List of Mexican inventions and discoveries

Last updated

Mexican inventions and discoveries are objects, processes or techniques invented or discovered, partially or entirely, by a person from Mexico. These also include concepts or practices introduced by Mexican people and their indigenous ancestors. Some of the objects, processes or techniques developed in the Pre-Columbian era were also invented or discovered independently in other cultures. This list shows only inventions and discoveries first introduced in present-day Mexican territory, or those that vary significantly in concept, figure, or use.

Contents

Pre-Hispanic

Musical instruments

A drawing from the 16th century Florentine Codex showing a One Flower ceremony with a teponaztli (foreground) and a huehuetl (background). Aztec drums, Florentine Codex..jpg
A drawing from the 16th century Florentine Codex showing a One Flower ceremony with a teponaztli (foreground) and a huehuetl (background).

Art

Wall painting in Teotihuacan. Wall painting in Teotihuacan.jpg
Wall painting in Teotihuacan.

Calendrics

Aztec Sun stone Monolito de la Piedra del Sol.jpg
Aztec Sun stone

The earliest texts considered to be almanacs have been found in the Near East, dating back to the middle of the second millennium BC. But almanacs were invented independently by the Maya peoples. Their culture arose, and presumably began using almanacs, around 3,500 years ago, while Europeans are known to have created written almanacs only after 1150 CE. Almanacs are books containing meteorological and astronomical information, which the Maya used in various aspects of their life. [1]

Engineering

The Palace and aqueduct at Palenque The Palenque Palace Aqueduct Beautiful.jpg
The Palace and aqueduct at Palenque
Toilet in Teotihuacan. Toilet in Teotihuacan.jpg
Toilet in Teotihuacan.
The Palace Observation Tower at Palenque. The Observation Tower.jpg
The Palace Observation Tower at Palenque.

Metal production

Copper bells, axe heads and ornaments from various parts of Chiapas (1200-1500) on display at the Regional Museum in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. CopperBellsAxesOrnamentsTuxtla.JPG
Copper bells, axe heads and ornaments from various parts of Chiapas (1200–1500) on display at the Regional Museum in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas.

The Olmec may have developed compasses for navigation and astronomical study that were made out of lodestones.

Games and entertainment

Food preparation

A tamal dulce breakfast tamal from Oaxaca, Mexico. It contains pineapple, raisins and blackberries. Tamal de zarzamoras.png
A tamal dulce breakfast tamal from Oaxaca, Mexico. It contains pineapple, raisins and blackberries.
Molcajete used to grind spices Spices being ground (8265483071).jpg
Molcajete used to grind spices

Crops and cultivation

Chia seed measuring 2 mm Seed of chia (Salvia hispanica)Salvia hispanica profile.jpg
Chia seed measuring 2 mm
Native Oaxaca criollo avocados, the ancestral form of today's domesticated varieties Criollo avocados de Oaxaca.png
Native Oaxaca criollo avocados, the ancestral form of today's domesticated varieties
One of the remaining chinampas in Xochimilco Chinampa.JPG
One of the remaining chinampas in Xochimilco

Livestock

Fashion

Page from the Codex Mendoza depicting warriors wearing Ichcahuipilli armor, and wielding fans and tepozli(spears). Codex Mendoza folio 67r.jpg
Page from the Codex Mendoza depicting warriors wearing Ichcahuipilli armor, and wielding fans and tepozli(spears).

Dog breeds

Artist Diego Rivera with a Xoloitzquintle at the Casa Azul Diego Rivera with a xoloitzcuintle dog in the Blue House, Coyoacan - Google Art Project.jpg
Artist Diego Rivera with a Xoloitzquintle at the Casa Azul

