I've made several themes on English inventions and innovations in the past, and here is another fun one based on when England defeated Wales 68-14 in the Six Nations rugby match held in Cardiff, March 16, 2025. This was their highest points conceded against England. Pictured is debutant Henry Pollock who scared two tries for the team.
Here are 68 inventions and innovations to honour that English result! - in no particular order.
1. Birth of Lunar Cartography - Thomas Harriot
In 1609 Thomas Harriot beat the Italian philosopher Galileo by a few months to become the first man to view the moon through a telescope and map it. The new evidence was found in the papers of the 'moon maps' which went on display at West Sussex record office to coincide with the launch of the 2009 International year of Astronomy. He is referred to as the "English Galileo."
2. Sewing Machine - Thomas Saint
Often considered the first functional sewing machine design, using a mechanical means to stitch fabric together, which was a significant advancement over manual sewing methods. His design featured a single-thread chain stitch and laid the groundwork for future sewing machine developments. His patent served as a source of inspiration for later inventors. Notably, subsequent machines developed by Elias Howe and Isaac Singer built on key aspects of Saint's design.
3. Typewriter - Henry Mill
One of the earliest designs for a typewriter, he received a patent for it, which he described using a notation. However, although there is no historical evidence that Mill's typewriter was ever built, it must have existed in some shape or form, because Queen Anne of England granted Henry Mill a patent (No. 395) in 1714 for: "an artificial machine or method for the impressing or transcribing of letters, singly or progressively one after the other, as in writing, whereby all writings whatsoever may be engrossed on paper or parchment so neat and exact as not to be distinguished from print... the impression being deeper and more lasting than any other writing, and not to be erased or counterfeited without manifest discovery."
4. Wedding Cake (Bride Cake) - Elizabeth Raffald (Maiden name Whitaker)
The 'Bride Cake' was a blueprint for the modern wedding cake. This cake was typically elaborately decorated and served at weddings, symbolizing wealth and celebration. The ingredients can be found on the Tasting History website, starting with "To make a Bride Cake," from her cookery book, "The Experienced English Housekeeper," published in 1769.
5. Faraday Cage - Michael Faraday
Created the first structure to demonstrate the blocking of harmful electromagnetic radiation and make them safer by using a specially constructed conductive metal container known as the "Faraday Cage." This concept is fundamental in everyday life, from microwaves to computers, from cars to aircraft, and MRI machines and more.
6. Seed Drill - Jethro Tull
Invented in 1701. His seed drill created a hole of specific depth, dropping in a seed, and covering it over, three rows at a time. The result was an increased rate of germination, and a much-improved crop yield up to eight times. The drill was exported to England's colonies.
7. Clockwork Radio (Wind-up Radio) – Trevor Baylis
Officially the Baylis Risk Radio did not require batteries or electricity as it was powered solely by a wind-up crank. This radio provided access to news and music, proving to be a hit in South Africa, where electricity can be expensive and impractical. The patent for his radio was acquired by the South African company Freeplay in 1996, aimed at manufacturing it for rural Africans and refugees who have no access to batteries or electricity.
8. ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) Processor – Sophie Wilson
Sophie designed the processor architecture and memory management, ensuring efficient processing and low power consumption, while fellow English engineer Steve Furber turned the design into a working chip. "The ARM processor core is now used in thousands of different products, from mobile phones and tablets to digital televisions and video games." (Computer History Museum on Sophie Wilson).
9. The Twelve Days of Christmas - Frederic Austin
Although there were many variations and origins of this carol, it was composer Frederic Austin in 1909 with his arrangement and the inclusion of the well-known melodic and structural element that made it the one we all came to know and love.
10. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
He is considered the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. One of his influential works was the famous fictional novel A Christmas Carol, which immortalized Christmas, its phrases, and its traditions, including the turkey as central to the traditional Christmas dinner, while notably popularizing the infamous miserly character "Scrooge," now synonymous in the English language with someone ungenerous and unpleasant. "One could say that Charles Dickens has probably had more influence on the way we celebrate Christmas today than any single individual in human history." - The Charles Dickens Page.
