.
First online ticket
Percy Tucker founded the world’s first successful reservation services, Computicket. In 1971, the system was deployed nationally. It took at least 10 years for other countries to introduce similar systems. Well done, Percy!
First prepaid service
Vodacom became the first network to introduce prepaid mobile phones in 1996. This made it possible to debit accounts in real time and has led to a huge increase in use.
Mohair
South Africa is the world’s biggest producer and exporter of mohair, which is the fleece of the angora goats. It is one of the world’s most beautiful, sustainable and natural fibres. Mohair is also called “the diamond fibre”.
Do you know of any other cool inventions? Comment below!
