From the submarine to Guinness - top ten surprising Irish inventions for St. Patrick's Day

I don't remember if he was an Irishman or not, but the Confederate States had a functioning submarine during the War for Southern Independence (American Civil War). They built three (3) subs, the third one, the Hunley, was the first submarine to sucessfully sink a target in combat. Here's a link to more info on the builders/designers, http://www.hunley.org/main_index.asp?CONTENT=BUILDERS

Some other Irish Inventions. The Harpoon Gun- Thomas Nesbitt The Hypodermic Syringe -Francis Rynd Shorthand Writing-John Gregg of Monaghan The Aircraft Ejector Seat-James Martin of County Down Soda Water-Robert Percival, Professor of Chemistry in Trinity College The Monorail -Louis Brennan of Castlebar in County Mayo Colour Photography -John Joly of Hollywood in County Offaly The Atom Bomb -, Ernest Walton of Dungarvan in Co. Waterford. Rubber Soles - Humphrey O'Sullivan. Milk Chocolate-Sir Hans Sloane.

Guinness is a brand name for stout/porter which was invented in London i believe.

i believe an irishman also invented the submarine during the american civil war.