11. Cast Iron and the First Metal Bridge
Ironmaster Abraham Darby developed a coke iron process, a smelting technique that produced pig iron more efficiently. In 1709, at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, Abraham Darby I discovered and developed this technique in the Coalbrookdale blast furnace, marking the beginning of England's Industrial Revolution in iron. The coke-smelted cast iron was used in steam engines, bridges, and many inventions of the 19th century. Only through coke smelting could the vast quantities of iron required to meet the demands of the Industrial Revolution be produced. The Darby family included several generations of English Quakers. Abraham Darby III built the world's first metal bridge, a cast iron structure known as the Iron Bridge, in 1779 over the River Severn near Coalbrookdale. The bridge was constructed based on plans by English architectural designer Thomas Pritchard, who was originally set to build it but died that year.
12. Modern Car Contributions - Frederick Lanchester
It was said he developed Britain's first four-wheeled petrol-driven car in 1895. This led the president of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, Percy Kidner, to state, 'It would not be an exaggeration to call Frederick Lanchester the designer of the first genuine automobile.' Regarding his contributions to the modern car, The Autocar magazine once remarked, "Out of the 36 primary features found in the modern car, Lanchester was responsible for inventing 18." In an article by award-winning author Richard Bryant of the Lindfield History Project Group, he states: "Frederick, a visionary genius, was responsible for many significant inventions in automobile engineering, including disc-type brakes, an ‘automatic’ transmission system, power steering, four-wheel drive, fuel injection, the dynamic balancing of engines, and low-voltage ignition. In his life, he filed 426 patents, ranging from components for reproducing music to a color photographic process."
13. Christmas Pudding - Eliza Acton
A pioneering food writer and cook who introduced the recipe and coined the name "Christmas pudding" in her 1845 cookbook, "Modern Cookery for Private Families." Drawing from her own family recipe, her version was based on the traditional medieval plum pudding but offered a more refined approach. Acton's cookbook was notable for listing ingredients separately, a first in recipe writing. Fellow English cook and TV personality Delia Smith once called her "the best writer of recipes in the English language." Her Christmas pudding recipe included suet, flour, breadcrumbs, dried fruits, spices, and treacle, emphasizing thorough mixing and slow steaming for optimal texture and flavor.
14. The Photography Negative - William Henry Fox Talbot
He was the first to make multiple prints from a single negative. He invented the negative-positive process, which he called the "Calotype," derived from the Greek word "kalo," meaning "beautiful." These negatives could be used to create multiple prints, and this process revolutionized image-making.
15. Lawn Mower - Edwin Budding
His patent of 25 October 1830 described: "A new combination and application of machinery for the purpose of cropping or shearing the vegetable surfaces of lawns, grass-plats, and pleasure grounds." The patent went on to state, "Country gentlemen may find in using my machine themselves an amusing, useful, and healthy exercise." Today, examples of the early Budding mowers have been preserved in Stroud Museum, Milton Keynes Museum and the London Science Museum.
16. Vacuum Cleaner - Henry Cecil Booth
A horse-drawn, petrol-driven unit the size of a milk float worked from outside the house. Invented in 1901, Booth's design was the first to use suction to clean floors, greatly improving the efficiency of household cleaning. His next model was electric-powered and operated from a motorized van, forming part of his British Vacuum Cleaner Company (BVCC). Although they were quite large, these vacuum cleaners served as predecessors for industrial use and paved the way for models that could be adapted for more practical household use.
17. Modern Railway Signalling - John Saxby
The invention of the interlocking system of points and signals made rail travel vastly safer by making it impossible to route trains into each other.
