Flight Data Recorder – The Black Box (1953)

Tasmanian-raised scientist Dr David Warren (1925 – 2010) invented the first modern flight data recorder, a breakthrough device that captures cockpit audio and flight information. Developed in 1953, his innovation transformed aviation safety worldwide and became mandatory equipment on commercial aircraft, allowing investigators to understand and prevent future accidents.

Fairy Bread (1929)

The first known mention of Fairy Bread (bread, butter and 100s and 1000s) appears in The Mercury newspaper of Hobart in April 1929. No individual creator was identified, so the originator remains unknown; the treat is credited culturally to Tasmania rather than a specific person.

Notebook (1902)

J.A. Birchall (1855-1937), a stationer from Launceston, did not invent the modern bound notebook, but rather a specific innovation: the first commercial tear-off writing pad. In 1902, he glued stacks of evenly cut paper sheets onto a cardboard backing, creating a portable notepad that allowed pages to be easily removed. This simple idea became the foundation of the modern writing pad used worldwide.

Humidicrib (1930s–40s)

Tasmanian brothers Edward Owen Both (1908–1987) and Donald George Both (1910–2000) transformed neonatal medicine with their creation of the Humidicrib in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Designed as a low-cost, portable incubator, the Humidicrib dramatically improved survival rates for premature babies and made neonatal care more accessible across Australia and internationally. Their innovative approach to medical engineering placed Tasmania at the forefront of early neonatal technology.

 Automatic Record Changer (1920)

Tasmanian inventor Eric Newham Waterworth (1904-1997) created one of the world’s earliest automatic record-changing mechanisms in the 1920s. His design allowed multiple gramophone records to play sequentially without manual intervention, marking a groundbreaking step toward the development of modern turntables. Waterworth’s invention gained recognition in Tasmania, Sydney and later the United States, establishing him as a pioneer in early audio technology.

 Automatic Record Changer (1920)

Tasmanian inventor Eric Newham Waterworth (1904-1997) created one of the world’s earliest automatic record-changing mechanisms in the 1920s. His design allowed multiple gramophone records to play sequentially without manual intervention, marking a groundbreaking step toward the development of modern turntables. Waterworth’s invention gained recognition in Tasmania, Sydney and later the United States, establishing him as a pioneer in early audio technology.

 Automatic Record Changer (1920)

Tasmanian inventor Eric Newham Waterworth (1904-1997) created one of the world’s earliest automatic record-changing mechanisms in the 1920s. His design allowed multiple gramophone records to play sequentially without manual intervention, marking a groundbreaking step toward the development of modern turntables. Waterworth’s invention gained recognition in Tasmania, Sydney and later the United States, establishing him as a pioneer in early audio technology.