What is Australian Intelligence?

When you think of the Australian backyard, there’s nothing more iconic than the Hills Hoist Clothesline. Or perhaps your childhood is filled with memories of closing off the local cul-de-sac, pulling together the neighbours with the Johnson’s wheelie bins, and bowling a few tennis balls for a summer session of cricket?

But did you know that Australia’s knack for innovation extends far beyond the backyard? Our country’s history is rich with inventions that have made significant global impacts, showcasing a spirit of ingenuity and resilience that we call Australian Intelligence?.

Celebrating Iconic Australian Inventions

Everyday Revolutionary Inventions

Hills Hoist Clothesline

Coming from Adelaide ourselves we can't go past this quintessential piece of Australian Manufacturing History.

The Hills Hoist exemplifies the essence of Australian Intelligence? through its innovation, resilience, and problem-solving ingenuity. The journey began in 1945 when Lance Hill, inspired by a prototype from Gerhard “Pop” Kaesler, sought to create an efficient clothes drying solution. Hill’s wife needed a replacement for their old line and prop, crowded out by a growing lemon tree. In response, Hill engineered a rotary clothes hoist in his backyard, addressing a practical household need with a simple yet revolutionary design. His brother-in-law, Harold Ling, joined him after World War II, significantly expanding production and marketing efforts. Despite competing designs and post-war resource constraints, their collaborative effort led to the widespread adoption of the Hills Hoist.

This innovative rotary clothesline quickly became a household staple, renowned for its durability and practicality. Hills Hoists even withstood extreme conditions, famously surviving Cyclone Tracy in 1974. The transition from initial backyard production to a major industrial enterprise, Hills Industries, highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and adaptive problem-solving that characterises Australian innovation. The Hills Hoist’s success is a testament to overcoming adversity and creating transformative solutions, embodying the spirit of Australian Intelligence? that turns everyday challenges into globally recognised innovations.

Victa Lawnmower

Another post World War II innovation was the rotary lawnmower. It seemed my grandparent's era had a thing for making things spin.

In August 1952, Mervyn Victor Richardson epitomised the entrepreneurial spirit of Australian Intelligence? by developing the Victa rotary lawnmower. Facing the challenge of cumbersome and inefficient predecessors, Richardson created a lightweight, affordable prototype using a peach tin for its petrol tank and a two-stroke engine. His "Peach-tin prototype" quickly became a household name under the brand Victa, transforming lawn care across Australia. Victa’s success was not just in cutting grass, but also in levelling out the earth under which it grew on. The true Entreprenurial spirit was propelled by pioneering marketing efforts, including early TV advertising and celebrity endorsements, which ensured widespread recognition.

Richardson’s ability to turn adversity into triumph, combined with effective promotion, showcases the resilience and ingenuity at the heart of the Australian innovator and it is for this that he's earned himself a spot in our showcase on Australian Intelligence?.

The Refrigerator

James Harrison, an Australian pioneer in the field of refrigeration, fundamentally transformed how we preserve food and maintain cool environments. In the mid-19th century, while working as a newspaper proprietor in Geelong, Harrison observed that ether used to clean printing type produced a cooling effect. This insight led him to develop the first practical vapour-compression refrigeration system. By 1851, he had created an experimental machine, and by 1854, he built the first commercial ice-making machine. His 1855 patent for an ether-based vapour-compression system laid the foundation for the refrigeration technologies that are integral to our modern fridges, freezers, and refrigerant air conditioners. This system, which used a compressor to circulate ether through coils, effectively cooled the surrounding environment and became essential for industries like brewing and meat packing ? .

Harrison’s ingenuity didn’t stop with his initial invention; he established the Victoria Ice Works in Melbourne and co-founded the Sydney Ice Company. Despite facing challenges, such as an unsuccessful attempt to ship refrigerated meat to the UK, his work in refrigeration remains a cornerstone of the industry. His ability to turn a simple observation into a transformative invention exemplifies the essence of Australian Intelligence?—the spirit of overcoming adversity and innovating solutions that have a global impact. Without Harrison’s groundbreaking work, the convenience and safety provided by modern refrigeration systems would not exist, underscoring the vital role Australian ingenuity has played in shaping the world?

