The World's Greatest Inventors And What They Invented

Home Technology 40 Greatest Inventors In World History And What They Invented

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40 Greatest Inventors In World History And What They Invented

By Joe Burgett - March 25, 2020

31. Charles Babbage & Alan Turing

Most Famous For Inventing: The Computer

We should state for the record that Alan Turing & Charles Babbage did not work together and likely never even knew each other. Yet we still put them in the same place on our list because both men can be credited, in some form, for inventing the computer. Charles Babbage is often given the most credit in this department, as his “Difference Engine” was technically an early computer.

Later called the Analytical Engine, it was able to incorporate arithmetic logic units, and control flow via conditional branching & loops. It also used an integrated memory. This made it “Turing-complete,” which pretty much meant that it could recognize or decide other data-manipulation rule sets. Of course, the term comes from Alan Turing and, well, his Turing Machine. This was used to form the original general-purpose computer. Both men did a lot for the computer, so obviously both should be credited with its invention.

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30. Tim Berners-Lee

Most Famous For Inventing: The World Wide Web

Tim Berners-Lee is an engineer and computer scientist who currently serves as the Director of the World Wide Web Consortium & the Web Research Initiative. He’s also the Founder of the World Wide Web Foundation. There is more to his resume, but we think you get the point.

Tim invented the internet and the first web page as well. He called it “info.cern.ch,” and it is still live to this day. The page serves mostly as an information tool, as the name suggests. While working an employee at the European Organization for Nuclear Research or “CERN,” he used their NeXT Computer to go live with the first webpage on December 20, 1990.

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29. Archytas of Tarentum

Most Famous For Inventing: The First Flying Machine

Archytas of Tarentum is a notable Ancient Greek Inventor & Scientist who is often referred to as the “Father of Mathematical Mechanics.” Now known as one of the world’s greatest inventors, during his time he taught Mathematics at the Pythagorean School. He invented the first known autonomous flying machine.

It was a wooden dove that could flap its wings and even go up to 200 meters or a little over 656 feet in the air. It ran on compressed air and an internal steam engine. He often dreamed of going into space and was fascinated with everything in the night sky, making him a leader in Cosmology. Today, a crater on the moon is named after him.

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28. Samuel Morse

Most Famous For Inventing: Morse Code, Single-Wire Telegraph System

While Samuel Morse did not invent the first telegraph, his version of a single-wire system became a much more efficient way of doing things. In fact, during the American Civil War, several wires were put up to send messages from place to place. This would lead to the inspiration behind how the telephone worked. Technically, Samuel Morse beat others to the electromagnetic telegraph by a year too.

This is according to the patent submitted, on display today at the Smithsonian Institution. While he is now the “sole inventor,” people did not know him as this when he was alive. He did, however, invent Morse Code. This is the primary language in use for telegraphy, making him one of the world’s greatest inventors. Many in the Armed Forces still use forms of Morse Code to this day!

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27. Wright Brothers

Most Famous For Inventing: The Motor-Powered Airplane, Three-Axis Control

The Wright Brothers, Orville & Wilber, are most known for their invention of the modern airplane. There is actually a distinction in this as they actually invented the first motor-operated airplane. Other types of airplanes have been invented since. They called their airplane the Wright Flyer, which took flight in December of 1903.

Other versions, such as the Wright Flyer II, Wright Flyer III, & the Wright Glider improved upon the first airplane’s design. The big thing they are now massive for in the scientific community, however, is the three-axis control concept they came up with for their version of the airplane. This had far-reaching results as submarines, space ships, satellites, and industrial robotics use it to essentially function.

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26. Ctesibius

Most Famous For Inventing: Pipe Organ, Hand-Held Crossbow

Working as a mathematician in the Greek city of Alexandria in Ptolemaic Egypt, Ctesibius became one of the world’s greatest inventors. He invented the science behind compressed air and its use in pumps, which is what made cannons work. This was on top of his work on the elasticity of air. He was also responsible for pneumatics, resulting in his “Father of Pneumatics” nickname.

Sadly for Ctestibius, a lot of his work was lost, including ALL of his research. Yet some of his designs remain. Today, we might credit with far more inventions than he has now. However, military types and weapons makers eventually would implement his original design for the hand-held crossbow. He’s also responsible for inventing the pipe organ and the water clock.

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25. Bill Gates

Most Famous For Inventing: Windows Software, Microsoft Products

When Bill Gates was starting off in the tech world, there was a major focus on computer hardware. Computers were already a thing but they had not yet become what we know them as today. Hardware was important, so many companies made this a key focus. Yet Gates saw something few others considered. All this hardware was also going to need proper software.

