North Dakota's Innovations: Combine Harvester, Atom Smasher, Oil Tech, Remote Submarines, and Wind Energy

Combine Harvester

Invented by Herschel V. Smith (1938); combined reaping, threshing, cleaning into one process—revolutionized mechanized farming.

Atom Smasher (Van de Graaff Generator)

NDSU pivotal in 1930s development; foundation for particle accelerators in research, medicine, industry.

Oil Exploration and Production

Bakken formation development transformed state economy; horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing enabled efficient extraction.

Remotely Operated Submarines

NDSU's Center for Aerospace Sciences built the first (Sub-X, 1958); dived to 20,000 ft; used by U.S. Navy.

Wind Energy

State leader in wind farms; efficient turbines and grid integration diversified energy mix.

These innovations highlight North Dakota's contributions to agriculture, physics, energy, defense, and renewables.