Body armor

Dentistry

Medication

Aztec Herbal Medicines [18]
Botanical nameNahuatl nameUses
Artemisia mexicana ItztuahyatlWeakness, colic, reduce fever; coughing
Bocconia frutescens CococxihuitlConstipation, abscesses, swelling
Bromelia pinguin Mexocotlheat blisters in the mouth
Carica papaya Chichihualxo-chitlLatex unripe fruit for rash ulcer; ripe fruit digestive
Casimiroa edulis Cochitzapotlsedative
Cassia occidentalis or Cassia alata TotoncaxihuitlAstringent, purgative, anthelmintic, relieves fever, inflammation of rashes
Chenopodium graveolens EpazotlAgainst dysentery, anthelmintic, helps asthmatics breathe
Euphorbia calyculata Cuauhtepatli; chupiriPurgative, skin ailments, mange, skin sores
Helianthus annuus Chilamacatlfever
Liquidambar styraciflua Ocotzotl; xochiocotzotl quanhxihuitlRashes, toothache, tonic for stomach
Montanoa tomentosa CihuapatliDiuretic, oxytocic, cures hydropesia
Passiflora jorullensis CoanenepilliCauses sweating, Diuretic, pain reliever, poisons and snake bites
Perezia adnata PipitzahuacPurgative, cathartic, coughing, sore throat
Persea americana Auacatl; ahuaca quahuitlAstringent, treat sores, remove scars
Pithecolobium dulce QuamochitlAstringent, causes sneezing, cures ulcers and sores
Plantago mexicana AcaxiloticVomit and cathartic
Plumbago pulchella Tlepatli; tletlematil; itzcuinpatliDiuretic, colic, gangrene
Psidium guajava XalxocotlDigestion, dysentery, mange
Rhamnus serrata TlalcapulinDysentery, bloody bowels
Salix lasiopelisQuetzalhuexotlStops blood from rectum, cures fever
Schoenocaulon coulteri; Veratrum frigidum ZoyoyaticCauses sneezing, kills mice/lice/flies
Smilax atristolochiaefolia MecapatliCauses sweating, diuretic, relieves joint pain
Tagetes erecta CempohualxochitlCauses sweating, cathartic, cures dropsy
Talauma mexicana yolloxochitlComforts heart, used against sterility
Theobroma cacao CacahuaquahuitlExcess diarrhea, can cause dizziness

Math

An illustration of the Pre-Columbian abacus: the Nepohualtzintzin Pulseras Nepohualtzintzin.jpg
An illustration of the Pre-Columbian abacus: the Nepohualtzintzin

Sports

A solid rubber ball used (or similar to those used) in the Mesoamerican ballgame, 300 BCE to 250 CE, Kaminaljuyu. The ball is 3 inches (almost 8 cm) in diameter, a size that suggests it was used to play a handball game. Behind the ball is a manopla, or handstone, which was used to strike the ball, 900 BCE to 250 CE, also from Kaminaljuyu. Mesoamerica - manopla and ball.jpg
A solid rubber ball used (or similar to those used) in the Mesoamerican ballgame, 300 BCE to 250 CE, Kaminaljuyu. The ball is 3 inches (almost 8 cm) in diameter, a size that suggests it was used to play a handball game. Behind the ball is a manopla, or handstone, which was used to strike the ball, 900 BCE to 250 CE, also from Kaminaljuyu.
This page from the Codex Tovar depicts a scene of gladiatorial sacrificial rite, celebrated on the festival of Tlacaxipehualiztli. Tovar Codex (folio 134).png
This page from the Codex Tovar depicts a scene of gladiatorial sacrificial rite, celebrated on the festival of Tlacaxipehualiztli.

Behavioral products

Chemical

Social

List of Maya numerals from 0 to 19 with underneath two vertically oriented examples Mayan numerals 0-19 & 2 vertical examples.gif
List of Maya numerals from 0 to 19 with underneath two vertically oriented examples

Commerce

Alcoholic beverages

Health and hygiene

Pictogram of an Aztec temazcal in the Codex Magliabechiano Codex Magliabechiano (folio 77r).jpg
Pictogram of an Aztec temazcal in the Codex Magliabechiano

Astronomy

Maya observatory: El Caracol Chichen Itza 4.jpg
Maya observatory: El Caracol

Colonial

Industrial

Economy

Spanish dollar coin minted in Mexico City c. 1809 Spanish Dollar, minted in Mexico City 1809.jpg
Spanish dollar coin minted in Mexico City c.1809

Food

Quesadillas served at a Friendly's restaurant in New Jersey Dinner at Friendlys restaurant quesedillas.jpg
Quesadillas served at a Friendly's restaurant in New Jersey

Music and musical instruments

George and Laura Bush at the White House with Mariachi Campanas de America. President George W. Bush and Laura Bush pose for photos with singer Shaila Durcal, Dorio Ferreira Sanchez and the Mariachi Campanas de America.jpg
George and Laura Bush at the White House with Mariachi Campanas de América.

Alcoholic beverages

Sports

A Charro making a risky "suerte" (Trick). CHARRO HACIENDO SUERTES CON SU REATA.jpg
A Charro making a risky "suerte" (Trick).

Fashion

Ranching and farming

Chemical

Modern

Construction and civil engineering

A tridilosa, in the ceiling of the Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte, Mexico Tridilosa.JPG
A tridilosa, in the ceiling of the Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte, Mexico

Chemical

Antidotes

Pharmaceutical

Automotive

Mastretta MXT side Mastretta-MXT-lg.jpg
Mastretta MXT side

Transport

Aviation

Firearms

The influence of the G36 receiver, AK styled gas piston and Mexican recoil delaying system can all be seen in this partial cut away of a first generation FX-05 Xiuhcoatl. FX-05 Cutaway.jpg
The influence of the G36 receiver, AK styled gas piston and Mexican recoil delaying system can all be seen in this partial cut away of a first generation FX-05 Xiuhcoatl.