Gates and his company Microsoft partnered with IBM in 1980 to help in this area, as IBM was about to roll out the personal computer. The infamous “Windows” software launched in 1985, and then Microsoft and IBM cut ties a year later. Yet Gates and Microsoft had already become a massive player. Their software to this day is on over 80% of all personal computers. In 2019 alone, Microsoft reported its total year revenue reached $125.8 billion. This is in large thanks to Windows Software.

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24. Cai Lun

Most Famous For Inventing: Paper & Papermaking Process

Cai Lun is an ancient Chinese inventor, politician, and eunuch. While he invented several things, he is likely most known for the invention of paper and the papermaking process. Some assume that paper was in play prior to this. This was due to writing and scrolls overall having been around for centuries by this point.

However, these scrolls utilize papyrus, not paper. As a result, Cai Lun’s invention of paper was a massive thing for the world. China to this day produces the most paper worldwide annually, even over the United States. This is all thanks to one of the world’s greatest inventors, Cai Lun.

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23. Alexander Graham Bell

Most Famous For Inventing: The Telephone

Alexander Graham Bell invented something that most of us use every single day, the telephone. However, before he did this, Bell was actually involved with speech and hearing research. Part of his family worked in the area of elocution, the study of formal speaking, grammar, style, and tone. This heavily influenced his technical work.

He was awarded the U.S. patent for his invention of the telephone on March 7, 1876. Funny enough, Bell thought of the telephone as a nuisance and refused to have one in his study. Bell later went on to do massive work in optical telecommunications and aeronautics and was one of the 33 founders of the National Geographic Society. Yes, THAT National Geographic. He was even the founder of the American Telegraph & Telephone Company, better known as AT&T.

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22. Charles Goodyear

Most Famous For Inventing: Pliable, Moldable, Waterproof Rubber & Vulcanized Rubber

Charles Goodyear completely changed the game with his invention and patenting of vulcanized rubber. This is a form of hardened rubber that Goodyear managed to get to upon molding rubber to fit his desired outcome. He invented pliable, moldable rubber as well so the process to harden only made sense. Through this, it would also become waterproof. Thereby making it perfect for cars.

Goodyear randomly stumbled across it, as he heard about Thomas Hancock’s effectiveness in heating. Goodyear’s rubber is notably within several rubber items today, including footwear and obviously tires. In fact, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company named their company after him. Goodyear himself did not have any connection to them, as he passed years before their founding.

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21. Galileo Galilei

Most Famous For Inventing: Thermoscope, Galileo’s Pump, Telescope

While Galileo Galilei was often notable in history for his views on science and the universe, he actually invented several major things too. This includes Hydrostatic Balance, or how one measures an object in the air or water. Galileo’s Pump is also a massive innovation that merely raised water, reliant on single horsepower. This concept is what the modern pump uses to this day.

He also invented the Pendulum Clock & The Sector. The latter of which was a compass used to help gunners accurately shoot their cannons in the proper places. Galileo also invented the Thermoscope, which is an accurate way to tell the temperature outside, in water, etc. Of course, he is most known for his telescope, which modern versions are based on. Even the microscope uses Galileo’s concepts. Truly, he is one of the world’s greatest inventors.

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20. Stephanie Kwolek

Most Famous For Inventing: Kevlar

If you have ever worked in law enforcement or possibly as an Angel for Charlie, then you’ll likely want to thank chemist, Stephanie Kwolek. She invented Kevlar! Today, we mostly know Kevlar for its ability to stop bullets. This is due to the high tensile strength-to-weight ratio. This measurement actually makes it 5 times stronger than steel.

That is why it is commonly used underneath clothing as a bulletproof vest. The idea originally for Kevlar was to use it as a replacement for steel in racing tires, funny enough. Therefore, the idea of replacing steel with it kinda worked. Kevlar is heat-resistant, which allows it to be useful for something like tires. This is why some bicycle tires utilize kevlar even today. However, we’ll likely always know Kevlar most for its ability to stop bullets.

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19. Karl Benz

Most Famous For Inventing: The Automobile

Karl Benz was actually the man that invented the first practical automobile. The German engineer was able to develop his Benz Patent Motorcar in 1885 but didn’t receive the official patent until 1886. As an engine designer, he developed several different types for his automobiles. One of these is the flat engine, which he was given the patent for in 1896.

