1. Gunpowder

One of the most amazing new uses for old inventions is also the case of gunpowder which is actually a mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur and charcoal and which has been used for centuries to power fireworks and firearms. But before it’s been used as a propelling charge, this substance was thought to have medicinal value and based on it, Chinese alchemists tried to develop an “elixir of immortality”.

2. Bag Balm

Bag Balm was an ointment introduced by John L. Norris in 1899 used to treat irritated udders. It actually proved so effective that the farmers had begun to use it to heal the skin of other animals as well like horses or any kind of domestic pets. Later, a small study using this ointment has showed that some men began to regrow hair after using it and this eventually led to a new patent application of that formula and it’s now used to treat baldness.

3. Teflon

I’m sure you all know what Teflon is being used for today but when Roy J. Plunkett developed this slippery inert polymer in 1938, the company he worked for (DuPont) sold it to the U.S. military which used it in artillery shell fuses and in the production of nuclear material for the Manhattan Project. After the war, DuPont looked for ways to incorporate this material into a consumer product and developing a nonstick cookware seemed to be a good idea.

4. Messenger Pigeons

I know that messenger pigeons are not really an invention but they did have a different use in the past. In the 12th century, Genghis Khan, the Mongol conqueror used pigeons to send messages and instructions across his vast empire that stretched from China to the Black Sea. Now, scientists from the University of California are using messenger pigeons to collect data about California smog.

5. Duct Tape

Duct tape was first developed by the researchers at the Permacel division of Johnson & Johnson and its purpose was to keep the ammunition cases dry during World War II. The invention was very strong and waterproof and it even had the color of ducks. Today the usefulness of duct tape is widely recognized and people are using it to make everything from handbags to raincoats and shoes.

6. Temper Foam

Temper Foam was first meant to be a pressure-absorbing material that could improve conditions for human survival in impacts and it was mainly used in making astronauts’ suits. Now, Temper Foam is used in a variety of things from ejection seats to ski boots and football helmet liners.

7. Retro-reflection

Retro-reflection is a process used in creating traffic signs, bicycle reflectors and high-visibility safety clothing and it also improves the experience of night driving. Yet, in the mid-2000, the scientists at the University of Tokyo invented a thing called optical camouflage which uses a garment made from retro-reflective material and if you wear this garment, you could appear invisible to a viewer standing right in front of you.

There are a lot of old inventions that are still being used today, even if their purpose is now very different. Do you know any other new uses for old inventions? Please tell us about them in the comments section!

Sources:
science.howstuffworks.com