18. Agricultural Steam Engines - John Fowler
Agricultural engineer who was a pioneer in the use of steam engines for ploughing and digging drainage channels. His inventions significantly reduced the cost of ploughing farmland, and also enabled the drainage of previously uncultivated land in many parts of the world.
19. The Small Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM) - Tom Kilburn, Freddie Williams & Geoff Tootill
The SSEM, also known as the Manchester Baby, was developed at Manchester University in 1948. It was the world's first electronically stored computer program. This led to the Manchester Mark 1, built by Tom Kilburn and Freddie Williams, which was an improvement on the SSEM. The UK company Ferranti Ltd acquired the rights to the Mark 1 to modify and market it for commercial use, thus making it the world's first commercially available general-purpose computer. They named it the Ferranti Mark 1, which was made available for sale in 1951.
20. Light Bulb - Joseph Swan
Distinct from the arc lamps of the time, Swan used a carbonized paper filament enclosed in a vacuum-sealed glass bulb, which produced light when an electric current passed through it. This design was patented in 1878 and represented a more practical and safer alternative to the gas lighting and arc lamps that were prevalent at the time. Underhill House in Gateshead, the former home of Swan, became the first domestic property in the world to be wired with light bulbs for electric lighting. In 2005, a blue plaque was placed on the house by Gateshead Council to commemorate this achievement. It's interesting to note, American Thomas Edison had been working on a version of the light bulb too and sought a patent in the same year, lost out to Swan over the original invention of it. Edison was granted a patent in 1879.
21. London Underground Map – Harry Beck
It was revolutionary, yet it was renowned for its simplicity and clarity, designed in 1931. Beck's design used a non-geographical, abstract layout that represented the lines and stations of the underground network in a straightforward and easy-to-read manner, rather than adhering to actual geographical locations. His innovative approach was adopted by countries around the world.
22. Railway Ticket - Thomas Edmondson
Known as the 'Edmondson Railway Ticket', a pre-printed railway ticket that included features like a tear-off portion. The ticket design helped to standardize ticketing systems and was adopted around the world.
23. Christmas Card - Henry Cole
Commercial Christmas card sent in 1843, Cole's friend and artist John Callcott Horsley was the one who designed it. The card depicted a festive scene of a family celebrating Christmas and included the greeting "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."
24. Genetic Fingerprinting Techniques & DNA Profiling - Alec Jeffreys
His work led to the implementation of DNA profiling and DNA databases by police forces in many countries. Jeffreys openly accepts that since his 1984 discovery of how to identify people through variations in their DNA, he will always be labeled as "Mr. DNA Fingerprinting" or "The Father of Genetic Fingerprinting." However, he takes great pleasure in the immense impact his discovery has had and acknowledges, "It, more than anything, has put DNA right up into the public eye. It brought it into everybody’s living room." - University of Leicester (in an interview with him where he is the professor of genetics.)
25. Hip Replacement - John Charnley
His innovative approaches transformed hip surgery, allowing countless patients to regain mobility and improve their quality of life. This revolutionary procedure, alongside advancements in materials such as stainless steel, has reshaped the landscape of orthopedic treatment and significantly enhanced patient outcomes. On his general contributions to Medicine, the British Society for Rheumatology stated: "Charnley's contributions to orthopaedic sciences and surgery are so vast that it would be difficult to do justice when attempting to present more than a mere outline." - British Society for Rheumatology.
26. Intraocular Lens - Harold Ridley
An artificial lens implant that is used in place of natural ones in cataract surgery. "Cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation has become the most common and most successful of all operations in medicine. His first cataract extraction with implantation of an IOL marked the beginning of a major change in the practice of ophthalmology." - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology: "He Changed the World, So That We Might Better See It."
27. Adjustable Spanner - Richard Clyburn
Invented in 1842 and patented in 1843. It it affectionately known as the "English key" or simply the "Clyburn spanner." In Spain it is called "llave inglesa," which literally means "English key."