The Notepad

J.A. Birchall, a Tasmanian stationer from Launceston, changed forever the way we organise and use paper in 1902 by inventing the first commercial notepad. Prior to this, paper was typically supplied in loose sheets, making it cumbersome to manage and collate ideas. Birchall’s innovation was simple yet profound: he cut the sheets into smaller sizes, backed them with firm cardboard, and added layer of gum across the top.

This design, initially met with reluctance by his British paper suppliers, facilitated easier writing and organisation, transforming everyday note-taking and professional documentation. Birchall marketed his invention as the ‘Silver City Writing Tablets’, and its practicality quickly gained acceptance, spreading from his local stationery shop to wider use across Tasmania, Australia, and eventually the world. Birchall’s persistence paid off, although convincing his suppliers was no small feat—just don’t ask them to publish a map of Tasmania.

The notepad’s creation is a testament to Australian Intelligence?, showcasing how a straightforward yet ingenious solution can overcome practical challenges and create a lasting impact. Birchall’s persistence in convincing his suppliers and bringing the notepad to market despite initial resistance highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience characteristic of Australian innovators earning his place among the pioneers of Australian Intelligence?.

High-Tech Innovations

Wi-Fi Technology

In the early 1990s, a team at CSIRO, led by Dr. John O’Sullivan, developed the foundational technology for Wi-Fi. This breakthrough originated from their research in radio astronomy and their efforts to detect faint radio signals from black holes. The team tackled the challenge of radio wave reverberation, where signals bounced off surfaces and caused interference. By applying complex mathematics known as fast Fourier transforms and using error-correcting codes, they were able to create a reliable and fast indoor wireless network. This invention, known as wireless LAN (WLAN), was patented in 1992 and has since become a cornerstone of global communication, enabling wireless internet connectivity in billions of devices worldwide. Today, Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, found in everything from smartphones to gaming consoles, fundamentally transforming how we connect and communicate.

Polymer Banknotes

In the 1980s, the Reserve Bank of Australia and the CSIRO introduced polymer banknotes. Faced with the growing problem of counterfeit currency, traditional paper banknotes were no longer sufficient due to their vulnerability to wear and forgery.

The innovative solution was found in polymer, a type of plastic known as biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP), which offered enhanced durability and security features. These banknotes are resistant to tearing and water damage, significantly extending their lifespan. Advanced security elements such as clear windows, holograms, and multi-layered designs make them incredibly difficult to counterfeit, setting new standards for currency production which have made them enviable around the world.

Australia was the first country to fully transition to polymer banknotes, starting with the $10 note in 1988, marking the nation's bicentenary. The success of these banknotes has prompted many other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, to adopt the technology. The development and widespread adoption of polymer banknotes exemplify Australian Intelligence?—innovative problem-solving that addresses practical challenges with global impact.

This groundbreaking work by the Reserve Bank of Australia and CSIRO has not only safeguarded economies from counterfeiting but also highlighted Australia's leadership in technological advancements.

Medical Innovations

Spray-on Skin

Dr. Fiona Wood, an Australian plastic surgeon and researcher, forever changed burn treatment with her groundbreaking spray-on skin technology. Born in Yorkshire, England, in 1958, Wood earns a place amongst these other Australian greats because she moved to Perth in 1987. She continued her medical career focused on burns care and reconstruction. After treating a severely burned patient in 1992 using cultured skin, she realised the need for faster and more effective healing methods. Driven by this challenge, Wood, together with scientist Marie Stoner, began exploring tissue engineering. Despite initial skepticism and significant technical hurdles, they developed spray-on skin technology, which involves creating a suspension of a patient’s skin cells and spraying them onto burn wounds. This innovation not only accelerated healing but also significantly reduced scarring, setting a new standard in burn care.

What earns Dr. Wood a place of honour amongst others in our showcase on Australian Intelligence? is for her perseverance when her invention was put to the ultimate test during the 2002 Bali bombings. She and her team treated numerous victims using her pioneering technique.

The success of these treatments under such dire circumstances proved the effectiveness of her innovation. Despite facing personal and professional obstacles, Wood’s relentless pursuit of better treatment options exemplifies Australian Intelligence?—overcoming adversity and innovating solutions with profound impacts. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named Australian of the Year in 2005. As the co-founder of the McComb Foundation and a leading figure in the West Australian Burns Service, Wood continues to push the boundaries of medical science, embodying the resilience and ingenuity that characterise Australian Intelligence?.