Military technology

Veracruz (fore) and Guanajuato (rear) at Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico ARM Veracruz Progeso.jpg
Veracruz (fore) and Guanajuato (rear) at Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico

Music and musical instruments

Students at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Mexico City dancing in the quebradita style CCMDonation98.jpg
Students at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Mexico City dancing in the quebradita style

Fashion

Art

Food

Nachos with cheese, chicken, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole NachosAtAngelStadium.jpg
Nachos with cheese, chicken, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole

Games and celebration

A nine-pointed star pinata PINATA.jpg
A nine-pointed star piñata

Dog breeds

Alcoholic beverages

Modern technologies

A mouse and mousepad HP mouse and mousepad 20060803.jpg
A mouse and mousepad

Communications

Sports

Padel area at ISPO 2014 Padel Tennis Arena ISPO 2014.jpg
Padel area at ISPO 2014

Political

Industrial

Tortilla machine Maquinas-Tortilladoras N 1.jpg
Tortilla machine

Medical

Discoveries

References

  1. Sharer, Robert (2006). The Ancient Maya . Stanford University Press. p.  127. ISBN   9780804748179. maya almanac origin.
  2. Walker, C. 1980, p. 162.
  3. Coe, M. 2008, p. 193.
  4. Şentürk, Fuat (1994). Hydraulics of Dams and Reservoirs. Water Resources Publication. p. 6. ISBN   978-0-918334-80-0.
  5. "Ancient Mayans Likely Had Fountains and Toilets". Live Science. December 23, 2009.
  6. Murrin, John (2014). Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People Sixth Edition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning. p. 17. ISBN   978-0495904991.
  7. Aveni, Anthony F., Gibbs, Sharon L., Hartung, Horst (June 1975). "The Caracol Tower at Chichen Itza: An Ancient Astronomical Observatory?". Science. 188 (4192): 977–985. Bibcode:1975Sci...188..977A. doi:10.1126/science.188.4192.977. PMID   17759669. S2CID   10865295.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. see Hosler 1988, 1995.
  9. Hosler 1988, Pendergast 1962.
  10. Encyclopedia of American Indian Contributions to the World
  11. Encyclopedia of American Indian Contributions to the World
  12. . Aztec History. Retrieved February 2015.
  13. "16 Indian Innovations: From Popcorn to Parkas". Archived from the original on September 17, 2004.
  14. "Transoceanic drift and the domestication of African bottle gourds in the Americas", Kistler et al, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, February 10, 2014.
  15. "UF researchers discover earliest use of Mexican turkeys by ancient Maya". EurekAlert!. August 8, 2012.
  16. Emory Dean Keoke (2002), Encyclopedia of American Indian Contributions to the World: 15,000 Years of Inventions and Innovations, Checkmark Books, ISBN   9781438109909
  17. Phillips, Charles "The Complete Illustrated History of the Aztec & Maya: The Definitive Chronicle of the Ancient Peoples of Central America & Mexico – Including the Aztec, Maya, Olmec, Mixtec, Toltec & Zapotec" 2015.
  18. Ortiz de Montellano, Bernard. (1975). Empirical Aztec Medicine. Science. 188. 215-20. 10.1126/science.1090996.
  19. "The Prehispanic Computer? The Nepohualtzintzin". Chispa Magazine. September 1986.
  20. . Manufacturing: A Historiographical and Bibliographical Guide. Retrieved February 2015.
  21. Halber, Deborah (July 14, 1999), Rubber processed in ancient Mesoamerica, MIT researchers find, MIT News
  22. . Top 5 Ancient Aztec Inventions. Retrieved February 2015.
  23. Kramer, Miriam (January 2013). "Ancient Maya Predicted 1991 Solar Eclipse". Live Science .
  24. "Alternative Road Design: Here's How a Continuous Flow Intersection WorksIntersection". August 9, 2016.
  25. Encyclopedia of the American West. Retrieved February 2015.
  26. "CRT Cursor Control Mechanism Pad". Xerox Disclosure Journal. November–December 1979. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  27. Lawrence, E. O., McMillan, E. M., & Alvarez, L. W. (1960). Electronuclear Reactor (No. US 2933442).
  28. "What's behind Mexico's indelible ink?". euronews. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  29. .Chronicles of Bernal Díaz del Castillo, Manuel Villagómez, TIA and Tortilla Topics
  30. CONACYT informe
  31. . Vision learning