This is a form of piston engine, where the cylinders are located on either side of a central crankshaft. It’s most effective in the V-Engine. The flat engine version most used now is the boxer engine. They are often used in some high-performance racecars as well as the Porsche & Subaru vehicles. It was eventually used in motorcycles, including by Harley-Davidson.

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18. Marie Curie

Most Famous For Discovering/Inventing: Radium, Polonium, Radioactivity, & How It Could Treat Cancer

Marie Curie was a physicist and chemist who literally gave her life to do scientific research on radioactivity. Due to her amazing work during her life, she became the first woman to ever win the Nobel Prize. She is actually the first and only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice and the only woman to do it in two different sciences.

If you are looking for a great female role model, Curie is certainly one to look to. Marie actually was the one to discover radioactivity, to begin with. Then along with her husband, found the elements of Radium & Polonium. Marie also discovered that the rays from radioactivity could be used to treat cancerous tumors. The Curie family even chose not to patent this so that it could be used easily for as many people as possible.

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17. Steve Jobs

Most Famous For Inventing: Apple Macintosh, iPod, iPad, iPhone, iTunes

Steve Jobs was not exactly someone you could look to as a technical genius. However, his ideas and designs were revolutionary. Along with Steve Wozniak, Jobs co-founded Apple Inc. He helped to create most of Apple’s major devices. This includes the original Macintosh computer that turned into things like the MacBook.

Jobs also co-created the iPod, iPad, and of course the iPhone. He also revolutionized music by coming up with iTunes where people could buy one song at a time instead of entire albums. He came up with a lot of these ideas and devices while Wozniak and crew built them. Jobs had a passion that made customers feel they had to have the devices he spoke of, allowing them to succeed massively.

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16. Henry Ford

Most Famous For Inventing: Model T, Affordable Mass Production

While Karl Benz invented the first automobile, Henry Ford and his Model T changed the industry forever. Ford made his automobiles at a reasonable price, making them affordable for the average person to own. His wild success could be why so many assume he invented the automobile. While he didn’t, he actually sponsored the making of the assembly line in his factories.

This was the first time the modern industrial form of the assembly line we know today was implemented, minus the machines. There were versions of it beforehand, but nothing to this scale. As a result of the assembly line, mass production became affordable for the industry for the first time. That, in turn, made it to where Ford could price the Model T at a lower cost.

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15. Isaac Newton

Most Famous For Inventing: Calculus, Counterfeit-Proof Coins, Reflector Lens In Telescopes

Isaac Newton today is most known for his discovery of how gravity worked. However, he invented a lot of things that we use in some form today. One of those is Calculus, yes, the math. He used this type of math to help with his overall scientific research. Newton also invented the reflector lens for telescopes, providing them with a clearer image.

Isaac is also credited with inventing various ways to eliminate counterfeiting coins. The ridges you see on some coins to this day were his concept for eliminating counterfeits. He wrote the Principia, which many consider the greatest science book ever written. It told the world about how gravity and motion truly operated. Newton had a lot of ideas or concepts that he did not have the chance to make but did make notes about. This includes an orbital cannon, which operated similarly to how a rocketship does today.

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14. Alexander Fleming

Most Famous For Inventing: The First True Antibiotic & The Enzyme Lysozyme

Alexander Fleming was a brilliant biologist, physician, and pharmacologist. We know Fleming more for his discoveries than inventions but they work hand-in-hand. Alexander randomly discovered the infamous mold known as benzylpenicillin had bacteria-fighting power. He had been doing research on staphylococci beforehand.

This is a very dangerous bacteria that Fleming wanted to learn more about, ideally to fight it. He stacked all of his staph cultures in the corner of his lab but upon returning, one had a fungus on it that completely destroyed the bacteria. This benzylpenicillin mold was the key to fighting bacteria. As a result, he invented the first antibiotic we know today as Penicillin. He earned the Nobel Prize for this along with his colleagues in 1945, despite having discovered and invented everything years prior.

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13. Humphry Davy

Most Famous For Inventing/Discovering: Davy/Arc Lamp, Laughing Gas, Multiple Scientific Elements

Humphry Davy is one of the greatest inventors in history but technically one of the best discoverers too. Davy came up with ingenious concepts to actually make major discoveries. He often worked with electricity, allowing him to make lamps such as the now infamous Davy & Arc Lamps that miners used while mining. Through electricity, he was also able to isolate major elements for the first time.

He essentially discovered Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Strontium, Barium, Magnesium, & Boron. He then discovered the elemental nature of Chlorine & Iodine as well. By doing this, Humphry invented a new form of electrochemistry. Davy also worked and experimented with nitrous oxide, claiming it made him laugh yet also had pain-relieving properties. He nicknamed it, “laughing gas.”

