Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Spanish Inventors Who Shaped Our World

I owe you all an apology for the late start in honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. Between life and some technical issues with my website, I’m only now able to share this post on September 22. But even if I’m a little behind, I believe it’s never too late to celebrate culture, history, and the people whose legacies continue to shape our world.

As someone with Pakistani roots, I’ve always been fascinated by the ways cultures overlap across continents. Food, language, music, traditions—all carry threads of history that weave us together in surprising ways. The Spanish influence, for example, spread far and wide, leaving traces in language, art, and technology that echo even today. Much like in South Asia, where centuries of exchanges with Persia, Central Asia, and Europe left deep imprints, Spanish history is also a story of blending and sharing knowledge.

So while Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor Latin American communities and their contributions, I wanted to pause on one specific thread of that shared heritage: Spanish inventors whose ideas and creations still shape our modern lives. These innovators remind us that culture isn’t just about art and tradition—it’s also about curiosity, ingenuity, and the courage to imagine something new.

Here are five Spanish inventors whose work continues to impact the world:

1. Ángel Rodríguez Ruiz – The Submarine Periscope (1902)

While submarines existed before, it was Rodríguez Ruiz who invented the modern periscope system that allowed safe observation from underwater. His design made submarines far more effective and reliable—a concept still used in today’s naval engineering.

2. Isaac Peral – The Electric Submarine (1888)

Peral, a naval engineer, built the world’s first fully electric-powered submarine. Although it wasn’t adopted by the Spanish Navy at the time, his creation was revolutionary, paving the way for modern submarines used across the world.

3. Juan de la Cierva – The Autogyro (1923)

Aviation history often highlights the Wright brothers, but Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva invented the autogyro, the precursor to the helicopter. His invention introduced rotary wings that later inspired the development of the helicopters we use today.

4. Manuel Jalón Corominas – The Mop (1956)

Yes, something as everyday as the mop! Spanish inventor Manuel Jalón Corominas revolutionized housework by creating the mop and bucket system with a wringer. It saved people—especially women at the time—from having to scrub floors on their hands and knees, making cleaning more efficient and hygienic.

5. Leonardo Torres Quevedo – The Remote Control (1903)

Long before TV remotes or drones, Torres Quevedo invented a system called “Telekino,” essentially the first remote control. He successfully demonstrated it by steering a boat remotely—technology that has since evolved into everything from remote-controlled toys to space exploration robotics.

Closing Thoughts

When we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s easy to focus on the arts, music, and food (all of which are vibrant and essential). But innovation is part of heritage too. These Spanish inventors remind us that creativity takes many forms—and that the things we take for granted in daily life, from cleaning our floors to flying in helicopters, carry with them stories of brilliance and cultural legacy.

As I reflect on this, I’m reminded that honoring heritage—whether Hispanic, Pakistani, or any other—means recognizing both the beauty of traditions and the innovations that change our world. And while I may be a little late in posting, the respect and admiration I feel for these contributions are timeless.