Hieronder volgt een lijst van beroemde personen die een uitvinding of ontdekking deden of die bestaande uitvindingen aanmerkelijk verbeterden.
| Naam | Uitvinding | Jaar |
|---|---|---|
| Abplanalp, Robert Robert Abplanalp | spuitbusventiel | 1949 |
| Achard, Franz Carl Franz Carl Achard | suiker uit bieten | 1803 |
| Adler, Robert Robert Adler | afstandsbediening | 1956 |
| Amsler, Jakob Jakob Amsler | planimeter | 1854 |
| Appert, Nicolas Nicolas Appert | vacuümbotteling | 1804 |
| conservenblik | 1810 | |
| Archimedes | schroef van Archimedes | |
| Arkwright, Richard Richard Arkwright | waterframe spinmachine | 1769 |
| Armstrong, Edwin Edwin Armstrong | FM-radio | 1918 |
| Arnott, Neil Neil Arnott | waterbed | 1832 |
| Aspdin, Joseph Joseph Aspdin | Portlandcement | 1824 |
| Babbage, Charles Charles Babbage | mechanische computer | 1835 |
| Baekeland, Leo Leo Baekeland | bakeliet (kunststof) | 1909 |
| Bain, Alexander Alexander Bain | faxmachine | 1843 |
| Baird, John Logie John Logie Baird | televisie | 1923 |
| Basch, Siegfried von Siegfried von Basch | bloeddrukmeter | 1881 |
| Baylis, Trevor Trevor Baylis | opwindradio | 1989 |
| Bell, Alexander Graham Alexander Graham Bell | telefoon | 1876 (zie ook Meucci) |
| fotofoon | 1880 | |
| metaaldetector | 1881 | |
| Bent, Josiah Josiah Bent | eerste crackers | 1801 |
| Benz, Carl Carl Benz | automobiel | 1884 |
| carburateur | 1885 (samen met Gottlieb Daimler) | |
| Berliner, Emile Emile Berliner | grammofoonplaat en platenspeler | 1887 |
| Berners-Lee, Tim Tim Berners-Lee | world wide web | 1989 |
| Bessemer, Henry Henry Bessemer | bessemer peer | 1855 |
| Binet, Alfred Alfred Binet | IQ-test | 1896 |
| Bíró, László László Bíró | kogelpen | 1938 |
| Bogardus, James James Bogardus | gietijzeren constructies voor gebouwen | 1850 |
| Borden, Gail Gail Borden | gecondenseerde melk | 1856 |
| Braille, Louis Louis Braille | brailleschrift | 1829 |
| Brandenberger, Jacques Edwin Jacques Edwin Brandenberger | cellofaan | 1908 |
| Brandes, Heinrich Heinrich Brandes | weerkaart | 1819 |
| Braun, Karl Ferdinand Karl Ferdinand Braun | kathodestraalbuis | 1898 |
| Bunsen, Robert Robert Bunsen | gasbrander | 1856 |
| Cailliau, Robert Robert Cailliau | world wide web | 1989 |
| Callan, Nicholas Nicholas Callan | vonkinductor | 1836 |
| Carlson, Chester Chester Carlson | Xerografie | 1938 |
| Carothers, Wallace Wallace Carothers (DuPont) | nylon | 1937 |
| Carpue, Joseph Constantine Joseph Constantine Carpue | plastische chirurgie | 1814 |
| Cayley, George George Cayley | rupsband | 1824 |
| Celsius, Anders Anders Celsius | temperatuurschaal | |
| Chalmers, James James Chalmers | postzegel (zelfplakkend) | 1834 |
| Chappe, Claude Claude Chappe | optische telegraaf | 1792 |
| Charles, Jacques Jacques Charles | hydrometer | |
| goniometer | ||
| Chesebrough, Robert Robert Chesebrough | vaseline | 1879 |
| Cierva, Juan de la Juan de la Cierva | autogiro | 1923 |
| Colmar, Charles Xavier Thomas de Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar | rekenmachine | 1819 |
| Claude, Georges Georges Claude | neon-lichtreclame | 1909 |
