Filipino Inventors and their Inventions

Moon Buggy: Invented in 1968 by Eduardo San Juan. He was the project leader for
NASA in the buggy development: An underfunded and underappreciated engineering
success. This one has special significance to me, due to my Grandfather working at the
Cape in the early space program. The moon buggy allowed greater exploration of the
Moon, yet Eduardo San Juan’s contribution has been relegated largely to status as a
footnote.

Erythromycin: Invented (Discovered) by Dr. Abelardo Aguilar in 1949. He sent a

sample to Eli Lilly, who promptly stole the idea and patented it, and later marketed it
successfully. Aguilar discovered the antibiotic from the Aspergillus species of fungi in
1949 and sent samples to Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly Co. The drug firm
allegedly registered the propriety name Iloson for the antibiotic in honor of Iloilo province
where Aguilar discovered it. Erythromycin, the generic name of Iloson, was reportedly
the first successful macrolide antibiotic introduced in the US. Remember kids, this is
why the great inventors always go to attorneys first… He never received a single peso
from his product, that saved millions of lives (Thank him if you are allergic to penicillin!).
Video Phone: Invented by Gregorio Zara, in 1955 no less! When James Bond was
using one in Dr. No, it had already been in existence a number of years. This is the
predecessor of the camera in your mobile!

Computer Microchips: Many types were invented by Diosdado Banatao, beginning

with the world’s first 16-bit chip in 1972, which he invented while working at
Commodore. This led to the development of GUI (The thing that makes the graphics on
this page…). Why should you care? Without GUI, you would now be looking at a page
filled with nothing but a bunch of ones and zeroes.

Isolated Rice Breeds: In 1966, Dr. Rodolfo Aquino isolated nine specific breeds of rice
for the International Rice Research Institute. His discoveries helped prevent famine in
much of Asia, and were nearly solely responsible for Thailand and Vietnam becoming
the world’s leading rice producers (A spot once solely occupied by the Philippines.).
Drug Detection: Dr. Enrique Ostrea developed the method for detecting drug use by
pregnant females by detecting traces in the baby’s stools. His method is used by
doctors worldwide in diagnosing drug dependency in infants.

Karaoke: Invented in 1975 by Roberto del Rosario. I really thought this was a Japanese
invention, despite its’ popularity here, and I was completely wrong. A brilliant guy, he
invented many other musical devices, but Karaoke will always be remembered as his
greatest triumph (or bane to humankind, depending on your point of view.)

FLORESCENT BY AGAPITO FLORES

Agapito Flores is the reason why the world becomes brighter. A Filipino Inventor who
is known for his funnel of the Fluorescent light tube invention – one of the most
commonly used lighting device in the world.
INCUBATOR BY FE DEL MUNDO
Medical Incubator: Invented in 1941 by Fe del Mundo. She was the first Asian student
in Harvard’s School of medicine. Countless young lives were saved by her invention
and genius.

.FEMININE HYGIENE BY DR. VIRGILIO MALANG

QUINK INK INVENTED BY FRANCISCO QUISUMBING

an innovative ink at that time and was further developed to work with Parker Pens.
Aside from being quick drying, it was also water-resistant, did not clog the pen opening,
does not blot and will not fade. It is considered one of the best selling ink for fountain
pens of the millennium.