28. Christmas Cracker - Tom Smith
It all started when he was a confectioner and set up a shop in Goswell Road, Clerkenwell, London, in the 1840s: "During a trip to Paris, he discovered the French 'bon bon,' a sugared almond wrapped in a twist of tissue paper. Bonbons proved to be a hit at Christmas time, and to encourage year-round sales, Smith added a small love motto inside the wrapper. The inspiration to add the explosive 'pop' was supposedly sparked by the crackling sound of a log fire. Smith patented his first cracker device in 1847 and perfected the mechanism in the 1860s. It used two narrow strips of paper layered together, with silver fulminate painted on one side and an abrasive surface on the other. When pulled, friction created a small explosion. Tom’s son, Walter, added elaborate hats made of fancy paper and sourced novelties and gifts from Europe, America, and Japan." - Victoria and Albert Museum.
29. Modern Forensic Science - Bernard Spilsbury
A Pathologist who popularized and advanced the standards of forensic pathology, and first to introduce a Murder Bag (Detective's Box) to a crime scene. The murder bag was a specialized bag containing protective gear and tools to handle and retrieve evidence such as rubber gloves, tweezers, forceps, a magnifying glass, compass, ruler, and cotton swabs. "At his most productive, in the 1930s, Spilsbury was performing an astonishing 750 to 1,000 post-mortem examinations per year. He undertook more than 25,000 in his long career. Knighted in 1923, he was renowned as a pathologist who helped to establish the profession as a science." - History of Kilburn and West Hampstead.
30. Psycho Film - Alfred Hitchcock
Regarded as the first in the "slasher" genre, although fellow English director Michael Powell's "Peeping Tom" could also have a similar claim, but it was less intense with the onus on the victim, not the killer. Liverpool University Press stated: "Psycho, with its stabbing soundtrack, fast editing, and blood, feels far more violent. But audiences were more shocked by Peeping Tom because while in Psycho we are the victim, in Peeping Tom we are the killer."
31. Cavity Magnetron (Centimetric Radar) - John Randall & Harry Boot
They improved the cavity magnetron in 1940 to enable centimetric radar systems, which meant it was small enough to be miniaturized for use in aircraft. This innovation significantly enhanced radar efficiency in World War Two, with the magnetron generating over 400 watts of power at a wavelength of 9.8 cm—approximately one hundred times more than earlier technologies. Centimetric radars are widely used for various applications, including weather monitoring, aircraft navigation, maritime surveillance, and ground-penetrating radar. They were honored for their invention with the RSA Thomas Gray Memorial Prize in 1943 for "improving the safety of life at sea." In 1946, they received a Royal Commission Inventors Award; in 1958, the Franklin Institute John Price Wetherill Medal; and in 1959, the City of Pennsylvania John Scott Award. Miniaturized magnetrons later formed the heart of microwave ovens.
32. Screw-Cutting Lathe and Rope-Forming Machine - Henry Maudslay
Could cut screws with incredible accuracy and allowed for the standardization of sizes for the first time. This original screw-cutting lathe is housed in the Science Museum in London. The Rope forming machines, where he developed working models of fellow civil engineer Marc Brunel's pulley blocks, were used for mass production for the Royal Navy at the Royal Dockyard in Portsmouth. This represented the world's first mass production line, a full century before Henry Ford implemented such a system in the United States.
33. Hovercraft - Christopher Cockerell
The first practical hovercraft, known as the SR.N1 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 1), was launched in 1959 and marked a significant advancement in this type of vehicle. It was a vehicle capable of traveling over land and water, mud, and ice, by creating a cushion of air beneath it. It revolutionized transportation in challenging environments. Hovercraft-type vehicles are now used around the world for military applications, rescue operations, and passenger services.
34. Stereoscopy - Charles Wheatstone
He created the illusion of 3D from flat images, said to have preceded the invention of photography. He also coined the term 'stereoscope’. Queen guitarist Brian May gave a lecture in 2016 on these new findings from new information found in the Science Museum’s archives: 'Charles Wheatstone: the father of 3D and virtual reality technology.'