Penicillin

While Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, it was Australian pharmacologist Howard Florey, along with Ernst Boris Chain, who transformed this discovery into a life-saving medical treatment during the 1940s. Florey, born in Adelaide, South Australia, was instrumental in turning Fleming’s promising yet impractical discovery into a practical and mass-producible antibiotic that could be used to treat bacterial infections.

Faced with the pressing need for effective treatments during World War II, Florey and his team at the University of Oxford worked tirelessly under challenging conditions. Their efforts focused on isolating and purifying penicillin, overcoming significant scientific and logistical hurdles. This involved not only refining the extraction process but also figuring out how to produce the antibiotic in large quantities. Florey’s perseverance and innovative approach paid off when penicillin was successfully used to treat wounded soldiers, dramatically reducing infection rates and saving countless lives.

The impact of Florey’s work extends far beyond the war. His contribution to the mass production of penicillin marked the beginning of the antibiotic era, forever changing medicine and leading to the development of numerous other antibiotics. Florey’s achievements exemplify Australian Intelligence?—the ability to overcome adversity and innovate solutions that have a profound global impact. His work has saved millions of lives worldwide and remains a cornerstone of modern medicine, showcasing the remarkable contributions of Australian scientists to global health.

Cochlear Implant

Saving the best for last, we pay homage to the Cochlear Implant, a groundbreaking invention by Professor Graeme Clark in the 1970s. Driven by a personal mission to help his deaf father, Clark embarked on an arduous journey to develop a device that could restore hearing. His tireless research and pioneering efforts culminated in the creation of the world’s first multi-channel cochlear implant, often referred to as the bionic ear. This device works by bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve, allowing individuals who are deaf or severely hard of hearing to perceive sound.

Clark’s invention has transformed the lives of over 180,000 individuals worldwide, providing a powerful bridge between disability and ability. The cochlear implant not only restores hearing but also enhances the quality of life, enabling recipients to engage more fully with the world around them. The development of the cochlear implant was fraught with challenges, including skepticism from the medical community and significant technical hurdles. However, Clark’s perseverance and innovative spirit exemplify the essence of Australian Intelligence?—overcoming adversity to create life-changing solutions, something we aim to do ourselves with Logan.

The cochlear implant stands as a testament to the transformative power of Australian innovation. It has set a new standard in medical devices, inspired further advancements in hearing technology, and underscored Australia’s role as a leader in medical research and development. Professor Clark’s work continues to inspire and impact countless lives, highlighting the profound and lasting contributions of Australian scientists to global health and well-being.

At RHEM Labs, we draw inspiration from these trailblazing innovators and innovations. We've just finished our own work in the Australian AI Sprint, run by CSIRO, Stone & Chalk and Google Cloud. While we didn't make it to the final ten, we're proud to have gone from some 256 companies to be part of the innovative 35 who made it to Stage 2. During the sprint we were exposed to some fantastic companies doing some of the most innovative things with AI, showing that Australia's AI industry is strong.

Throughout this piece I've used Dalle in an attempt to showcase many of the great Australian pieces of technology we went through. Unfortunately, the American based model struggles to understand and replicate what is quintessentially Australian. Understanding responsible AI, the use of outsourced models by foreign third parties, no matter how friendly, highlights what's at stake if Australia doesn't act.

We risk losing what makes us quintessentially Australian.

While the current models might be good at showing photos of the Sydney Opera house, they seem to lack the understanding of the rivalry which saw Canberra become our capital, the border war along the 141st meridian that ends up seeing a fierce competition over where the football pre-season and grand finals should be hosted, or even why AI content filters really shouldn't be engaged when you ask it to draw Kylie in her thongs.

Despite these limitations, our own project, LoganAI, seeks to continue the legacy of Australian innovation. By using technology to improve lives, particularly for those with disabilities, we aim to create solutions that are as uniquely impactful and transformative as the great inventions that came before us. We focused on diagnostics during the Sprint, but we're doing so much more. Head over to our website and see what we're all about.

With the newfound support we've garnered after the AI sprint might even be pushing for a quintessential Australian model along the way. Afterall, how can you have Australian Intelligence? that doesn't filter the map of Tasmania.

Join us as we celebrate these remarkable inventions and the brilliant minds behind them. Let’s continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, driven by the same spirit of ingenuity that defines Australian Intelligence?.

AI - Australian Intelligence

AI - Australian Innovation

AI - Australian Inventions.

Think AI. Think Logan.