New Zealand's Breakthroughs
Sometimes referred to as the father of nuclear physics, Earnest Rutherford is regarded as one of the most famous New Zealander’s in his field, as it was him who successfully ‘split the atom.’ He discovered that all atoms have a small charged nucleus and therefore went on to produce the Rutherford model of the atom. He was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for Chemistry in 1908. As ironic as it may seem when looking at NZ’s opposition to nuclear weapons, it was Rutherford’s research along with Sir Mark Oliphant that largely contributed to the Manhattern project, the first to develop Nuclear weapons.
Although modern bungy jumping can be traced back to tribal Vanuatu, New Zealander A J Hackett initiated the birth of commercial bungy jumping. He made his first jump in 1986 off Auckland’s Greenhither bridge. This proved to be the the beginning of many jumps of bridges and other structures including that of Paris’ Eiffel Tower. The world’s first permanent commercial bungy was opened on the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown (as pictured below).
“Climbers aim for the summit because it is there. Bungee jumpers dive off the top because they aren't all there.” - Jessica Seigal
The electric fence has been largely developed with car ignition foil in the 1930’s by kiwi inventor William “Bill” Gallagher. It emerged due to the fact “Bill’s” horse would constantly escape and scratch itself against his much loved car. However it must be noted that many state that it was first mentioned in Mark Twains “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.” William Gallagher started a company to make the design more effective, and in 1962, Doug Phillips invented the non-shortable electric fence. It was after that point when American involvement in the development and production became apparent and began to increase the range and efficiency of the electric fences.
As the famous movie, “The World’s Fastest Indian” portrayed, out of NZ has also emerged many unique developments. Burt Munroe portrayed NZ’s name to the world by getting the world record in the under 1000cc motorbike category on the 26th of August, 1967 at a speed of 295.453 km/hr. It was a challenge that no one thought a small country like NZ could ever achieve. Munroe worked on his modified Indian motorcycle from his home work shop in Invercargil, in the far South of the South Island. His record was achieved at the Bonneville Salt Flats in North Western Utah.
“If you don’t follow your dreams, you may as well be a vegetable” - Burt Munroe