Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

10 Swiss Inventions That Might Surprise You

Published by

Karl

on

10 Swiss Inventions That Might Surprise You

When people think of Switzerland, the first things that usually pop up are watches, mountains, chocolate, and maybe Heidi. Fair enough — those are all true clichés. But here’s the fun part: Switzerland has quietly shaped the modern world in ways most people never give it credit for.

I’ve lived with some of these inventions my whole life without realizing they were Swiss. So today, let me share 10 Swiss creations that might surprise you — ranked from the biggest “Wait, what?!” to the more familiar ones.

🥇 1. The Electric Toothbrush (1954, Basel)

This one blew my mind. The very first electric toothbrush came from Switzerland — invented by Dr. Philippe-Guy Woog in Basel back in 1954. Imagine that: a Swiss dentist making mornings around the world just a little less painful.

🥈 2. Velcro (1941, Neuchâtel)

On a hike in the Alps, a Swiss engineer noticed burrs sticking stubbornly to his dog’s fur. Instead of swearing at them, he got curious. Georges de Mestral took a closer look under the microscope, saw those tiny hooks, and boom — Velcro was born. From shoes to NASA spacesuits, all thanks to a Swiss dog walk.

🥉 3. Cellophane (1908, La Chaux-de-Fonds)

Cellophane started with a failure. Jacques Brandenberger wanted to make a waterproof tablecloth. It didn’t work out. Instead, he ended up creating the first see-through food wrap. Sometimes failure wraps up better than success.

4. Aluminium Foil (1910, Zürich)

That shiny roll in your kitchen drawer? The very first aluminium foil plant started in Zürich in 1910. It replaced the old heavy tin foil and has been with us ever since. I never thought of aluminium foil as “Swiss,” but apparently it is.

5. Helvetica (1957, Zürich)

If you’ve ever read a subway sign, looked at a logo, or just opened Word, you’ve met Helvetica. Born in 1957 in Zürich, this typeface became the most popular font in the world. Clean, modern, everywhere. It’s so invisible we barely notice it — which is kind of the point.

6. LSD (1938, Basel)

Now this one is wild. Albert Hofmann, a chemist at Sandoz in Basel, synthesized LSD in 1938. Years later, he accidentally discovered its psychedelic effects while biking home. That bicycle ride changed culture, psychiatry, and music in ways he probably couldn’t have imagined.

7. Nescafé (1938, Vevey)

Instant coffee started in Switzerland. Nestlé wanted a way to preserve Brazil’s surplus coffee beans, and Max Morgenthaler cracked the code. Nescafé was born in Vevey in 1938. Like it or not, this jar of convenience spread everywhere.

8. Absinthe (18th Century, Val-de-Travers)

The “Green Fairy” that inspired painters, poets, and plenty of myths wasn’t French at all — it came from Switzerland’s Val-de-Travers. Banned for a long time, now it’s back as a quirky cultural drink.

9. The Swiss Army Knife (1891, Ibach)

Here’s the classic. The Swiss Army Knife was created in 1891, designed as one tool to do it all. Over a century later, it’s still the ultimate pocket companion. Reliable, practical, very Swiss.

10. Milk Chocolate (1875, Vevey)

Of course we end with chocolate. Daniel Peter teamed up with Henri Nestlé in 1875 to mix cocoa with condensed milk. That was the birth of milk chocolate — and Switzerland’s sweet reputation.

Wrapping It Up

I love lists like these because they remind me how much we take for granted. Who knew the same country that gave us alpine cows and cowbells also gave us the electric toothbrush, Velcro, and LSD?

It makes me smile to think about it: next time I brush my teeth, wrap leftovers in foil, or just type in Helvetica, I’ll remember — that’s a little slice of Swiss creativity at work.

👉 Which one surprised you the most? For me, it was the electric toothbrush, particularly as I was born and grew up in Basel.

Sources & References

One response to “10 Swiss Inventions That Might Surprise You”

  1. Rolf Avatar
    Rolf

    Yes, the electric toothbrush was the inly one I didn’t know about.

    And what would the world do without wrapping film and alu foil??? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment

This blog is for thoughtful adults who are starting again — in learning, creativity, or life — and want to grow steadily without noise or pressure.

Here you’ll find daily reflections and practical guides shaped by lived experience. The focus is on learning through doing: building consistency, adapting to change, and finding clarity in everyday practice.

The stories and guides here come from real processes — creative experiments, hands-on projects, life in rural Japan, working with nature, and learning new skills step by step. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is polished for performance. The aim is steady progress, honest reflection, and practical insight you can actually use.

If you’re curious about life in Japan, learning new skills at your own pace, or finding a calmer, more intentional way forward, you’re in the right place.

Recent posts

Receive Daily Short Stories from Karl

You can unsubscribe anytime with a few button clicks.

Continue reading