8 Korean Inventions We Didn't Know Came From Korea

Source: Clien

Korea is full of interesting inventions that were born right here. But some people don't realize that they are uniquely Korean products. 

Let's take a look at some products that started right here in Korea. Maybe you'll recognize some of them.

MILK CARTONS

Source: Seoul Milk

Everyone has encountered a milk carton at some point in their life, whether it was at school or purchased from a convenience store.

This triangular opening system is very simple and effective (unless you open it from the wrong side...).

MIlk cartons themselves were first invented in America in the 1930's. But the "gable top" system of opening this milk carton was actually invented by Shin Seok-gyun in 1953.

CUSHION FOUNDATION

Source: IOPE

Another popular cosmetic product that most people have seen before is the cushion foundation that is available all over the world today.

It was first invented in March 2008 by Amorepacific. The first brand that sold this product was IOPE (a popular Korean brand) and has made a huge splash ever since its introduction.

INFLATABLE CHEERING INSTRUMENTS

Source: todaykorea

When we go to concerts or want to cheer for our favorite sports team, we want to stand out and be as loud as possible, right?

Anyone who has been to a sports event in Korea knows that they will often freely distribute these inflatable tubes to use for cheering. 

The manufacturing company said this kind of cheering device is capable of making sounds 10 times louder than shouting, and it was first invented in 1994. They have become ubiquitous at any sporting event in Korea.

METAL PRINTING TECHNIQUE

Jikji was the first metal print ever made in the world. It was designated as a UNESCO Heritage item in 2001.

It was created as a way to print the zen Buddhist teachings way back in the Goryeo Dynasty, circa 1377. It is currently being stored in the National Library of France.

FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS

Source: locknlock korea

Plastic food storage box like this (often referred to as Tupperware, which is actually just a popular brand name and not the actual name of the product) were first invented by Lock & Lock Korea in 1998.

The reason the company made this kind of box is because Koreans have so many side dishes that they have to keep separately. 

These tight-sealing lids were a necessity to keep the watery substances of the side dishes safely stored instead of spilling out into the fridge.

Therefore Lock & Lock produces a plastic box that is tight. There is a waterproof rubber edge that stops things from leaking out. And it is very successful. 

At first, I didn't even know it was a Korean invention. I use them all the time but had no idea!

PC BANGS (PC CAFES)

Source: jejusori

Although internet cafes have certainly become more popular, they were first opened in Korea.

In the 1990s, computers were so expensive that ordinary people could not afford them and the internet was not easy to install as well. Therefore, opening an internet shop or a computer rental shop was very popular. 

Today's Internet cafes, or PC bangs in Korean, offer (very) high-speed internet access and amazing graphic cards, making them a popular destination for playing computer games.

INSTANT COFFEE MIX

Source: Maxim Coffee

Don't get confused here. Other instant coffees had been invented prior to Korea's version. However, they only consisted of the freeze-dried or dehydrated coffee mix.

Korea was the first to create a singularly packaged stick containing the coffee, the creamer, and the sugar all in one package. 

It was invented in 1976 under the Maxim brand. At that time, coffee was very expensive and considered a luxury item.

So this was a more effective and cheaper way to bring coffee to the masses as well as satisfy Korean's lack of patience. 

MP3 PLAYERS

Source: Time

Some of you guys have probably never even saw an MP3 player, but those of us from the 90's and early 00's know all about them.

Before we could listen to music on our phones, we had to upload the music (most of it stolen from the internet) to our MP3 devices. 

This glorious device was introduced by SaeHan Information Systems in 1997. The original device was called the MPMan and had very little storage space.

Hopefully, you were able to learn a few new things after reading this article.

Personally, I had no idea that so many inventions came from Korea.

Plus, TVXQ Yunho has been very active on the invention scene in Korea, so we're excited to see what he'll show us next!