Behind Every Single Invention Is an Italo-American!
by Vince?Daliessio
Many of us of Italian ancestry grew up being regaled by older relatives with tales of how Italians originated such important discoveries such as radio (Marconi) electricity (Galvani, Volta), fiber-optic cable (Catania), and the Hoagie (Pulcinella, DiCostanza, Cimino).
Now the Italian Government has given legitimacy to our claim to another invention - the telephone was originally invented by Antonio Meucci of Staten Island, by way of Firenze (Florence to you non-Italians).
(links courtesy of Mike Rogers)
Comments
I think that two things should be mentioned as a sidenote:
1. We are very America-centric. I'm not saying that American's don't do some great things. It's just that we marginalize foreigners if there is a competing American we can latch onto.
2. Enough importance cannot be placed upon the entreprenuer in addition to the inventor. Edison, contrary to popular belief, did not invent the first lightbulb. However, he took an idea that was dismissed by its true inventor as not being feasible for consumer use and made it so. Edison the entreprenuer was much more important to humanity than Edison the inventor.
Point #2 is especially well-taken in this case, because Meucci's biggest failure was entrepreneurial. He could not attract the funding to get his invention patented or produced because, in part, he could not communicate effectively in English. Alexander Graham Bell, on the other hand, could.
The point is though, the charming little story we were taught in school "Come here Watson, I want you" was total crap. Recognition was also established in US Congress.... http://www.house.gov/fossella/pr020611.htm
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