| Coandă, Henri Henri Coandă | straaljager | 1954 |
| Cochrane, Josephine Josephine Cochrane | vaatwasmachine | 1886 |
| Coehoorn, Menno van Menno van Coehoorn | Coehoornmortier | 1674 |
| Colt, Samuel Samuel Colt | colt revolver | 1847 |
| Coover, Harry Harry Coover | secondelijm | 1956 |
| Uitgeest, Cornelis Corneliszoon van Cornelis Corneliszoon van Uitgeest | houtzaagmolen | 1593 |
| Coster, Laurens Janszoon Laurens Janszoon Coster | boekdrukkunst | |
| Cristofori, Bartolomeo Bartolomeo Cristofori | piano | 1711 |
| Cruikshank, William William Cruikshank | gechloreerd drinkwater | 1800 |
| Crum, George George Crum | aardappelchips | 1853 |
| Curtis, John John Curtis | kauwgom | 1848 |
| Daguerre, Louis Louis Daguerre | fotografie | 1837 |
| Daimler, Gottlieb Gottlieb Daimler | motorfiets | 1885 |
| Davis, Jacob Jacob Davis | spijkerbroek | 1850 |
| Davy, Humphry Humphry Davy | veiligheidslamp/mijnlamp | 1815 |
| Denis, Jean Baptiste Jean Baptiste Denis | bloedtransfusie | 1625 |
| Derosne, Charles Charles Derosne | morfine als pijnstiller | 1803 |
| lucifer (fosfor) | 1816 | |
| Dewar, James James Dewar | thermosfles | 1892 |
| Diesel, Rudolf Rudolf Diesel | dieselmotor | 1897 |
| Donkin, Bryan Bryan Donkin | inblikken voedsel | 1812 |
| Doliwo-Dobrowolski, Michail Michail Doliwo-Dobrowolski | elektrische draaistroommachine | 1888 |
| Dowe, Herr Herr Dowe | kogelwerend vest | 1894 |
| Drebbel, Cornelis Cornelis Drebbel | voorloper van verrekijker | 1600 |
| thermometer | 1605 | |
| onderzeeboot | 1622 | |
| kunstbroederij | ||
| Dunlop, John Boyd John Boyd Dunlop | rubberband | 1880 |
| fietsband | 1888 | |
| Eads, James B. James B. Eads | duikerklok | |
| Eastman, George George Eastman | fotocamera | 1888 |
| Edison, Thomas Thomas Edison | gloeilamp | 1878 |
| fonograaf | 1877 | |
| cinematografie | 1877 | |
| Einthoven, Willem Willem Einthoven | elektrocardiogram | 1901 |
| Eisler, Paul Paul Eisler | printplaat | 1936 |
| Engelbart, Douglas Douglas Engelbart | computermuis | 1963 |
| Faraday, Michael Michael Faraday | rubberballon | 1824 |
| elektrische transformator | 1831 | |
| Fahrenheit, Gabriel Gabriel Fahrenheit | kwikthermometer | 1714 |
| Fick, Adolf Adolf Fick | contactlenzen | 1888 |
| Fischer, Gerhard Gerhard Fischer | metaaldetector | 1920 |
| Fleming, Alexander Alexander Fleming | penicilline | 1928 |
| Fleming, John Ambrose John Ambrose Fleming | vacuümdiode | 1904 |
| Forest, Lee De Lee De Forest | Audion | 1907 |
| Foucault, Léon Léon Foucault | slinger van Foucault | 1851 |
| gyroscoop | 1851 | |
| Forsyth, Alexander Alexander Forsyth | slaghoeddetonator | 1805 |
| Fourneyron, Benoît Benoît Fourneyron | waterturbine | 1827 |
| Franklin, Benjamin Benjamin Franklin | bliksemafleider | 1752 |
| Fresnel, Augustin Jean Augustin Jean Fresnel | soda | 1810 |
| lichtbreking | 1815 | |
| vuurtorenlens | 1822 | |
| Galvani, Luigi Luigi Galvani | elektriciteit | 1780 |
| Gatling, Richard Richard Gatling | machinegeweer | 1861 |
| Gatsonides, Maus Maus Gatsonides | Gatsometer | 1958 |
| Gayetty, Joseph Joseph Gayetty | toiletpapier | 1857 |
| Gay-Lussac, Louis Louis Gay-Lussac | hydrometer | 1824 |
