Indeed, the south has made many contributions to society as a whole. I will only be mentioning a few of the more notable ones on this page.
Pratt Truss Bridge
The Pratt Truss Bridge was developed in by Thomas and Caleb Pratt. Thomas Pratt later went on the be governor of Maryland. This style of bridge became a quintessential style of bridge for both early and later railroads.
The Gas Mask
Invented in 1847, the first gas mask was later patented to Louis Haslett of Kentucky in 1849.
The Inverted Microscope
The first Inverted Microscope was invented by J. Lawrence Smith of Tulane University and the Medical College of Louisiana in 1850. Lawrence unveiled his invention at the 1852 Worlds Fair in London.
Spar Torpedo
The Spar Torpedo is an explosive charge that was employed as a ramming weapon. The torpedo was attacked to a long rod on the front of early military ships. The invention of the Spar Torpedo occurred approximately during 1864. It was developed by E.C. Singer during the Civil War for the Confederate States.
The Airplane (Aeroplane)
The Airplane, called the Aeroplane at the time, was invented in 1903 by Wilber and Orville Wright. The Wrights were originally from Ohio, but moved to the South to perfect and fly their plane.
The Self-Service Supermarket
The first Self-Service Grocery Store was built in Mephis, Tennesse by Clarence Saunders in 1916.
The Tow Truck
The first tow truck was built by Ernest Holmes of Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1916 after having to pull a car from a ditch - a task that required rope, blocks, and six men.
The list of Southern Innovations goes on and on.