The Truth Behind These Common Inventions That White People Didn’t Actually Create

Throughout history, many inventions have been mistakenly credited to the wrong person, or group. This is especially true when it comes to highlighting European and Western figures, as their roots can even be traced much further back to non-white civilizations.

The truth is, human history is interconnected, and there have been incredible advancements over time to create music genres, beverages, protective devices, and even surgical techniques. Although cultural misattribution is certainly a part of history, there's always time to give credit where credit is due.

To put this list together of things white people claim they come up with but didn't, 247 Tempo reviewed several sources, including Billboard.com, the American Forest and Paper Association, and several university publications. Here are the people truly behind some of our greatest achievements and how we've twisted the truth.

This post was updated on August 6th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

When you think of rock and roll, you can't skip over Elvis. He became such an icon that many credit him for the emergence of the music genre. However, it was Chuck Berry who made it onto the scene first with his unforgettable sound. Billboard.com has no qualms about stating this fact; however, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had a more nuanced approach when inducting Chuck Berry into its 1986 freshman class. They stated, "Chuck Berry came the closest of any single figure to being the one who put all the essential pieces together." Robert Christgau of Billboard.com put it more simply, stating, "…let's get real. Chuck Berry did in fact invent rock'n'roll … none of those musics would have been as rich or seminal without him."

You use it or see it in some capacity every day. Many believe that the invention of paper is credited to Europeans—specifically Johannes Gutenberg. He deserves his own credit for inventing the printing press but paper had already been invented by the time he used it. The misconception about Gutenberg makes sense considering what was going on in the 15th century with the mass production of paper in Europe and the printing revolution in full effect. But it was a Chinese court official, Cai Lun, who invented paper. This occurred during the Han Dynasty. Lun improved upon the available writing materials of the time and developed paper that was both versatile and durable.

You know it as a cup of Joe (or more importantly, as your morning sanity) but coffee wasn't always perfectly packaged into a crisp white cup you can pick up at a drive-thru window. Europeans mistakenly receive credit for coffee but while they didn't invent it, they surely popularized it during the 16th and 17th centuries. This was when coffeehouses were in full swing in well-known cities like Paris and London. But the credit for coffee origins goes to Ethiopians. Noting the excitable effect of certain berries resulted in curiosity that led to exploring those stay-awake effects. Eventually, coffee was cultivated and trade began. You can trace the roasting and brewing process to the Arab world where coffee grew in prominence. Eventually, it reached Europe.

The ancient Greeks often receive credit for the invention of the alphabet. While the Greek alphabet is certainly one of the earliest, it's not the first. The alphabet is foundational, incorporating both symbols and sounds and the first one developed was by the Phoenicians. These are Semitic-speaking folks who inhabited various regions, including Syria and Lebanon. The invention of the true alphabet facilitated written communication, which made it more widely accessible. Other cultures took the Phoenicians' blueprint and adopted it, recognizing the value of its practicality.

There are several Europeans, like Roger Bacon, who are credited with the invention of gunpowder. Though Bacon wrote about the invention, he did so based on knowledge that was already available. Some other European alchemists mistakenly receive credit but the invention of gunpowder occurred during the Tang Dynasty in China. Initially, Chinese alchemists were on a mission to find a potion for everlasting life. What they ended up discovering was gunpowder, which they then ironically used for bombs and firearms. The technology for creating gunpowder proliferated in other regions, including the Islamic world and eventually Europe. Europeans went on to refine it further and turn it into an indispensable aspect of warfare.

Sam Foster is often mistaken as the inventor of sunglasses. However, this is incorrect. Foster was an American entrepreneur and he helped to popularize sunglasses, making them commercially available back in 1929. The true origins of sunglasses date back much further to Inuit cultures and later the 12th century. The Inuit created their own form of sunglasses using materials like wood and bone to prevent snow blindness. In ancient China, sunglasses were made out of smoky quartz but they weren't so concerned about the sun's glare as they were about hiding their emotions. Nevertheless, their sunglasses served a dual purpose.

During the 19th century, rubber products were further developed but condoms can be credited to several other cultures that existed far before the evolution of rubber. For example, in ancient Egypt, sheaths made from animal bladders and linen were used for protection. In pre-Columbian Americas, the Indigenous peoples used animal parts and plant fibers for protection. The condoms you know and use today are a result of the development of these original ideas, especially after Charles Goodyear invented the process of vulcanization.

During the 19th century in the Western world, quilting became an ultra-popular craft and while there have been some beautifully distinctive creations, the origins date further back. Several cultures practiced the art of quilting, including ancient Egyptians, the Chinese, and those inhabiting the Islamic world. Europeans and Americans had a hand in making quilting more mainstream, but the credit for its invention is shared among several other non-white cultures that developed their own intricate designs, each with a special meaning.

It's delicious, there are many variations, and you can find it in nearly any store along with other sweet and salty treats. But chocolate wasn't invented by European figures, though they did help with the production and popularization of these delectable morsels. To discover where chocolate originated, you have to travel further back in time to ancient Mesoamerica when the Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs were experimenting with cacao beans. Chocolate started as a luxurious drink for the Maya civilization. The Aztecs, too, saw the value of cacao beans. They also considered it a special, luxurious beverage that was consumed during religious rituals by those in the higher rankings of their social hierarchy.

During the Renaissance period, several European mathematicians emerged, which led to the misattribution of mathematics to them. These mathematicians made remarkable contributions; however, the invention of mathematics dates back further to several other civilizations. For instance, the ancient Egyptians employed mathematics in their constructions and their study of astronomy. The Babylonians also employed mathematics, specifically algebra and number theory. There were Indian mathematicians, Chinese mathematicians, and Islamic scholars who all contributed to mathematics, influencing the study, creating solutions for systems of equations, and advancing numerical systems, trigonometry, and algebra.

Several European surgeons made notable advancements in surgery, not just with techniques but also with the understanding of anatomy and antiseptic procedures. The origins of surgical techniques can be attributed to ancient Egypt, India, China, and the Islamic world. The "Edwin Smith Papyrus" is traced to ancient Egypt—its medical text outlined several surgical procedures. The "Father of Surgery" was an Indian surgeon named Sushruta and he wrote the medical text "Sushruta Samhita," which outlined details about specific surgical procedures and techniques.