| Geiger, Hans Wilhelm Hans Wilhelm Geiger | Geigerteller | 1923 |
| Germer, Edmund Edmund Germer | fluorescentielamp | 1926 |
| Gesner, Conrad Conrad Gesner | potlood | 1565 |
| Giffard, Henri Henri Giffard | luchtschip | 1852 |
| injector | 1858 | |
| Gillette, King Camp King Camp Gillette | wegwerpscheermesje | 1901 |
| Glidden, Joseph Joseph Glidden | prikkeldraad | 1874 |
| Goddard, Robert Hutchings Robert Hutchings Goddard | meertrapsraket | 1914 |
| vloeibare-brandstofraket | 1926 | |
| Goldman, Sylvan Sylvan Goldman | winkelwagen | 1937 |
| Goldmark, Peter Carl Peter Carl Goldmark | langspeelplaat | |
| Goodyear, Charles Charles Goodyear | gevulkaniseerd rubber | 1839 |
| Gramme, Zénobe Zénobe Gramme | dynamo | 1869 |
| Green, George F. George F. Green | tandartsboor | 1875 |
| Greathead, James Henry James Henry Greathead | tunnelgraafmachine | 1870 |
| Gross, Alfred J. Alfred J. Gross | portofoon | 1938 |
| 27 MC-radio | 1948 | |
| semafoon | 1949 | |
| Grubbe, Emile Emile Grubbe | radiotherapie | 1896 |
| Guericke, Otto von Otto von Guericke | elektriseermachine | |
| barometer (als weerglas) | 1661 | |
| dasymeter | ||
| Maagdenburgse halve bollen | 1654 | |
| vacuümpomp | 1650 | |
| manometer | 1661 | |
| Guglielminetti, Ernest Ernest Guglielminetti | asfaltweg | 1902 |
| Gutenberg, Johannes Johannes Gutenberg | boekdrukkunst | 1440 |
| Guthrie, Samuel Samuel Guthrie | chloroform (als anestheticum) | 1831 |
| Hales, Stephen Stephen Hales | ontdekker van bloeddruk | 1726 |
| Hancock, Thomas Thomas Hancock | elastiek | 1820 |
| aandrijfriem | 1824 | |
| Hargreaves, James James Hargreaves | Spinning Jenny spinmachine | 1764 |
| Heinlein, Robert Robert Heinlein | waterbed | |
| Heinz, F & J F & J Heinz | tomatenketchup | 1876 |
| Henry, Joseph Joseph Henry | relais | 1835 |
| Hertz, Heinrich Heinrich Hertz | radiotelegrafie | 1888 |
| Hewitt, Peter Cooper Peter Cooper Hewitt | kwiklamp | 1901 |
| Hill, Rowland Rowland Hill | postzegel | 1840 |
| Hoffmann, Felix Felix Hoffmann (Bayer) | aspirine als pijnstiller | 1899 |
| Hollerith, Herman Herman Hollerith | ponskaart | |
| Holonyak, Nick Nick Holonyak | led (light-emitting diode) | 1962 |
| Hornsby, Richard Richard Hornsby | compressieontsteking | 1892 |
| Hooke, Robert Robert Hooke | spiraalveer | |
| diafragma | ||
| Houten, Casparus en Coenraad van Casparus en Coenraad van Houten | cacaopoeder, cacaoboter | |
| Howe, Elias Elias Howe | naaimachine | 1846 |
| Hughes, David E. David E. Hughes | microfoon | 1878 |
| Hülsmeyer, Christian Christian Hülsmeyer | radar | 1904 |
| Huygens, Christiaan Christiaan Huygens | slingeruurwerk | 1656 |
| Huygens, Constantijn Constantijn Huygens | klinkerweg | 1646 |
| Ingersoll, Simon Simon Ingersoll | rotsboor | 1871 |
| Jablotsjkov, Pavel Pavel Jablotsjkov | Jablochkoff-kaars | 1876 |
| Jansen, Sacharias Sacharias Jansen | samengestelde microscoop | 1590 |
| Jacquard, Joseph-Marie Joseph-Marie Jacquard | zijdeweefgetouw | 1801 |
| Jenner, Edward Edward Jenner | vaccinatie | 1796 |
| Johnson, Samuel C. Samuel C. Johnson | meubelwas | 1886 |
| Johnson, Robert Wood Robert Wood Johnson | plakpleister | 1899 |
