Romania might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of inventions that changed the world, but this small and lesser-known nation has had an undeniable impact on the world.
Yes, many people probably never heard of Romania – and many more so have no idea where the country is on the world map…
Actually, if it wasn’t for vampires and Dracula, even fewer people would’ve known about it. This means that, if it never existed, things wouldn’t be much different, right?
Well, that’s definitely not the case, and today we’ll see (some of the reasons) why.
I stumbled upon an extremely nice YouTube video that I am sharing with you, titled “The World Without Romania.” Spend five minutes to check it out below and see that this country has indeed contributed a lot to the modern world (just like, I am sure, most countries on this planet have).
I know it’s more of a history lesson than anything, but it certainly is one of the most enjoyable ones about Romania – one that shows that even the smallest and seemingly least important countries on this planet still managed to influence it in a positive and substantial way.
Romania’s Game-Changing Inventions
If you don’t want to go through the entire video above, here are some of the Romanian inventions that changed the world – as well as other things that make this country so important and a world without Romania a bleaker, sadder, and worse place to live in:
The Fountain Pen: Invented by Romanian innovator Petrache Poenaru, the fountain pen revolutionized the way we write. This tool paved the way for modern writing instruments and forever changed education and documentation.
Cybernetics: Stefan Odobleja, a less famous figure (by global standards), is regarded as the father of cybernetics. His work laid the foundation for fields like computer science and robotics, influencing everything from today’s smart devices to AI.
Insulin: Insulin was co-discovered by Romanian scientist Nicolae Paulescu. Without it, modern diabetes treatment as we know it would be unimaginable. This discovery has saved countless lives, showing just how important Romania’s impact on medicine – and the world itself – has been.
To learn even more, I recommend checking out my previous article sharing some amazing fun facts about Romania.
The Jet Engine: Henri Coanda invented the world’s first jet plane. Coanda’s jet engine led to the development of faster, more efficient air travel, for which so many people are probably thankful today.
Speaking of which… if you want to personally test the advancements of flight in today’s world, you can read more about Romania’s international airports here.
History of Religions: Mircea Eliade, a leading scholar in the history of religions, wrote the first book to study religion from a comparative perspective. Eliade’s work influenced countless academics and changed how we understand the role of religion in human societies.
Romania’s Own ‘Baseball’ Game: Known as Oina, this sport is believed to have influenced baseball, since the two are VERY similar – but Romania’s Oina has been around since the year 1,364 (so aaround 100 years before America was discovered). Pretty interesting, right?
Why Romania Still Matters Today
We’re going through difficult times now – not just us, Romanians, but the entire planet, and I guess that now is the perfect time to acknowledge the importance of every country on this planet, of every soul out there.
Every contribution matters, especially in a world as connected as ours. Romania’s innovations have reached far beyond the country’s borders and influenced the lives of so many people.
And there are even more things that would’ve been different today, in a world without Romania. Here are other important landmarks, inventions or things that make Romania matter today – and will make it matter in the future as well.
1. Ana Aslan, a pioneering Romanian scientist and physician, created Gerovital H3, one of the first anti-aging treatments in the world. Her work not only made waves globally but also set the foundation for modern anti-aging and longevity research.
2. Romanian surgeon Constantin Ion Parhon helped design an early version of the hypodermic needle, which enabled safer, more effective injections and medical treatments worldwide.
3. Romanian sculptor Constantin Brâncuși is considered the father of modern sculpture. His minimalist and abstract approach influenced artists around the world, including major art movements in the 20th century.
Some of his works can be admired for free in the city of Targu Jiu – so make sure to put it on your “to visit” list when you get here.
4. There are many other things, of course. For example, Romania just became the largest natural gas producer in the European Union (source here).
Combine all these and you will reach my conclusion, too: the world without Romania would be a sadder place.
- 2025 Summer Vacation in Romania or Bulgaria: Which One Is Better? - November 12, 2024
- Top 15 Cities in Romania (to Visit in 2025) - November 12, 2024
- The American Dream Is Dead - November 6, 2024
I can’t imagine a world without Romania! I love writing old-fashioned letters with a fountain pen. I had no idea a Romanian invented the fountain pen!
To be honest, I didn’t know some of those things myself 🙂 It’s a shame that we our schools sometimes forget to teach us about some of these things and important people from the past. I also love writing with a fountain pen, although I haven’t used one in a long while.
Without Romania, there would have never been the woman I met and married, and that’s the best thing ever. Although, Henri Coanda’s jet is pretty darn cool.
You’re right, though… everybody and every country matters. Stay safe and healthy out there, Calin.
Well put, Jim! I totally agree – all the inventions in the world don’t mean a thing compared to our loved ones. Stay safe as well!
There would have been no Illy coffee either. I remember. It would be a crappy world indeed without Romania. I wouldn’t have met you or your lovely family. That l was able to do that certainly makes Romania great! :-). Stay safe and healthy.
Yes, indeed, the coffee world wouldn’t be the same either 🙂 Thank you for the nice words! Stay safe as well.