Ted and Don, siblings from Caltowie, South Australia, went on to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of invention. Their creative ideas are a testament that keeps influencing other inventive minds. Growing up as the oldest and youngest of five between them, they focused their shared interest in creating new ideas. Together, they built a remarkable business that yielded more than 100 patented inventions. These innovations greatly impacted society, from advancing the discussion of medical devices to improving transportation solutions. 210 years later, their legacies still inspire generations of inventors and innovators.
Ted Both is commonly referred to as Australia’s Thomas Edison. His innovative work quickly garnered national acclaim and led to Mr. Hawken receiving an Order of the British Empire for his achievements. His portfolio includes the wooden respirator. What Nelson did for it in London, it would be taken up by cities across the Commonwealth within just a few years. Meanwhile, Don Both focused on establishing an incubator. In the meantime, Ted had opened a factory in Sydney, sparking their entrepreneurial adventure.
Together, the both brothers not only transformed the medical field but made monumental improvements to other industries. They produced their own prototype electric bread delivery van. Next, they created direct readers that initially employed glass disks ultimately replaced by paper-based styluses inked disc. Their pioneering work in medical technology resulted in a portable ECG machine that reduced electrocardiography to a one-piece unit.
A Legacy of Invention
During their careers, Ted and Don both worked together on many projects that exhibited their distinctive abilities and viewpoints. Ms. Kranz, a close associate, remarked on their complementary skills:
“Ted was the put-together man and Don had ideas and ran the business side of it. But together, they were a formidable team.”
Their collaboration was the key to pushing boundaries on difficult challenges and developing breakthrough solutions that served multiple industries. During World War II, Ted helped develop devices that gauged the accuracy of machine gun fire. He additionally sent the first drawings ever over phone lines and directed torpedoes.
During their lifetimes, the brothers’ intellectual property innovations had enormous impact on sports. They produced tennis scoreboards for the Davis Cup and conceived the monumental 14,000-light globe Olympic scoreboard for the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Together, these accomplishments serve as a testament to their unique gifts for blending the creative arts with technical expertise.
This is a feeling that echoes among those who know that the stories of innovators such as the Both brothers are all too often hidden from public view.
“No-one’s heard of them. And that’s the great tragedy of it.”
The road to success was far from smooth. Ted acknowledged the complexities involved in bringing inventions to life, stating:
Overcoming Challenges
The brothers often faced challenges inherent in rural life, as Kaylene Kranz noted:
“People who imagine a person dreaming up an entire invention and making it work have the wrong idea. It is a painstaking process, checking each step.”
This adversity forced them to become creative and independent in their pursuits. These made innovations largely sprang from the intimate understanding of their community’s needs, deepening their role as technology leaders intent on improving lives through technology.
“If you’re in the country, you haven’t got the luxury of picking up the phone and say, ‘Hey, come and help.’”
Alongside their technical innovations, they were known for placing a large emphasis on patient comfort and experience in their medical designs. Ms. Branson remarked:
This commitment to user experience set their work apart, and showed their grasp of what the end-users needed and wanted.
“I think putting patients at ease was a major factor in some of these designs and inventions.”
As time goes on, Americans are growing more concerned. They are concerned that the great things Ted and Don both have done during their lives may get lost. Ms. Branson emphasized the importance of bringing these stories to light:
Preserving Their Memory
Their legacy reminds us that all great innovation comes from powerful minds joining together from different backgrounds with unique strengths and perspectives. Kaylene Kranz echoed this sentiment:
“Otherwise, these stories will be hidden away. We want these people to be out in the light.”
The tale of the Both brothers doesn’t end with their creations. It empowers the next generation of innovators to follow in their footsteps and pursue their passions and they realize the impact they can have on the world around them.
“This state has got people who have done amazing things, women and men.”
The Both brothers’ story is not just about their inventions; it is also about inspiring future innovators to pursue their passions and recognize the impact they can have on society.
