Velcro
Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral invented his first touch fastener when, in 1941, he went for a walk in the woods and wondered why Burdock seeds clung to his coat and dog. He discovered it could be turned into something useful. He patented it in 1955 and subsequently refined and developed its practical manufacture until its commercial introduction in the late 1950s.
Acrow prop
The props were invented by Swiss-born William de Vigier, who came to London in 1935. At first traditionalism amongst builders preferred the established timber props, cut to fit for each job. The break for Vigier's adjustable props came when they were adopted by a few large builders, including Sir Robert McAlpine. By 1939, over 40,000 Acrow props were in use.