In this article, we will take a look at 20 countries with the most inventions in all human history. You can also check out the 25 Most Important Inventions of the 21st Century.
Numerous inventions have shaped our modern lifestyle, transforming our outlook on the world and how we spend our time. Innovation allows businesses to create unique products and services that differentiate them from their competitors. More than 80% of digitally advanced companies identify innovation as one of their main strengths.
Companies that consistently innovate to understand and meet customer needs excel at attracting new customers and retaining existing ones. Around 65% of rapidly growing companies report working with their customers on potential innovations.
Disruptive innovation transforms an industry by creating a new value market, ultimately displacing an existing one. A prime example of this is Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX). Initially, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) operated a DVD-by-mail service. However, the game changed when the company shifted to online streaming. This move revolutionized how people consume media, moving away from traditional DVD rentals.
The video streaming market is currently valued at approximately $105.09 billion. It is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated $303.05 billion in the next five years, illustrating the impact of disruptive innovation. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.59% over the forecast period between 2024 and 2029.
AT&T (NYSE:T) is another American multinational company known for its investments in research and development. In 1925, AT&T (NYSE:T) established a groundbreaking research and development division known as Bell Telephone Laboratories, widely recognized as Bell Labs. This division became known for its significant contributions, such as advancements in radio astronomy, the invention of the transistor, and the development of the photovoltaic cell.
Another prime example of a company supporting innovation is Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) launch of the iPhone in 2007 is a classic case of radical innovation. At the time, the iPhone merged three unique products: a mobile phone, a touch-screen iPod, and a portable device for email, navigation, and web browsing. Today, over 120 million Americans own an iPhone, highlighting its lasting impact.
Research and development expenses for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) have consistently increased each year since 2013, totaling just over $175 billion by the end of the fiscal first quarter of 2024. A significant portion of these growing R&D expenses is aimed at maintaining the company’s leadership in the smartphone market. Since incorporating 5G wireless technology into its flagship iPhone in late 2020, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has seen its share of the domestic smartphone market soar to over 50%.
Here’s what Polen Capital said about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in its Q1 2024 investor letter:
“The largest relative contributors to the Portfolio’s performance during the first quarter were SAP, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) (not owned), and Amazon.
The zero weight to Apple was another notable relative contributor in the quarter. More recently, Apple has come under pressure from a confluence of issues ranging from a weak iPhone cycle, market share erosion in China, mounting regulatory pressureb around App Store fees in Europe, and a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department accusing the company of anticompetitive practices in its iPhone business. All this has resulted in the stock down -11% year to date, underperforming the overall Index by -19%—Apple’s worst relative performance quarter since 2013. It remains a great business and one we follow, but we’re content not owning it right now, given its growth prospects relative to its valuation.”
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Our Methodology
To compile the list of the 20 countries with the most inventions throughout history, we consulted reputable sources, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Fortune, Insead, and Insider Monkey. As comprehensive historical data on all inventions is not readily available, we relied on these sources to identify the countries with the greatest number of inventions. We then used data from WIPO to analyze the innovation index and the number of patents for each shortlisted country. Many of the countries that were highly innovative in the 18th and 19th centuries have continued to invest heavily in research and development. Therefore, our ranking is based on the total number of patent grants by applicants’ origin from 1980 to 2022, reflecting both historical and ongoing innovation efforts.
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20 Countries with the Most Inventions in All Human History
20. Denmark
Total Patent Grants = 115,910
Danish innovation is driven by design and sustainability. The country leads in wind turbine tech, showing its commitment to green solutions. It’s also known for simple yet impactful inventions like dry batteries, typewriters, and the beloved LEGO toy created by Ole Kirk Christiansen. Currently, leading Danish firms such as Lundbeck and LEO Pharma, alongside numerous emerging biotech companies, are at the forefront of producing innovative pharmaceutical products.
19. Australia
Total Patent Grants = 132,143
Australia’s inventors have made significant contributions to modern life, such as in Wi-Fi technology, which is essential in today’s digital era. Australia is also known for medical breakthroughs like the ultrasound scanner, which has had a profound impact on global healthcare. Additionally, everyday essentials like refrigerators and electric drills have roots in Australian innovation.
18. India
Total Patent Grants = 133,808
India’s rich history of innovation spans from ancient mathematics to modern technology. One of its most significant contributions is the introduction of zero and decimal numbers, revolutionizing mathematics. In the field of healthcare, India developed the affordable Rotavac vaccine to combat rotavirus. Additionally, the invention of the plow in India simplified agricultural practices.
