What have the Spanish ever done for us? Sitting around Spain with their Spanishness, being all Spain-like. Well, let’s look at the evidence shall we?
The Spanish language
Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the world (after Mandarin), so it’s far and away one of the most useful ways of using that tongue of yours. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as saying “una cerveza, porfavor” in one of the 20 countries that lists Spanish as a national language.
Picasso
The first name people think of when asked to name an artist is often Pablo Picasso, a man whose unique artwork is lauded throughout the world.
Olive oil
Spain produces over 40% of the world’s olives, so we pretty much have to thank them for olive oil.
Almodovar
One of the most respected contemporary film directors in the world, Pedro Almodovar is celebrated for his rich depictions of strong women and the way he tackles identity. He also made Penelope Cruz famous, so Javier Bardem should thank him for existing too. Both Bardem and Cruz are Spanish film icons too, as it happens.
Don Quixote
Celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, one of the first books to parody Romantic literature came from Spain. Written by Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote is about an eccentric who has read too many stories and fancies himself as a hero, needlessly going around La Mancha righting wrongs that aren’t really there, including trying to fight windmills he thinks are giants. The book mixes humour and pathos in a way that was unprecedented at the time and it still regularly makes lists of the greatest books ever written.
Paella
Seeing as it contains every food group in a single dish, you could theoretically live off just paella your whole life. Definitely a delicious challenge.
Flamenco
Flamenco is possibly the most accessible dance music there is, seeing as all you need is one guitar and a bunch of people clapping.
Gaudi
Perhaps the most impressive architect who ever lived, Antoni Gaudi was a visionary who remodelled Barcelona into a dream-like cityscape. His influence is still being felt almost 90 years after his death, especially via the Sagrada Familia, the unfinished cathedral that has taken decades to realise.
“Florida”
The name of the state of Florida is Spanish in origin. It means “land of flowers”. It should probably be updated to “land of air conditioners”, but still.
The mop and the disposable hypodermic needle
Can you imagine what your life would be like if Manuel Jalon Corominas hadn’t invented the modern wringable mop? All our kitchen floors would be filthy. He apparently also invented the disposable hypodermic needle in 1978, so he’s also saved perhaps a billion lives through that little marvel too. We still think the mop is more impressive though, just because we don’t have any hypodermic needles in our storage cupboard.
Dali
Salvador Dali famously said “I don’t do drugs. I am drugs,” and he may well have been onto something – he’s been blowing minds and getting people addicted to his art ever since he first waxed up that curious moustache of his.
“Macho”
The word “macho” is Spanish. It means “manly”, as you probably know, but the Spanishness makes it much more suave suddenly. Maybe that’s because the word “suave” is also Spanish in origin.
The guitar
The first classical guitar was invented in Spain in the 8th century. This makes total sense – they did need something to play flamenco on, after all.
Chupa Chups
The name for the world’s favourite lollipop comes from the Spanish word “chupar” meaning “to lick”, and their logo was designed by Salvador Dali. You can’t get more Spanish than that.
El Greco
He may have been born in Crete, but El Greco lived and worked in Spain and he’s seen as a bedrock of the country’s artistic heritage. His stunning otherworldly depictions were revolutionary back at the turn of the 17th century.
The first computer game
In 1914, Leonardo Torres Quevedo invented a mechanical machine that you could play chess against. It was not only the first computerised chess opponent, but technically the first computer game.
Antonio Banderas
He does the voice of Puss in Boots in the Shrek series. That pretty much clinches it for us.
Tapas
A whole meal made of starters? This is how all grub should be eaten – it’s perfect for those of us who just can’t make up our minds which delicious morsels we want from the menu.
Diego Velazquez
Considered to be one of the most masterful artists ever, particularly when it comes to portraiture, Velazquez spent much of his life in Madrid where you can see plenty of his work in the Museo del Prado.
Space suits
The first space suit was created by Emilio Herrera Linares back in 1935. The Russians used it as the basis for their own designs much later when they and the USA decided this Linares chap’s invention should be put to use.
Sherry
Sweet, sharp, and your gran’s favourite at Christmas dinner, all sherry comes from Cadiz in Andalusia.
The Cervantes Institute
Inspiring us all with the literature and language of Spain, branches of the Cervantes Institute can be found all over the world.
Zara
The world’s biggest apparel retailer is the Spanish fashion group Zara. They have shops in 88 different countries and a heck of a lot of satisfied customers.
Chorizo
Sure, this is chorizo is one of the staples of tapas, but it deserves its own nod. Definitely one of our favourite sausages out there, what with all that spicy goodness. Yum!
Bunuel
One of the most important filmmakers of all time, Luis Bunuel stunned audiences during the silent era before going on to making hugely respected international films for the next 50 years.
Ibiza
It’s not for everybody, but modern popular dance music is pretty much synonymous with the Balearic island of Ibiza. Pete Tong should be thanking Spain himself.
Staplers
The first stapler was made way back in the 18th century by people in the Basque country. This is a pretty crazy fact considering there weren’t any proper offices until about a century later.
Goya
Famous for his candid depictions of war and mental patients, Francisco Goya is considered to be one of the first modern masters with his use of political commentary as well as his original framing of classic mythological subjects.
Ok, well the results are in and it’s pretty clear that the Spanish have done a tonne for us all. The world would be a much less interesting place without them. Most of all though, they put up with all those annoying British people that travel to their country, demanding their fried English breakfasts everywhere from Sierra Nevada to Galicia. For this, and all the other things on our list, we salute the people of Spain and give them our heartfelt thanks!
(Featured image: jacinta lluch valero)
