In the past, Portugal invented the astrolabe and the
caravel, but in more recent times there have been many other inventions that
many people will not realise were invented by people from Portugal.
Here we highlight some of the best recent inventions that
have come from Portuguese inventors.
Microphone sponge ball
Whether on radio, or television, journalists are seen with
their microphones, but unlike singers, the professionals in the world of
communications have a sponge ball on their mics. The object was invented by
Jaime Filipe, an engineer that worked on the Portuguese TV channel RTP. In
1981, he invented the first wind ball for mics, which would allow the sound to
be recorded with more quality, as it helps with the equalization of the sound.
![](https://tpn-1.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media/9357/Wheelchair-elevator.jpg)
Wheelchair elevator
Jaime Filipe was a busy man and not only did he invent the
ground breaking feature for microphones, he also used his engineering skills
for more inventions. The engineer also invented an elevator for wheelchairs,
now seen on stairs or even for entering trains. Jaime Filipe received a couple
of awards for this invention in Brussels and also in Ginebra.
![](https://tpn-1.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media/8801/Multibanco.jpg)
Other countries already had ATM Machines, but Portugal took
a little bit longer to bring this high street staple to the people as they were
studying different features. In 1985, the first ATM network was placed in
Lisbon and Porto. The Portuguese ATMs are probably the most complete ones to
ever exist. Besides withdrawing money, it is possible to pay bills and even pay
for a public transport card and buy train tickets.
More recently, Portugal invented MBWay, a simpler way of
managing money through the cell phone. With MBWay, it is possible to transfer
money that will enter instantly into another person's bank account. Companies
already offer the chance of paying on online shops through MBWay. The app also
facilitates withdrawing money from ATMs and paying at the supermarket, only
using the phone. In 2022, ECO stated that there are four million MBWay users.
![](https://tpn-1.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media/9358/Via-Verde.jpg)
Via Verde is an easier way of paying toll charges when
travelling on toll roads and motorways. The device was invented by researchers
working at the University of Aveiro, and it has been in use since 1991. The
device allowed the reduction of the queues to pay the tolls on motorways. With
Via Verde, drivers may continue their trip without having to stop to pay. As
soon as the driver passes by the gantry the system will automatically take the
money from the driver’s bank account. This system may also facilitate people
that drive on the SCUTs as the payment must be made online or in a CTT store.
With Via Verde the payment is made at the moment of the trip, so the driver may
be rested after a road trip.
It is estimated that 10 percent of the male population, in
the world, is colour blind, but a Portuguese graphic designer used his skills
to make their life easier. Coloradd is a system of colour identification
through symbols. It may be seen in school manuals, but also on crayons boxes,
hospitals and other objects, where colours may be an important feature. Each
symbol is linked to a colour, helping those who may not see all the colours the
way they are. Coloradd allows people to understand graphs better, for example.
International feedback
Most of the inventions mentioned are used worldwide after
being created in Portugal, the rest of the world found these ideas interesting
and took them to their countries.
And you? Did you know about these Portuguese inventions?
Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463.
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Correction - Via Verde does not take payment from your bank at the moment you pass through. The charge comes off roughly weekly - if each pass through was shown separately, some bank statements would be onerloaded.
By Doug from Algarve on 29 Jan 2023, 07:43
I also believe that pre-paid mobile cards were a Portuguese invention
By Martyn from Algarve on 29 Jan 2023, 17:16
This is beyond silly and hilarious
By Joao from Algarve on 29 Jan 2023, 21:00
Joao, the only person who knows things. Automatic polo payment was invented in Norway, the ATM machine was a invented in England and pre paid phone cards were invented in America.
Sorry but no Portuguese invention has changed the world since half a millennium. Portugal isn't Taiwan, Israel, South Korea, Switzerland or any other small innovative country that truly has changed the world. This article is completely ridiculous.
By Hart from Lisbon on 30 Jan 2023, 06:32
Even if true, it’s a sad list not worth the article or the headline.
By John from USA on 30 Jan 2023, 11:53
I had heard that the Portuguese developed 5G phones, obviously not invented phones, but refined a system!
By Dougal Gow from Algarve on 30 Jan 2023, 12:58
@Hart. Portugal may no longer be the technological powerhouse that it once was, but Taiwan, South Korea, Israel and Switzerland combined have not accomplished 10% of what Portugal accomplished between 1400 - 1800. And I guess Portugal isn't doing everything wrong today either, since you seem to live here.
By Edmund from Lisbon on 31 Jan 2023, 17:22
Enough of the snobbish comments already! We should be proud that we have successful inventions from Portugal.
By Lisa from Other on 31 Jan 2023, 19:42
No Portugal did not invent the astrolabe.
The author started off on a false premise and went off the rails
By Joao from Algarve on 06 Feb 2023, 04:15