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12. Louis Pasteur

Most Famous For Inventing: Pasteurization, Germ Theory, Vaccines For Rabies & Anthrax

Before French chemist & biologist Louis Pasteur came along, drinking milk or wine was a gamble. He invented a treatment to rid both of possible bacterial contamination. This makes them safer and able to last forever nearly, as well as many of the products they are used in. Pasteurization as it came to be called, is now in use all over the world. Yet Pasteur did far more than this.

He invented the first vaccines for rabies and anthrax, something we still use today. He even found a way to reduce the death rate of puerperal fever, which is a postpartum infection that affects a child or mother. Louis also invented and proved the case of Germ Theory, in that germs are what lead to disease.

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11. Albert Einstein

Most Famous For Inventing/Proposing: Theory Of Relativity, Quantum Physics

The brilliant scientist and theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein is also one of the greatest inventors in world history. This truly has to do with his scientific breakthroughs that allowed other ideas to spark. His Theory of Relativity nowadays is not so much a theory than a fact. This connects to Special Relativity and General Relativity. He is also famous for the invention of Quantum Physics. Einstein also discovered the Cosmological Constant & the Unified Field Theory.

During his work on the Manhattan Project, he assisted the Allies scientifically during World War II. Einstein’s equation (E=mc2) made the bomb theoretically possible, starting the bomb research by the Americans. His work led to the invention of the atom bomb, which was developed during the Manhattan Project, even though Albert did not make it himself.

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10. Hedy Lamarr

Most Famous For Inventing: Spread-Spectrum Technology (The Basis Of Wireless Technology)

Hedy Lamarr was known as one of the world’s most beautiful women. Yet one couldn’t overlook her brilliance, as she went on to invent something we still use to this day. During World War II, Hedy invented a radio guidance system that was designed for Allied torpedoes. It works on frequency-hoping spread spectrum technology that made jamming torpedoes impossible.

Yet the United States Navy did not adopt this technology until the 1960s!! This spread-spectrum tech was more important than anyone ever realized, as it actually changed communication technology forever. It is the true technological backbone of all Wireless technology, including Wi-Fi. We also see it in Bluetooth technology, fax machines, and cell phones.

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9. James Watt

Most Famous For Inventing: Watt Steam Engine, International System Of Units (SI Unit Of Power)

James Watt is a chemist and mechanical engineer that became one of the world’s greatest inventors during his life. He invented the Watt Steam Engine, a major improvement on previous steam engines. The way it differed was through his separate condenser. This helped to make the steam engine more energy efficient as it had been wasting more by having to repeatedly cool and heat the cylinder.

Although his steam engine was a massive innovation, it took time to become a commercial success. Companies had to give it a try, which they were hesitant to do. Upon doing so, people loved it and it became THE steam engine used throughout Europe. In his later years, he developed the concept of horsepower as well as the International System of Units and its unit of power, known today as the SI unit of power. “The Watt” would be included later on as part of this, which is to honor SI’s founder.

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8. Michael Faraday

Most Famous For Inventing: Electromagnetic Rotary Devices, System Of Oxidation Numbers

Michael Faraday is one of the greatest inventors and scientists in world history. He often worked alongside Humphry Davy, where the two worked in the electrical field. Yet it was Faraday who discovered the electromagnetic field. He also proved that magnetism can affect rays of light. Faraday then discovered the principles of electromagnetic induction and diamagnetism.

Through this, he learned the laws of electrolysis, allowing him to invent various electromagnetic rotary devices. This is the main concept behind electric motor technology. Faraday’s work with electricity ultimately made it an energy source possible to use for everyone. He also invented the system of oxidation numbers and even popularized terms like Anode, Cathode, Electrode, and Ion.

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7. George Westinghouse

Most Famous For Inventing: Railway Air Brake, Alternating Current Distribution System

George Westinghouse was a brilliant man and one of the world’s greatest inventors during his time. Working as an engineer, he invented the railway air brake, something that helped all trains stop. In fact, this essential fail-safe system is still in place today in both trains and subways. This made him a wealthy man, allowing him to get into the electrical game with Nikola Tesla.

This allowed Westinghouse to develop the electrical distribution system for alternating current. It’s actually in use today every time you plug something in at home. His AC electrical concept was far better than the direct current because it could flow both ways while DC could only flow one way. George’s AC system is what we all use to power things today.