35. Domestos - Wilfred Handley
A disinfectant and sterilizer. Handley started out by manufacturing chemicals from his garden shed. He acquired sodium hypochlorite from the local chemical industries. He called his venture, Hygienic Disinfection Service, in 1929, assisted by his wife Ive, he would make door-to-door sales. He formed a private company in 1936 and established his first factory. The business was sold to Unilever (an English-Dutch company) in 1961, and now it is a global brand: "Domestos is a leading brand in nearly every market where it is sold." (Quoted from an article on the 'Let's Look Again' website titled "Life's a Bleach: A History of Domestos.")
36. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)- Emily Williamson & Eliza Phillips
They co-founded it in 1889, advocating for the welfare and conservation of birds that were being threatened by fashion trends that favored feathered hats and ornaments. Their grassroots movement sparked a profound awareness of the importance of protecting wildlife and led to significant changes in public attitudes toward birds and conservation. The RSPB grew into one of the most influential conservation organizations in the world, promoting the protection of birds and their habitats, engaging in scientific research, and running campaigns to ensure that future generations recognize the value of biodiversity.
37. Bow Street Runners - Henry Fielding
Established in 1748 to prevent crime. As a predecessor to modern professional police forces, the Bow Street Runners were extremely important as they proved to lawmakers and the general public that a professional police force could be trusted to reduce crime. They worked for the Bow Street magistrates to catch criminals, detect crime, investigate crimes, and prevent future crimes through street presence and effect criminal investigation.
38. Modern Police Force - Robert Peel
As Home Secretary in government he established the London Metropolitan Police in 1829, which was a Government run Constable Police force based on what would be termed the 'Peelian Principles' or 'Nine Points Of The Law'. It made it superior to the French system of the time and became the blueprint for the American police and most Industrial nations. Peel's Nine Principles really summed up the difference between the two - The English constable as a product of the Common Law (i.e., a member of the public who is paid full time to attend to matters all members of the public are required by civic duty to do - obey and enforce the law) versus the Continental (civil law) model (i.e., an agent of the state enforcing the laws the state creates for its own security).
39. Kinemacolor - George Albert Smith
It was the first successful color motion picture process used commercially in films from 1909 to 1915. However, before him, fellow Englishman William Friese Greene produced the first process of true natural-color cinematography in 1898. He eventually developed a total of four different color methods. His experiments in color film were not commercially viable, but Greene's work was the starting point for the evolution of color cinematography that followed.
40. Discovery of the Neutron - James Chadwick
His discovery, in 1932, was a significant milestone in nuclear physics and helped to advance the understanding of atomic structure. He wrote the final draft of the MAUD Report in 1941, which inspired the U.S. government to begin serious atom bomb research efforts. He was the head of the British team that worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II. He was awarded the 1935 Nobel Prize in Physics and was knighted in 1945 for his achievements in physics.
41. Stocking Frame - William Lee
Lee mechanized the knitting process and invented the knitting frame. See the wonderful site about English knitting innovators called 'Knitting Together: The Heritage of the East Midlands Knitting Industry.'
42. All-Ceramic, One-Piece Flush Toilet [Today's Toilet] - Thomas Twyford
He also built the first ever purpose-built Sanitaryware Factory in 1887 in Cliff Vale, Stoke on Trent. It was known for producing high-quality sanitary ware, including toilets, sinks, and other bathroom fittings. His factories played a key role in promoting health and hygiene through sanitation. They became the model for the world.