17. Spain
Total Patent Grants = 138,132
Spanish innovation mixes practicality with creativity. Emilio Bellvis invented the mop, while Emilio Herrera Linares developed the space suit. The cable car, another Spanish invention, transformed public transportation. Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) shows that Spain has seen three consecutive years of growth in R&D investment. This growth rate is outpacing the nominal GDP.
16. Belgium
Total Patent Grants = 148,296
Belgium introduced the world to the saxophone, created by Adolphe Sax. It’s also the birthplace of the Smurfs, iconic cartoon characters created by Peyo. Belgium is also known for the invention of contraceptive pills, plastic, and the concept of Body Mass Index (BMI).
15. Austria
Total Patent Grants = 166,749
Austria is among the top 15 countries with the most inventions in all human history. Josef Madersperger’s sewing machine revolutionized the textile industry. Additionally, Red Bull, the energy drink that reshaped modern branding and consumer energy needs, originated in Austria.
14. Finland
Total Patent Grantts = 173,330
Finland excels in technology and design, famously developing the Linux operating system by Linus Torvalds. This invention has powered millions of computers worldwide. Finland is also credited with the invention of dish-drying closets and wireless heart rate monitors. In 2021, Finland announced an objective to increase its spending on research, development, and innovation to 4% of its GDP by the end of 2030. One-third of RDI funding will be sourced from public funds, while the remaining two-thirds will come from private investments.
13. Canada
Total Patent Grants = 290,377
Canada’s innovation is evident in its diverse contributions, from practical inventions like the snowmobile by Joseph-Armand Bombardier to lifesaving discoveries like insulin, co-discovered by Frederick Banting. Canada also invented the electric wheelchair and the jetliner.
12. Sweden
Total Patent Grants = 335,383
Sweden’s approach to innovation is holistic, focusing on sustainability and quality of life improvements. The three-point seatbelt, invented by Nils Bohlin, has saved countless lives globally. Sweden also invented the pacemaker. Sweden has frequently ranked at the top of the European Innovation Scoreboard, an annual index published by the European Commission.
11. Italy
Total Patent Grants = 382,596
Italy’s inventions are both stylish and practical. The country introduced the espresso machine, refined by Achille Gaggia, showcasing Italian craftsmanship and love for coffee. Italy remains at the forefront of innovation today, with over 105,000 high-tech companies.
10. Netherlands
Total Patent Grants = 408,278
Dutch innovation is driven by a need to solve environmental and spatial challenges. The invention of the microscope by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek revolutionized biology. The Netherlands continues to lead in areas like water management and sustainable agriculture. Invented by Philips engineers in 1962, the compact cassette is another one of Netherland’s inventions that revolutionized portable music consumption.
9. Switzerland
Total Patent Grants = 467,941
Switzerland’s inventions often combine usefulness with a simple, compact design. The Swiss Army Knife, designed by Karl Elsener, is an example of that. Another well-known Swiss creation is Velcro, invented by George de Mestral in 1955. Moreover, cellophane, created by Jacques E. Brandenberger in 1908, was one of the first transparent packaging materials.
8. United Kingdom
Total Patent Grants = 606,871
In the UK, innovation is diverse and impactful. Tim Berners-Lee, for instance, brought us the World Wide Web, transforming global communication. Additionally, Alexander Graham Bell, originating from the UK, was a Scottish-Canadian inventor credited with inventing the first telephone.
7. Russia
Total Patent Grants = 631,317
Throughout history, Russia has made substantial contributions to science and technology. Dmitri Mendeleev’s creation of the Periodic Table in 1869 is among its notable inventions. As technology and innovation increasingly drive economic growth, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development projects that the country’s high-tech exports will increase to 400-670 billion rubles by 2025.
6. France
Total Patent Grants = 1,114,128
The stethoscope, invented by René Laennec, revolutionized medical diagnostics. France was also the origin of the hot air balloon, where the Montgolfier brothers developed the first hot air balloon in 1783. France is among the top 10 countries with the most inventions in all human history.
5. Germany
Total Patent Grants = 2,190,350
Germany secures the fifth place on our list of countries with the most inventions globally. The automobile, developed by Karl Benz, transformed global transportation. Moreover, the European Innovation Scoreboard reported that Germany’s innovation score in 2022 surpassed the European Union average.