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6. Robert Fulton

Most Famous For Inventing: First Commercially Successful Steamboat, The Submarine

When you talk about the world’s greatest inventors, the list could not be complete without Robert Fulton. While Fulton did not invent the steamboat, but he did invent the first commercially successful version that could travel long distances.

He was even commissioned by former French General & Emperor Napolean Bonaparte to build what would become the first-ever submarine. He called it the Nautilus and it actually worked very well. On top of this, Fulton invented the first successful naval torpedoes for the British Royal Navy. The man changed travel and how militaries operated forever.

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5. Thomas Edison

Most Famous For Inventing: Phonograph, Movie Camera, Direct Current, The Light Bulb

Thomas Edison is not only one of the greatest inventors in history but possibly the greatest ever. It is not hard to see why. Edison held over 1,000 patents for his inventions during his life. This includes the Phonograph, which was the first sound recorder and player. He also invented the first motion picture camera and opened the first film studio.

Edison used his knowledge of sound to make the first automatic telegraph. He then improved on Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone design by inventing a better transmitter, the “Carbon Telephone Transmitter.” Edison also improved the automobile with his invention of the Alkaline Storage Battery. Thomas is also responsible for inventing direct electrical currents for commercial energy use. This helped in his invention of the light bulb, likely his most notable invention.

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4. Leonardo Da Vinci

Most Famous For Inventing: Helicopter, Parachute, Diving Suit, Machine Gun, Tank

People know Leonardo Da Vinci most for his paintings usually. He painted masterpieces like the Mona Lisa & The Last Supper. Both of these are some of the best artworks in world history. However, Da Vinci was a genius who invented several different yet important things. This includes The Parachute, The Tank, The Machine Gun, Diving Suits, and multiple flying machines.

Da Vinci’s most notable flying machine, the Ariel Screw, is the basis for how helicopters work today. He also invented a robot but passed before building it. We know of this due to the discovery of his notebooks with multiple drawings of inventions he had planned. Leonardo also invented the Revolving Bridge, those bridges that open up to let boats go underneath them when the ship is too large.

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3. Hero of Alexandria

Most Famous For Inventing: The Syringe, Force Pump, First Wind-Powered & Automatically Powered Machines

Hero of Alexandria lived during the Greco-Roman era in Alexandria, Egypt. He is notably a skilled machine maker and mathematician. Hero invented the force pump, the hose firemen use today. The first Syringe was his making, which holds and delivers liquid or air of various types. He is also responsible for the first vending machine!

Hero also invented the first wind-powered machine & the first truly automatic machine. The latter was a fountain that worked on hydro-static energy, now called Heron’s Fountain. He also invented a programmable cart that was powered by a falling weight, which consisted of strings wrapped around a drive axle. The man was even was able to uncover the principle for the shortest path of light. This later became the basis for Alhacen’s principle of reflection & refraction.

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2. Nikola Tesla

Most Famous For Inventing: Alternating Current Tech, Hydro-Electric Energy, Tesla Coil, The Remote Control

Many consider Nikola Tesla to be one of the greatest inventors in history due to inventing multiple things we use in some form today. While working for Thomas Edison, Tesla came up with alternating current technology. Deciding to leave Edison behind, he met with George Westinghouse who financed Tesla’s AC ideas, allowing both men to eventually win the “Current War.”

Yet Tesla knew other ways energy could be utilized. This was when he came up with Hydro-Electric Energy, which he used to power the city of Buffalo, NY at one point. Many feel his Telsa Coil is his most notable invention, however. It laid the foundation for wireless technology, with the radio world still using a form of it today. Oh yeah, and he invented the remote control & discovered Violet Rays.

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1. Archimedes of Syracuse

Most Famous For Inventing: Geometry Of Shapes, Pi, Compound Pullies, Archimedes Screw

Any list of the world’s greatest inventors is not complete without the inclusion of the infamous Archimedes of Syracuse. He invented geometric algorithms, laying the foundation for Calculus among other math forms to work. This includes being the first to use theorems like the area of a circle, surface area, volume, sphere, and the area under a parabola.

He used this to come up with “Pi” too. These theorems allowed him to discover and found statics and hydrostatics, including the entire concept of how levers operated. Later on, people credited him for the invention of compound pullies and the screw pump. The Principle of Buoyancy is credited to him, referred to as the Archimedes Principle. He is also known for, of course, the Archimedes Screw.

Sources: [Live Science, National Geographic, Britannica, Biography.com, History.com, InterestingEngineering.com, AllThatsInteresting.com]

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