The Unexpected 'Invention' That Made the Most Money Worldwide... A 13-Year-Old Shepherd Changed the Future [AK Radio]

Middle School Student Who Developed the 'Oil-Catching Ladle'
Glidden Became a Tycoon with Barbed Wire

One of the most inconvenient aspects of making soup dishes is removing the oil floating on the surface of the broth. While people want to enjoy clear broth easily and neatly, effectively removing the oil is quite challenging. A new type of ladle invented by a middle school student to solve this inconvenience has become a hot topic.

Kim Tae-hyung, a third-year student at Shingwang Middle School in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, invented the "Ladle that catches fat to live to 100 by controlling oil" and won the Presidential Award at the National Student Science Invention Competition. This invention attracted great attention as a creative idea designed to solve a small inconvenience that anyone experiences in daily life.

Kim Tae-hyung found the motivation for his invention while worrying about his father's health. Concerned that his father frequently consumed oily foods, he pondered an easy way to remove the oil that rises to the surface when cooking dishes like beef bone soup or samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). He aimed to help manage health by inventing a ladle that effectively removes oil for healthier meals.

At the 45th National Student Science Invention Competition, Kim Tae-hyung, a third-year student at Shingwang Middle School in Gyeongbuk, who received the Presidential Award, is demonstrating his award-winning work, "Ladle that Controls Belly Fat for a Hundred Years! Oil-Catching Ladle," on the morning of the 3rd at the Ministry of Science and ICT press room in the Government Sejong Complex. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The unique aspect of this invention is that it applies the principle of the traditional "Gyeyeongbae." Gyeyeongbae is a type of drinking cup used during the Joseon Dynasty, which has a peculiar structure where if the cup is filled beyond a certain level, the liquid overflows unless the cup is emptied. The principle utilizes air pressure and gravity laws, and Kim Tae-hyung applied this to the oil-removing ladle. When broth and oil are scooped together in the ladle, the difference in density naturally separates the oil from the clear broth. When the ladle is lifted, the clear broth flows back down, leaving only the oil behind. This allows for easy removal of oil, making it a very practical invention for cooks.

Kim Tae-hyung expressed his future aspiration, saying, "I want to create inventions that respond to climate change." This invention is a case that highlights creativity and problem-solving skills in addressing small inconveniences in daily life, offering a glimpse of his unlimited potential as a future inventor.

Another notable invention at this competition was the "Traffic Card Preventing Duplicate Recognition Based on Folding Direction," invented by Kim Hye-won, a second-year high school student. For those who have experienced the inconvenience of multiple cards being recognized simultaneously and receiving the message "Please present the card again" when using transportation cards, this invention could be the solution.

Kim Hye-won devised a method that uses electromagnetic induction, Faraday's law, and Lenz's law to enable the traffic card's function to be turned on or off depending on the direction it is folded. This method simply solves the problem of duplicate recognition when multiple cards are present. This idea eliminates the small inconvenience felt when using transportation cards and highlights the practicality and convenience of the invention. Kim Hye-won was honored with the Prime Minister's Award for this invention.

Inventions, Patents, and Economic Value

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The impact of inventions on society is beyond imagination. Even small inventions can create significant economic value if they are useful in everyday life. For example, when asked "Who is the person who made the most money from inventions in the world?" the name that often comes up is Joseph F. Glidden, born in New Hampshire, USA. He was the son of a blacksmith and started working at a young age. At 13, the sheep he was tending escaped over fences into neighboring farms, damaging crops. After being scolded by the ranch owner, he created barbed wire. Inspired by rose bushes that sheep avoided, he obtained materials from his father's blacksmith shop and made barbed wire, receiving a patent in 1874.

He sold barbed wire under the brand "The Winner." In the first year, he produced 4,500 kg of The Winner. By 1882, production increased 10,000 times to 45 million kg. Not only ranchers but also railroad companies bought barbed wire in bulk. The disappearance of cowboys was also due to barbed wire, as cattle could be confined to pastures without the need for cowboys.

It also changed the concept of warfare. During World War I, barbed wire was the most sold strategic material in the U.S. It was the best defense against cavalry charges. In the early 1900s, Joseph and his father were considered the richest people in America. Although the exact amount is unknown, it is said that even about ten certified public accountants working for a year could not precisely calculate their wealth.

Another frequently cited example of making a fortune from invention patents is the pencil with an eraser. Hyman Lipman, a young artist born in Philadelphia, USA, had a difficult childhood after his father passed away early. He earned a living by painting portraits. His daily work involved drawing with pencils and erasing with erasers. He wasted a lot of time looking for lost erasers. One day, while looking at himself wearing a hat in the mirror, he got an idea.

"Let's put an eraser cap on the pencil." In 1867, he patented the "pencil with an eraser." Later, the company Rubber Tip bought the patent for $15,000 plus 2% of pencil sales. Rubber Tip, a local pencil factory, grew into a large corporation. Naturally, Lipman also made a lot of money.

Inventors Changing the Future

Inventions themselves have the power to change the world. Young inventors like Kim Tae-hyung and Kim Hye-won are solving inconveniences in our society with creative ideas and developing inventions that contribute to environmental and social issues. Their creative inventions not only win awards but also show the potential to positively influence the future of Korea and the world.

Currently, patent applications in Korea are steadily increasing. According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office, last year's patent applications increased by 2.4% compared to the previous year. Korea ranks fourth in the world for patent applications, following China, the United States, and Japan. This is thanks not only to large companies like Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics but also to the continuous innovation of young inventors.

Patents are an important system that protects inventors' ideas and can create economic value. However, some inventors disclose their inventions for free for the public good. Software like Linux, provided as open source, is a representative example. These inventors' efforts contribute to social development through the sharing of technology and knowledge.

Editor's NoteThis content is also available on Asia Economy's economic podcast 'AK Radio.' AK Radio is a platform that provides essential information for investors, covering politics, economy, international affairs, technology, bio, and digital trends. Clicking the video play button in the article allows you to hear the reporter's actual voice. This article is a reorganization of the content broadcast on AK Radio through ChatGPT.