German inventions
34 entries in the German Inventions compendium.
9×19mm ParabellumThe most popular handgun and submachine gun cartridge worldwide.Abbe refractometerBench-top device for high-precision refractive index measurement.AccordionA bellows-driven free-reed instrument with melody and accompaniment sections.Acoustic torpedoSelf-guided torpedo that homes on target noise.Advent calendarA calendar counting Advent days toward Christmas.AggregatNazi German ballistic missile series leading to the V2.Selective laser meltingLaser-based additive manufacturing that fully melts metal powder.AmobarbitalBarbiturate sedative-hypnotic, used as truth serum and for Wada test.AmphetamineCNS stimulant used for ADHD, narcolepsy, and binge eating disorder.Angle grinderHandheld power tool for grinding, cutting, and polishing.AnilineSimplest aromatic amine, key industrial chemical and dye precursor.Anode rayBeams of positive ions observed in gas-discharge tubes.Aqua scooterEast German engineer's underwater scooter enabled Baltic escape.ArricamArri's flagship sync-sound camera line, replacing the Arriflex 535.ArsphenamineFirst effective treatment for syphilis and first modern antimicrobial.Autofahrer-Rundfunk-InformationssystemGerman FM traffic information system using a 57 kHz subcarrier.BandoneonA concertina central to Argentine and Uruguayan tango.BarbiturateDepressant drugs derived from barbituric acid, used medically and recreationally.Barkhausen–Kurz tubeFirst vacuum tube oscillator to reach UHF frequencies.BB creamMulti-tasking cream serving as foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen.Benz Patent-MotorwagenFirst practical automobile and first production car.Benz VeloFirst standardized serial production car, introduced by Carl Benz in 1894.Bergius processCoal hydrogenation process for synthetic fuel production.Bosch–Meiser processIndustrial process for large-scale urea manufacturing.BrandtaucherOldest known surviving submarine, sank in 1851 and later raised.Buchholz relayGas detector relay for oil-filled transformer protection.Büchner funnelLaboratory filtration device using vacuum suction for rapid separation.Bunsen burnerA laboratory gas burner producing a controlled, hot flame.CarabinerA metal loop with a spring-loaded gate for quick connections.CarburetorDevice that mixes air and fuel for gasoline engines.Ceiling fanCeiling fans circulate air for cooling or heating without changing temperature.Chariot clockFigural mantel clock in chariot form, popular from 16th century.Chinese checkersA German strategy board game marketed as Chinese checkers.Claus processDesulfurization process recovering elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide.
Browse German inventions in the interactive codex →