| Judson, Whitcomb Whitcomb Judson | ritssluiting | 1893 |
| Kannel, Theophilus Van Theophilus Van Kannel | draaideur | 1888 |
| Kay, John John Kay | schietspoel | 1733 |
| Kellogg, Edward W. Edward W. Kellogg | luidspreker | 1924 |
| Kellogg, John Harvey John Harvey Kellogg | cornflakes | 1876 |
| Kilby, Jack Jack Kilby | geïntegreerde schakeling | 1958 |
| Kipp, Petrus Jacobus Petrus Jacobus Kipp | toestel van Kipp | 1844 |
| Knight, Margaret Margaret Knight | papieren draagzak | 1868 |
| Kolff, Willem Willem Kolff | kunstnier | 1943 |
| kunsthart en hart-longmachine | ||
| Kompfner, Rudolf Rudolf Kompfner | lopende-golfbuis | 1943 |
| Laennec, René René Laennec | stethoscoop | 1816 |
| Lamarr, Hedy Hedy Lamarr | methode voor frequentieverspringing | 1941 |
| Landsteiner, Karl Karl Landsteiner | bloedgroepen | 1901 |
| Langley, Samuel Pierpont Samuel Pierpont Langley | bolometer | |
| Lawes, John Bennet John Bennet Lawes | superfosfaat of kunstmest | 1839 |
| Leeghwater, Jan Adriaanszoon Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater | duikerklok | 1605 |
| Leeuwenhoek, Antoni van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek | Van Leeuwenhoekmicroscoop | |
| bacteriën | 1675 | |
| bloedcellen | 1720 | |
| afgietseldiertjes | 1675 | |
| Leonardo da Vinci | helikopter (beschrijving) | |
| machinegeweren | ||
| tank | ||
| onderzeeboot (beschrijving) | ||
| Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm von Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz | binair stelsel | 1679 |
| Lenoir, Étienne Étienne Lenoir | automobiel | 1862 |
| motorboot | 1864 | |
| bougie | 1883 | |
| Libby, Willard Willard Libby | koolstofdatering | 1949 |
| Liebig, Justus von Justus von Liebig | kunstmest | 1845 |
| vleesextracten | 1865 | |
| Lilienthal, Otto Otto Lilienthal | zweefvliegtuig | 1877 |
| Linnaeus, Carolus Carolus Linnaeus | classificatie van dieren en planten | 1735 |
| Lion, Alexandre Alexandre Lion | couveuse | 1891 |
| Lippens, Polydoor Polydoor Lippens | elektrische bel | |
| Lippershey, Hans Hans Lippershey | telescoop | 1608 |
| Loomis, Mahlon Mahlon Loomis | radiotelegrafie | 1866 |
| Losev, Oleg Oleg Losev | Led | 1927 |
| Lumière, Auguste en Louis Auguste en Louis Lumière | cinematografie | 1895 |
| Macintosh, Charles Charles Macintosh | waterproof regenjas | 1823 |
| reddingsvest | 1824 | |
| Manby, George William George William Manby | brandblusser | 1816 |
| Marconi, Guglielmo Guglielmo Marconi | radio | 1894 |
| trans-Atlantische radiosignalen | 1901 | |
| Marggraf, Andreas Sigismund Andreas Sigismund Marggraf | methode voor fosforwinning | 1747 |
| Maria van Alexandrië | bain-mariesysteem | |
| Mariani, Angelo Angelo Mariani | Vin Mariani | |
| Mason, John Landis John Landis Mason | weckglas/inmaakglas | 1858 |
| Matthews, John John Matthews | priklimonade | 1833 |
| McAdam, John John McAdam | macadamweg | 1835 |
| McCoy, Elijah Elijah McCoy | automatische smering | 1872 |
| McGaffey, Ives W. Ives W. McGaffey | stofzuiger | 1869 |
| Maxwell, James Clerk James Clerk Maxwell | kleurenfotografie | 1861 |
| Mège-Mouriès, Hippolyte Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès | margarine | 1869 |