43. Lara Croft - Toby Gard
He created the game character for the video game developer Core Design when he created the Tomb Raider concept and the Lara Croft fictional character going into tombs and pyramids. It was first released in 1996. Now Tomb Raider computer games are global and even made into films, giving the heroine world iconic status. On his Twitter account (now X), he affectionately called himself "Lara Croft's Daddy.". Here is a interview with him in 1996: Lara's Lost Father – The Toby Gard Interview
44. Public Toilets - George Jennings
He created the first public toilets of the modern era, initially set up in the Crystal Palace during the Great Exhibition in 1851, and later expanded across London. This initiative led to similar developments throughout England and Britain.
45. Electric Telegraph - Charles Wheatstone & William Fothergill Cooke
They invented and patented the first commercial electric telegraph in 1837. On the 4th of September the first message was sent on a telegraph wire to a receiver Cooke and Wheatstone built from London’s Euston to Camden Town. Today, a Cooke and Wheatstone electric telegraph from 1837 is displayed at the London Science Museum.
46. Meccano, Hornby Model Railways, and Dinky Toys - Frank Hornby
He was a pioneering figure in British toy manufacturing. Meccano, invented in 1898, introduced children to the principles of engineering and construction through its interlocking metal strips and bolts, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. His Hornby Model Railways, first launched in 1920, for model train enthusiasts, while Dinky Toys, released in 1934, offered intricate die-cast miniature vehicles. Together, these brands significantly influenced children's play, encouraging imaginative scenarios and practical construction techniques still appreciated by hobbyists today.
47. Tin Can - Peter Durand
His invention of the tin can in 1810 marked a significant breakthrough in food preservation and storage. By patenting the method to can food, he enabled the long-term preservation of perishable goods without the need for refrigeration. This innovation had monumental implications for the food industry, allowing for safer transportation and distribution of products and introducing convenience to consumers. As a result, tin cans became a staple for preserving meats, fruits, and vegetables, transforming dietary practices and contributing to the growth of the global food trade, particularly during times of war and famine.
48. Corrugated Iron - Henry Palmer
He invented corrugated iron, a material that combines strength with lightweight properties. His approach involved rolling iron sheets into undulating shapes, which increased their load-bearing capacity while maintaining a manageable weight. Corrugated iron became popular for roofing and siding due to its resistance to weather and rust, making it ideal for industrial, commercial, and residential construction. Its affordability and versatility revolutionized building practices, leading to its widespread use around the world, from urban centers to remote structures, and establishing it as a foundational material in modern architecture.
49. Light Switch - John Henry Holmes
He revolutionized the way we control electric lighting with his invention of the light switch in the late 19th century. His design provided a simple yet effective mechanism to turn lights on and off, enhancing safety and convenience in homes and public spaces. Before this innovation, lighting systems were cumbersome and often involved complex setups. The light switch contributed to the widespread adoption of electric lighting, allowing for more efficient use of light in various environments and significantly improving quality of life. Today, the light switch remains a common and essential feature in every building.
50. HP Sauce - Frederick Gibson Garton
A tangy brown sauce that has become an iconic condiment in British cuisine since its creation in the late 19th century. The sauce, which boasts a unique blend of tomatoes, malt vinegar, and spices, was initially developed for use with meat dishes. Its popularity soared, and HP Sauce became a staple in British households, often associated with the full English breakfast and traditional meals. The brand's name is thought to come from its association with the Houses of Parliament, giving it a touch of British charm that continues to resonate with consumers today.
51. Turbojet Engine - Frank Whittle
His engine was a jet propulsion system that burned fuel directly in a high-speed airflow, vastly increasing the speed and efficiency of aircraft. Patented in 1930, he developed and tested his design over the following years, leading to the creation of the first British jet aircraft, the Gloster E.28/39, which flew in May 1941. In contrast, German engineer Hans von Ohain also developed a jet engine independently; his design flew in the Heinkel He 178 aircraft in August 1939. Whittle's work laid the foundation for the modern aviation industry, transforming air travel and military aviation. The turbojet engine not only shortened travel times but also changed the dynamics of air defense and commercial flight, making it one of the most significant technological advancements of the 20th century.
