The solar water heater

Although solar water heating predates him, Israeli engineer Levi Yissar built Israel's first practical rooftop solar water heater ('dud shemesh') in the early 1950s and founded its first manufacturer in 1953. Israel became the first country to require them by law and a per-capita world leader in solar hot water.

Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.