| Mestral, Georges de Georges de Mestral | klittenband | 1951 |
| Meucci, Antonio Antonio Meucci | telefoon (prototype) | 1849 |
| Michelin sr., Édouard Édouard Michelin sr. | luchtband | 1895 |
| Miramontes, Luis E. Luis E. Miramontes | anticonceptiepil | 1951 |
| Montgolfier, Joseph en Jacques Joseph en Jacques Montgolfier | heteluchtballon | 1783 |
| Moog, Robert Robert Moog | eerste commercieel succesvolle synthesizer | 1964 |
| Morse, Samuel Samuel Morse | morsecode | 1832 |
| Murdoch, William William Murdoch | gasverlichting | 1790 |
| Musschenbroeck, Pieter van Pieter van Musschenbroeck | Leidse fles | 1740 |
| pyrometer | ||
| Napier, John John Napier | logaritme | 1614 |
| Nasmyth, James James Nasmyth | stoomhamer | 1837 |
| Nernst, Walther Walther Nernst | Nernstlamp | 1897 |
| Niépce, Joseph Nicéphore Joseph Nicéphore Niépce | loopfiets (vélocipède) | 1818 |
| fotografie | 1826 | |
| Nobel, Alfred Alfred Nobel | dynamiet | 1862 |
| Ørsted, Hans Christian Hans Christian Ørsted | proces voor het verkrijgen van aluminium | 1824 |
| Onnes, Heike Kamerlingh Heike Kamerlingh Onnes | liquefactie van helium | 1908 |
| O'Brien, Marion Marion O'Brien | wegwerpluier | 1951 |
| Otis, Elisha Elisha Otis | personenlift (mechanisch) | 1852 |
| Oughtred, William William Oughtred | rekenliniaal | ±1622 |
| Palmieri, Luigi Luigi Palmieri | seismograaf | 1855 |
| Parkes, Alexander Alexander Parkes | celluloid | 1855 |
| Pascal, Blaise Blaise Pascal | barometer | 1647 |
| Parsons, Charles Algernon Charles Algernon Parsons | stoomturbine | 1884 |
| Pemberton, John John Pemberton | Coca-Cola | 1886 |
| Planté, Gaston Gaston Planté | loodaccu | 1859 |
| Plateau, Joseph Joseph Plateau | fenakistiscoop (stroboscoop) | 1836 |
| Plimpton, James L. James L. Plimpton | rolschaatsen | 1863 |
| Pullman, George George Pullman | Pullman-slaaprijtuig | 1863 |
| Radcliffe, William William Radcliffe | mechanisch weefgetouw | 1803 |
| Réard, Louis Louis Réard | bikini | 1946 |
| Reichel, Hans Hans Reichel | diverse muziekinstrumenten | |
| Reis, Philipp Philipp Reis | telefoon | 1860 |
| Remsen, Ira Ira Remsen | sacharine | 1880 |
| Rice, Chester W. Chester W. Rice | luidspreker | 1924 |
| Robiquet, Pierre Pierre Robiquet | pijnstillers | 1832 |
| Röntgen, Wilhelm Wilhelm Röntgen | röntgenapparaat | 1895 |
| Ruska, Ernst Ernst Ruska | elektronenmicroscoop | 1931 |
| Salk, Jonas Jonas Salk | salkvaccin | 1955 |
| Sasson, Steven Steven Sasson | digitale camera | 1975 |
| Savery, Thomas Thomas Savery | stoompomp | 1698 |
| Sax, Adolphe Adolphe Sax | saxofoon | 1840 |
| Schickard, Wilhelm Wilhelm Schickard | rekenmachine | 1623 |
| Schlafly, Hubert Hubert Schlafly | autocue | |
| Scholten, Willem Albert Willem Albert Scholten | aardappelmeel | 1838 |
| Schweigger, Johann Johann Schweigger | galvanometer | 1820 |
| Seeberger, Charles Charles Seeberger | roltrap | 1897 |
| Seguin, Marc Marc Seguin | kabelhangbrug Lyon | 1825 |
| Senefelder, Alois Alois Senefelder | lithografie | 1796 |
| Shrapnel, Henry Henry Shrapnel | explosiegranaat | 1804 |
| Siebe, Augustus Augustus Siebe | duikerspak | 1819 |
