10 Romanian Inventions That Changed the World

Throughout history, Romanians have contributed to global progress through their ingenious discoveries. Their impact spans various complex fields such as technology, engineering, medicine, and more. Many Romanian inventions have revolutionized the world, and today you’ll learn about 10 of them:

1. The First Airplane

Traian Vuia achieved the first-ever flight with an aircraft heavier than air. This pioneering flight, which took place in 1906, was the first without catapults or other external aids. Imagine a steel bat with arched canvas wings – that’s how Vuia’s flying machine looked.

Românul care a devenit primul om care a construit şi zburat cu un avion mai  greu decât aerul Foto: https://www.descopera.ro/

2. The Jet-Powered Aircraft

Another aviation pioneer, Henri Coandă, designed the first jet-propelled aircraft, which he tested in 1910 in Paris. Coandă was also the first to describe the fluid dynamics principle, later leading to the invention of jet engines.

Henri Coandă- părintele avionului cu reacție Foto: https://identitatea.ro/
Henri Coandă

3. Ejection Seat

This invention has saved many pilots’ lives. In 1930, Anastase Dragomir developed the first version of the ejection seat, aimed at increasing pilot safety in case of a malfunction. He devised the first pilot safety system in 1928.

Anastase Dragomir, inginerul care a inventat scaunul catapultabil al  aeronavelor militare supersonice. E folosit azi în întreaga lume - IMPACT.ro
Anastase Dragomir

4. Insulin

Nicolae Păulescu discovered an anti-diabetic hormone in the pancreas, which he named “pancrein,” now known as insulin. His discovery continues to save diabetic lives worldwide, helping to manage hyperglycemia.

INSULINA Nicolae Paulescu: Contribuția Românească la Descoperirea Insulinei  | Stiri Informaţia Zilei SM
Nicolae Păulescu

5. Cybernetics

Ștefan Odobleja is regarded as the father of global cybernetics. In 1938, he published a work titled “Consonantist Psychology,” presenting key cybernetics themes and linking its roots to psychology, creating the field of psycho-cybernetics.

Stefan Odobleja - Fondatorul Ciberneticii - Revista România Culturală
Stefan Odobleja

6. Mechanical Engineering

Teodor Drăgu was the creator of the world’s first steam heating system for trains in 1887. He was also the first to introduce the automatic compressed-air braking system. Drăgu is considered the father of mechanical engineering in Romania, and his ambition and professionalism brought him recognition abroad, allowing him to revolutionize the field of mechanical engineering.

O scurtă istorie a trenului. Cum a devenit acesta unul dintre cele mai  folosite mijloace de transport din lume - FOTO https://www.descopera.ro/

7. Gerovital and Aslavital

Ana Aslan is the one who discovered a miraculous treatment aimed at delaying the aging process, which is still used today. Aslan was a doctor specializing in gerontology and was the founder of the world’s first Institute of Geriatrics. She invented Gerovital H3 and Aslavital, products regarded as “elixirs of youth.”

120 de ani de la nasterea Anei Aslan, pionier al gerontologiei mondiale -  Sănătatea Buzoiană
Ana Aslan

8. Cholera Vaccine

Ion Cantacuzino invented the cholera vaccine, also known as the “Cantacuzino method.” The typhoid epidemic that spread during World War I was more easily overcome thanks to his contribution. Due to his efforts, Romania became the second country in the world to implement the practice of vaccinating newborns against tuberculosis.

Ion Cantacuzino (1863 - 1934) Foto: https://www.unitischimbam.ro/
Ion Cantacuzino

9. The Fountain Pen

Petrache Poenaru was the one who revolutionized the world of writing instruments with the invention of the fountain pen. Initially, the pen was called the “endless portable pen that feeds itself with ink.” Poenaru was an engineer and mathematician, constantly focused on optimizing the Romanian education system.

Casa în care s-a născut inventatorul primului stilou din lume, Petrache  Poenaru, readusă la viață de unul dintre descedenții acestuia - Foto: Editia de  Dimineata
Petrache Poenaru

10. Biological Diorama

Thanks to Grigore Antipa, today’s museum spaces are more complex and representative. He was the one who revolutionized the field by creating dioramas, or three-dimensional display cases that recreated animal habitats.

Delta Dunării | Muzeul Național de Istorie Naturală Grigore Antipa Foto: https://antipa.ro/