Is the Carabiner the most important climbing invention ever?
I was thinking of writing an article for my blog on the top ten climbing inventions of all time. Loosely the theme is technology rather than say training. As such I have given a list below, but I am keen to hear your ideas.
- The Carabiner
- The Nuts, wires and Hexes
- Camming Devices
- Sticky rubber
- Kermantel Rope
- Slings
- Harnesses
- Belay devices
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
What would your top ten be?
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Beacon
Helmets?
I reckon the sling and carabiner as a running belay opened up the most routes and ushered in climbing as we know it today.
Sam
Pub quiz time – when do you think each of them was invented and by who?
The Carabiner dates from at least 1868 by a Mr Pelton :-
http://tinyurl.com/4kwjbjv
Awesome, so far my research had just shown Otto Herzog, but that is a gem!
Helmets? As a life saving device yes, but not sure about it as an invention, I was thinking more on the lines of engineering. Also what would I take off my list?
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Today’s installment – the belay device from 1885:-
http://tinyurl.com/69x4a83
Great stuff Kevin, where do you find it all?
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