By: Group of 4th ESO PDC IES Montevil – Gijón, Asturias from Spain

 Spanish culture is centuries old and its contribution to the world is evident and undeniable. For better and for worse, we leave a mark.

Our language travels and is learned all over the world. Our gastronomy is well known (jamón, tortilla paella, tapas…); we have universal artists (Cervantes, Picasso, Gaudí…); travelers continue to seek landscape, sun and party in the most touristic areas of our country. We are related to ancient traditions such as flamenco, siesta or toros, but we continue to bring young talent in different fields such as sports (Nadal, Alcaraz, Mireia Belmonte…) music (Rosalía) or cinema (Penélope Cruz).

In this report, however, we wanted to explore the scientific field and for that we have collected some inventions. Less well-known contributions, which also show the creativity and innovative capacity of our culture and dismantle the usual clichés.

Inventions that changed the day to day

• The Telekino: The grandfather of the remote control.

Some of the objects we use today around the world were born from brilliant Spanish minds. More than 120 years ago, in 1903, the engineer Torres Quevedo presented the Telekino in Bilbao leaving everyone amazed.  It was one of the first remote control systems in history. Today, from drones to your TV controller exist thanks to this invention advanced in its time.

• The cube and the mop: A revolution at home

They are simple objects, but their combination changed the lives of millions of people. Before, cleaning the floor meant kneeling with dirty rags. In the 1950s, Manuel Jalón thought about making household cleaning more efficient and less harmful for women of the time. One of the Spanish inventions with a social impact, as important as today’s cleaning robots.Not content with that, he continued to bring global ideas like plastic disposable syringes.

Ingenio y Defensa: El carácter español

Over the centuries, the Spaniards have had to adapt to difficulties with cunning, whether on the battlefield or in daily life.

• The Spanish Knife

Born between the 16th and 17th centuries, the knife is an example of ingenuity in the face of adversity. When the use of swords was restricted to the civilian population, this folding knife emerged as a practical and self-defense tool, becoming a piece of craftsmanship famous worldwide.

• Military Tactics: From the Thirds to the Guerrilla

Spain’s military history has also left its mark. In the 16th century, the Flemish Tercios revolutionized combat with their organization and discipline in major battles. Centuries later, during the 19th century, Spain popularized «guerrilla warfare» by defending itself from France: rapid and surprise attacks by small groups, a strategy now studied in every military academy around the world.

• The submarine

Isaac Peral developed in 1888 one of the first electric submarines in history. His prototype, successfully tested, incorporated technological advances that were well ahead of its time, such as the use of electric batteries for propulsion. It laid the foundations of modern submarine navigation.

Taste and sweetness: Have you ever tried a Chupa Chups?

In 1956, the Catalan Enric Bernat had the idea of attaching a candy to a stick, which received recognition from both large and small. Children were less dirty and choked; a sweet accessible to all. The trade name is an onomatopoeia that recalls the sound of enjoying candy.   Dalí created his logo in 1969.

Board games: baraja española, Parchís and Oca

Spaniards like to have fun, always. And for the dull afternoons we adapted some old board games that are very common in all family gatherings: the deck of cards, the Parcheesi game and the game of the Goose. The deck has cards different from the French naipes or the Americans. The Parchís and the Oca are dice games where luck and strategy are combined, with very peculiar boards.

We have finished for today with our list of simple but great ideas, which started as a local solution and ended up becoming an international reference. Far from the most repetitive topics, Spain has brought talented ideas to the world. Our culture continues to demonstrate its ability to influence, surprise and reinvent itself on a global scale.