Italy is an ancient land steeped in history. From near obscurity several thousand years ago, it came to be the birthplace of one of the world's greatest empires, Rome. The impact the power of Rome would have on the West is incalculable. Its laws, architecture, philosophy, and culture still influence life today. Whilst the Roman Empire has long gone, Italy is still a center of culture and innovation today. In the following article, we'll take a look at a few select inventions that can trace their origin to the Italian Peninsula. 

What did the Italians invent?

Italy, more famed for its food, coffee houses, and dangerous driving, has actually given the world some of the most important inventions of all time.  From jeans to espresso machines, Italy has had its fair share of innovators throughout history. Within the next 1000 words or so, we will highlight 9 great examples.