Penicillin, airplanes, and air conditioning were all
Group of answer choices
A created through government-sponsored research.
B created by individual inventors and small companies.
C invented in the nineteenth century.
D created by large corporations.
E invented by Russians.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
B. created by individual inventors and small companies.
Explanation (300+ words):
Penicillin, airplanes, and air conditioning are three major innovations that have significantly impacted modern society. Despite their differences in function and field, all three were originally created by individual inventors or small companies, not by governments, large corporations, or foreign entities such as the Russian government.
Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, a Scottish bacteriologist, when he noticed that the Penicillium mold inhibited the growth of bacteria. This discovery happened in a laboratory setting, not as part of a government-sponsored program or corporate project. While the mass production of penicillin during World War II did involve government and corporate collaboration (especially in the U.S.), the original discovery was the result of individual scientific observation and experimentation.
Airplanes were first successfully developed and flown by the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, in 1903. The Wright brothers operated a bicycle repair and manufacturing shop in Dayton, Ohio. They conducted their aviation experiments largely independently and funded them with their own resources. Their invention marked the birth of powered flight and laid the groundwork for the global aviation industry. This was not a government-led or corporate-funded initiative but a result of ingenuity and experimentation by two dedicated individuals.
Air conditioning was invented by Willis Carrier in 1902. Carrier was working for a small printing company, and his invention was initially meant to solve the problem of humidity affecting printing paper. He went on to found the Carrier Engineering Corporation, which popularized air conditioning for industrial and eventually home use. Again, this innovation was driven by a small-scale commercial need and an individual’s efforts.
In summary, these transformative inventions came from the work of individuals and small companies—driven by curiosity, necessity, and problem-solving—not from large institutions or foreign governments. This highlights how innovation often stems from personal initiative and small-scale ingenuity.