| Siemens, Werner von Werner von Siemens | telegraaf | |
| elektrische spoorweg | 1878 | |
| Sikorsky, Igor Igor Sikorsky | 1-rotorige helikopter | 1940 |
| Silliman, Benjamin Benjamin Silliman | koolzuurhoudend water | 1807 |
| Singer, Isaac Isaac Singer | naaimachine | |
| Slater, James James Slater | aandrijfketting | 1864 |
| Spencer, Percy Percy Spencer | magnetron | 1947 |
| Stephenson, George George Stephenson | stoomlocomotief | 1829 |
| Stevin, Simon Simon Stevin | zeilwagen | 1600 |
| Strowger, Almon Almon Strowger | telefooncentrale | 1891 |
| Stuart, Herbert Akroyd Herbert Akroyd Stuart | compressieontsteking | 1892 |
| Sturgeon, William William Sturgeon | elektromagneet | 1825 |
| Sutton, Thomas Thomas Sutton | kleurenfotografie | 1861 |
| Swan, Joseph Joseph Swan | gloeilamp | |
| kunstvezel op basis van nitrocellulose | 1883 | |
| Tainter, Charles Charles Tainter | Grafofoon | 1885 |
| Tesla, Nikola Nikola Tesla | wisselstroomgenerator | |
| Thimonnier, Barthlemy Barthlemy Thimonnier | naaimachine | 1829 |
| Thomson, Elihu Elihu Thomson | elektrisch lassen | 1877 |
| Thomson, Robert William Robert William Thomson | pneumatische band | 1845 |
| Torricelli, Evangelista Evangelista Torricelli | barometer (principe) | 1643 |
| Trevithick, Richard Richard Trevithick | stoomvoertuig | 1801 |
| locomotief | 1804 | |
| Tu, Youyou Youyou Tu | artemisinine | |
| Tull, Jethro Jethro Tull | zaaimachine | 1701 |
| Turri, Pellegrine Pellegrine Turri | schrijfmachine | 1808 |
| Tussaud, Marie Marie Tussaud | wassenbeeldenshow | 1801 |
| Vaaler, Johan Johan Vaaler | paperclip | 1900 |
| Vaucanson, Jacques de Jacques de Vaucanson | robot | 1738 |
| Vaughan, Philip Philip Vaughan | kogellager | 1794 |
| Volta, Alessandro Alessandro Volta | batterij | 1800 |
| Walker, John John Walker | lucifer | 1827 |
| Walton, Frederick Frederick Walton | linoleum | 1863 |
| Wanlass, Frank Frank Wanlass | CMOS | 1963 |
| Warner, Ezra Ezra Warner | blikopener | 1858 |
| Warren, Dave Dave Warren | vluchtdatarecorder | 1954 |
| Waterman, Lewis Lewis Waterman | vulpen | 1884 |
| Watt, James James Watt | stoommachine | 1764 |
| condensator | 1763 | |
| Wedgwood, Ralph Ralph Wedgwood | carbonpapier | 1806 |
| Wedgwood, Thomas Thomas Wedgwood | fotografie (niet fixeerbaar) | 1802 |
| Welsbach, Carl Auer von Carl Auer von Welsbach | gloeikousje | 1887 |
| Westinghouse, George George Westinghouse | luchtdrukrem | 1868 |
| Wheatstone, Charles Charles Wheatstone | microfoon | 1827 |
| stereoscoop | ||
| Whitney, Eli Eli Whitney | katoenontkorrelmachine, cotton gin | 1793 |
| Whittle, Frank Frank Whittle | straalmotor | 1936 |
| Whitworth, Joseph Joseph Whitworth | universele schroefdraad | 1841 |
| Willem Beukelszoon | haring kaken | ±1400 |
| Woodland, Norman Joseph Norman Joseph Woodland | streepjescode | 1949 |
| Woods, Granville T. Granville T. Woods | inductietelegrafie | 1885 |
| Wright, gebroeders gebroeders Wright | vliegtuig | 1903 |
| Yale, Linus Linus Yale | cilinderslot | 1851 |
| Zeidler, Othmar Othmar Zeidler | DDT | 1874 |
| Zeppelin, Ferdinand von Ferdinand von Zeppelin | Zeppelin | 1900 |