Portuguese inventions

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Portugal is known for its rich history in marine exploration and scientific achievements. Although the history of Portugal is often associated with great navigators such as Vasco da Gama and Fernão de Magalhães, it goes beyond geographical discoveries, as there were significant contributions to the development of inventions in various fields of science. This article highlights the very events that have influenced the modern world.

Portuguese inventions

The Caravel: Revolutionizing Maritime Navigation

One of the famous inventions of Portugal in the 15th century was the ship, which played a decisive role in the Age of Discovery – caravel. It was a light and fast vessel, ideal for exploring the open sea. Its characteristics made it possible to sail against a headwind. Thanks to this ship, new sea routes to the African continent were explored.

Before the invention of the caravel, ships were quite heavy to perform the necessary maneuvers at sea. The invention of a light vessel removed many research restrictions. The caravel, due to its reduced weight, suitable size and equipped with lateen sails (triangular in shape), provided greater mobility in the open sea and facilitated navigation off the coast, where it was easy to run aground or run into a block of stone underwater.

Thanks to the caravel, Portugal became the main maritime empire of the time. Exploration of new lands, expansion of their trade routes – all this developed at a decent speed. Without this invention, the history of global exploration would have been very different.

In Portuguese, caravel is “Caravela”, which is the name of our school. The reason our school has this name is not only a tribute to the Portuguese invention. This has a deep meaning. One day, Caravela became the very knowledge that leads us to places we never even dreamed of.

The Nautical Astrolabe: Precision in Navigation

Another important invention that marked the beginning of the Age of Discovery was the improvement of the naval astrolabe. Although the astrolabe was originally a Greek invention, the Portuguese adapted and improved the instrument for maritime navigation. The naval astrolabe allowed sailors to calculate latitude by observing the height of celestial bodies above the horizon.

Despite the fact that earlier sailors tried in every possible way to ensure safe navigation, relying solely on approximate calculations, magnetic compasses, currents and wind required additional technical assistance, which is exactly what the astrolabe became. In the unfamiliar zones where the discoverers went, the conditions changed completely, which could affect the correct construction of the route, because it was risky to rely on the usual behavior of water and atmospheric phenomena, and no one had yet drawn maps for uncharted lands. To help the compass, a tool was needed that would allow one to focus on something stable.

The Cascais Tide Gauge: Advances in Sea Level Measurement

The Cascais tide gauge is a Portuguese invention of the late 19th century, created by the Portuguese engineer Luis Gonzaga Ribeiro de Carvalho. The device was installed in the city of Cascais in 1882 and became the first instrument in the world to accurately and continuously measure sea level fluctuations, namely the ebb and flow of the tides.

Externally, a tide gauge can be a metal structure with sensors and measuring devices, installed on a pier or in close proximity to the sea. The most advanced models may include electronic components that automatically record data and send it for later analysis.

The Cascais tide gauge is a remarkable example of how Portuguese engineering contributed to the development of world scientific knowledge. The device was used for several decades and provided important data for studying and predicting sea level rise due to climate change.

Neon Gas: Modern Lighting

One of the most revolutionary inventions in lighting also has Portuguese roots. Portuguese physicist and chemist Francisco de Almeida Henriques was a pioneer in the study of the electrification of gases, including neon. Known for its bright and colorful illumination, neon gas has been widely used in illuminated signs and urban advertising since the early 20th century.

Although neon gas has been known since the late 19th century, Almeida Henriques contributed to the development of methods for using this gas in lamps and lighting tubes. This Portuguese invention transformed the urban landscape and influenced modern design and architecture.

The Passerelle: A Legacy in Civil Engineering

Another Portuguese figure worthy of attention is the engineer Edgar Cardoso, known for his innovations in civil engineering and the construction of revolutionary bridges. He introduced the passerelle technique, a design that allows the creation of suspension bridges in difficult conditions.

Cardoso used this technique in the construction of the Arrábida Bridge in Porto and the Marechala Carmona Bridge in Vila Franca de Xira. His innovations helped develop new methods of bridge construction, allowing for lighter, stronger and more efficient structures. Edgar Cardoso’s technique has spread beyond Portugal, and you can now see his ideas in designs all over the world.

Via Verde: Pioneering Electronic Toll Systems

In the 20th century, one of the most significant inventions in the field of transport technology was the Via Verde system, created in Portugal in the 1990s. Via Verde was the world’s first national electronic toll collection system that allowed vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping by automatically collecting tolls through a device installed in the vehicle.

The Via Verde system was quickly adopted in other countries and inspired the development of similar systems around the world. This is an example of how Portugal provides solutions that improve traffic efficiency and make life easier for drivers around the world.

Multibanco: Innovation in the Banking Sector

Portugal also distinguished itself by creating the Multibanco system in the 80s of the last century. This ATM system not only allows you to withdraw cash and make deposits, but also offers a wide range of services such as bill payments, bank transfers and ticket purchasing.

The Multibanco platform pioneered the integration of multiple banking services into a single machine, becoming the benchmark for ATM systems around the world. The Portuguese achievement of Multibanco has increased the convenience and accessibility of financial transactions.

Conclusion

If you might have heard about the great Portuguese navigators in geography lessons, then the rest of the Portuguese discoveries probably went unnoticed. People use what humanity invents, but do not question the origin of its author. We have revealed these secrets for you in this article.

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