How Aussie Engineers Changed the World

Australia punches above its weight in many areas: sport, music and movie stars just to name a few. But it’s also home to some of the most brilliant engineering minds that have ever existed. Aussie engineers have left their mark on the world with inventions that are more revolutionary than sliced bread (though we can’t claim that one, sadly). Here are 5 of the most life-changing innovations made by Aussies! 

Google Maps

Bet you didn’t know Google Maps was invented right here in Australia! The concept wasn’t actually created by Google itself, but rather by 2 Australians and 2 Danish brothers in Sydney. The platform was then bought by Google and has since revolutionised the way the world gets around. Without it, we’d all have to actually listen when your Dad spends 15 minutes describing the route to somewhere over an hour away in insane detail. 

The Electric Drill

In a world without Australian engineers, you’d have to assemble flat-pack furniture with nothing but a hand-held screwdriver (good luck if you’re left-handed lol). But thanks to a duo of miners from Melbourne, drilling perfectly sized holes to hang a trinket shelf is an absolute breeze. 

The Cochlear Implant

There was a time when the only time you heard about any of the 5 senses being restored was in religious texts. That was until Australian doctor, Graeme Clark, led a team of engineers to create the first multi-channel hearing aid in the 70s. This was the first device that allowed people who were severely to profoundly deaf to understand speech. 

WiFi

Inventions don’t get much bigger than wireless internet. You probably use it every waking hour of your life. Imagine only being able to watch reels when your phone’s plugged into an ethernet cable – I wouldn’t dare wish it on the ops. 

The Inflatable Emergency Slide

If you’re a Hamish and Andy fan, you’d already be well-versed with the inflatable slide used to exit a plane in an emergency. But what you might not know is that these too were invented by Aussies. These lightweight, compact slides revolutionised aeroplane safety, even in the very unlikely event of an emergency landing. 

Engineering doesn’t just solve today’s problems; it opens up possibilities for even more breakthroughs. Is your idea of success making the world a better place? Or maybe you’ve always dreamed of making history. Either way, engineering could be your ticket to greatness. To find out how to launch your engineering career, check out our new academy Engineered For Impact.