Vinyl, as in those LPs you still cherish and play on a turntable. Invented by a University of Washington chemical engineering grad student in 1926. The automated fish cleaner, single-handled water faucet, portable heart defibrillator, kidney dialysis machine, the bone marrow transplant procedure, and the abrasive water jet cutter.
All invented in Washington state too.
Just like cellular networks, the pellet stove, the Seattle Foot, coin counters, smartphone ultrasound, a non-invasive remover of heart artery plaque, and a handy item you may have heard of called the Sonicare toothbrush. Not to mention the jumbo jet, water skis, the down parka and some software you may have heard of.
A total of 59 Washington state inventions are featured at a great interactive timeline from the state commerce department.
Dig in and explore. And here’s one for all you rock ‘n roll animals.