There are many Bulgarian inventions acknowledged internationally, way beyond the Bulgarian yogurt and the 1st computer.
Doing the research for this post, I get impressed to found that Bulgarians have invented various devices that have become part of our daily life and some even have changed the world.
1- The First Digital Electronic Computer
Invented by John Atanasov during the 1930s at Iowa State College, this is my favorite for the impact that has in the world, it’s difficult to imagine modern life without computers.
John Atanasov was born on October 4, 1903, in Hamilton, New York, his father was a Bulgarian immigrant, Atanasov visited Bulgaria twice, in 1975 and 1985. He visited Boyadzik village and was warmly welcomed by the locals and his father’s relatives. He was made an honorable citizen of the town of Yambol, and received the “Key of the Town”. He was also given various titles by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
The John Atanasov prize is awarded every year in Bulgaria. The 3546 Atanasoff asteroid found at the Bulgarian astronomic observatory of Rozen, was named after him
Check The unknown history of John Atanasoff, The Son of a Bulgarian Emigrant That Changed The World
2-The Automatic Automotive Transmission
Invented by Rumen Antonov. It reduces fuel spending and is quite applicable to smaller cars. (I have an automatic transmission in my car, then special thanks).
Rumen Antonov escaped to the West from Bulgaria in 1988 at the age of 44. Antonov’s unique automatic automotive transmission is licensed to several leading car manufacturers by Antonov Automotive Technologies.
3-The Oral Contraceptive Pills
Invented by Carl Djerassi – a chemist of Jewish, Austrian, and Bulgarian origin. A big advance in family planning.
Djerassi participated in the invention in 1951, together with Mexican Luis E. Miramontes and Hungarian-Mexican George Rosenkranz, of the progestin norethisterone—which, unlike progesterone, remained effective when taken orally and was far stronger than the naturally occurring hormone. His preparation was first administered as an oral contraceptive
4- The Cyrillic Alphabet
Used by most Slavic people nowadays across Eastern Europe, Russia and other countries. This alphabet was invented by St. Clement of Ohrid, based on its Glagolitic alphabet by Sts. Cyril and Methodius.
5 – Battery Using Solar Energy
Invented by Dimitar Chernev received worldwide recognition for his invention. This discovery is the first of its kind that helps the use of solar energy for heating and cooling. Great contribution in the green energy field.
6-The digital wristwatch
Invented by Petar Petrov. The first one was created and sold in 1969, a wonderful invention the first step in the continuous evolution, today we have already intelligent watches. He also invented a device that can measure air pollution.
7- Space Food
Invented by Cvetan Svetkov in 1972. The method they used preserves all nutrients in the food, which also keeps its shape despite the temperature. The freeze-dried foods created are for meals under harsh conditions and are produced by modern methods known as cryobiotech.
8- The telephone system for automatic answering and message recording
Invented by Assen Yordanov, which received a patent in the United States, In May 1921 Asen Yordanov and his wartime friend, Alexander Stoyanov, read about a contest to fly around the world in 100 days.
The first plane to make it would win one million dollars. Yordanov and his partner were fully supported by the then prime-minister Aleksandar Stamboliyski and were granted US$6,000 /participation fee-US$2500/ by the Bulgarian Ministry of War to participate in the initiative, and they traveled to the US. However, Yordanov and Stoyanov were the only candidates and therefore the contest was postponed and later canceled.
Nonetheless, Yordanov decided to remain in the United States, where he later found his new home. He also anglicized his surname to “Jordanoff”.
9- The Air Bag
The world’s first airbag, meant to ensure the safety of pilots and automobile drivers alike, was designed by Jordanoff in (1957). Nowadays the airbags are an important part of automobile safety and have saved many human lives.
10- the Bulgarian Yogurt,
Yogurt is the most popular variety of yogurt in the world, it is their exclusive invention and heritage that dates back many centuries.
11- Chushkopek
Chushkopek (Bulgarian: Чушкопек, literally: pepper-roaster) is a uniquely Bulgarian kitchen appliance for roasting peppers and aubergines.
A chushkopek is a cylindrical oven with an opening on the top. Long sweet peppers are placed inside, the lid is placed, and within several minutes the pepper is ready. Due to the appliance’s design, the pepper is evenly roasted across all its surface, leaving a blackened skin which is then easily removed.
The chushkopek was voted “Bulgaria’s Household Revolution of the 20th Century” in a 2009 campaign by Bulgarian National Television.
If you think there are others that should be included, please leave a comment with your proposal!
