If there’s a nation that knows how to make innovation more than a buzzword, it’s the Dutch. From futuristic housing designs to sustainability-driven startups, life-changing ideas are popping up left and right in the lowlands.
Some are small local initiatives just trying to make their neighbourhood a better place, others are products that change industries. Let’s look at seven modern innovations that wouldn’t be what they are today without the Dutch.
1. Wi-Fi
Oh, what would the 21st-century world be without reading the latest news on DutchReview, made possible by speedy Wi-Fi?
Sure enough, this life-changing invention was ultimately the result of the work of multiple different engineers from across the world.
However, it was a Dutchman named Victor Hayes who headed a committee which introduced the IEEE 802.11 standards — and these laid the groundwork for the Wi-Fi that we still use today.
2. Bluetooth
Your daily commute to work probably wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for your wireless earbuds — and Bluetooth!
Bluetooth is a technology which uses radio frequency to share data over short distances without the need for a cable. And who led its invention? None other than the Dutchie Jaap Haartsen.
3. Energy storage
The Dutch are pretty good at talking about renewables, and they’re also getting better at using renewables for electricity production. One of the biggest challenges regarding renewables remains, however, its large-scale storage.
Luckily, the Dutch are thinking about that too! A research team from the University of Groningen has been looking into an upgraded version of flow batteries, which store power in an organic compound.
4. Batteries for EVs, phones, and laptops
Electric cars are great, but wouldn’t they be even better if their range was longer and the charging time was faster? Also, wouldn’t we love it if we could charge our phones within a matter of minutes?
Current limitations of batteries present quite the obstacle when it comes to taking our modern technologies to the next level. But maybe that won’t be the case for long anymore!
A Dutch start up, LeydenJar, has created batteries with higher energy density by replacing graphite, a material typically used for battery anodes, with silicone.
5. World-class entertainment
When it comes to entertainment, the Netherlands has no shortage of that. Did you know that “The Voice” and “Big Brother” hail from this tiny country?
From traditional museums to digital art and immersive art experiences which combine traditional Dutch painters with the latest technologies, there’s just something for everyone.
Not to mention that there are also plenty of opportunities to entertain yourself from the comfort of your home thanks to various online services.
Want to see the latest blockbuster? Stream it on Netflix (or Videoland if you want to keep it Dutch). Want to remodel your life? Play some Sims. Want to try your luck on the slots? Head to a fancy new online casino.
6. 3D Printing
We’ve all heard about 3D printing. While this innovation already has wider applications in manufacturing and production processes, the Dutch have once again taken it to the next level.
How? They 3D-printed the world’s first stainless steel bridge for pedestrians! To see this 12-metre-long beauty, you just need to head to the famous Red Light District in Amsterdam.
7. Artificial Intelligence
There’s no debate about AI’s transformative power. But just as we should utilise all the positive aspects that AI brings us, we need innovations that deal with the bad and the ugly, too.
One example of such ugly things is deepfakes — AI-generated or AI-edited images, videos, and audio which may depict real or non-existent people.
A team of researchers from the Netherlands Forensic Institute and the University of Amsterdam has been researching this phenomenon and found methods that help us detect it.
The world and modern technologies are changing at an ever-increasing speed, and we can only remain curious to see what other groundbreaking stuff the Dutch will contribute to next!
Are there any other Dutch innovations you think should make it to the list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