52. American Anthem Tune & Lyrics - John Stafford Smith & Francis Scott Key. The tune came from “The Anacreontic Song,” or “To Anacreon in Heaven,” which was the official song of the Anacreontic Society, an 18th-century gentlemen's club of amateur musicians in London. It was composed by Englishman John Stafford Smith. Francis Scott Key, of English ancestry, wrote the lyrics on September 14, 1814, after witnessing the failed bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Both the tune and the lyrics were adopted for "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem of the United States of America in 1931.
53. Standardized Dartboard - Brian Gamlin
Introduced in 1896. A carpenter named Brian Gamlin from Lancashire, England, devised a specific design that incorporates the numbering system we use today. His design aimed to create a more balanced game by ensuring an equal distribution of scoring areas.
54. Standardized Chess Tournaments - Howard Staunton
He did a lot for chess, including promoting the chess set that is standard today: the Staunton Chess Set. Nathaniel Cooke designed it in 1849 and named it after Staunton because of his promotion of the set. It is now the most commonly used set and is endorsed by FIDE as the standard chess set. Howard has openings named after him, including the Staunton Gambit and the common English Opening, which is still played regularly today. He was the unofficial world champion (although the title never existed at the time) when he beat the world's strongest player, Frenchman Pierre Saint-Amant, in 1843. He was instrumental in organizing the world's first chess tournament in London in 1851, a knockout tournament that included consistent use of time controls, rules, and notation as we know them today.
55. Bobbin net Lace machine (aka 'the English net') - John Heathcoat. (he built a lace factory and acquired houses for his workforce in Tiverton, England, and even a school for their children to read and write. At his death two miles of black cloth were laid in the street from his house to the church of where he was buried - As told on the BBC antique show Flog It.
56. Plasticine - William Harbutt
He invented Plasticine in 1897 as a non-drying, malleable clay intended for use in sculpting and art education. It allowed students and artists to create detailed models and sculptures without the limitations of drying or hardening. The material soon caught the attention of children and toy manufacturers, leading to its commercialization in the form we know today. With vibrant colors and a forgiving texture, Plasticine is now a staple in creative play and art projects worldwide, inspiring generations of young artists.
57. Wet Collodion Process - Frederick Archer
The wet collodion process, developed by him in the 1850s, significantly advanced the field of photography by allowing for the rapid production of sharp, detailed images on glass plates. This innovative technique involved coating glass plates with collodion, which produced a negative image capable of great detail and clarity in just minutes. The process represented a revolution in photographic technology because it offered photographers a means to create multiple negatives quickly, which could then be printed in various formats. The wet collodion process set the stage for the future of photography, influencing later techniques and contributing to the growth of the profession, paving the way for modern photographic methods.
58. The EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) - Maurice Wilkes
It performed its first calculation on 6th May 1949. His laboratory's computer at Cambridge was the first practical stored program computer to be completed, in June 1949. In 1967 he won the prestigious Turing Award with the citation: Professor Wilkes is best known as the builder and designer of the EDSAC, the first computer with an internally stored program. Built in 1949, the EDSAC used a mercury delay line memory. He is also known as the author, with Wheeler and Gill, of a volume on 'Preparation of Programs for Electronic Digital Computers' in 1951, in which program libraries were effectively introduced. He received the Harry H Goode Memorial Award in 1968.
59. Fingerprinting - Sir Francis Galton
He popularized a method for classifying fingerprints in 1892, one that is still used today. After he conducted statistical research into the likelihood of two people having the same sets of fingerprints, Galton set about categorizing different types of fingerprint patterns into broad classifications: the plain arch; the tented arch; the simple loop; the central pocket loop; the double loop; the lateral pocket loop; the plain whorl; and the accidental. Galton also helped build the scientific foundation for studies that would back up his system, helping it to gain traction in the courts.
60. Lifeboat - Lionel Lukin
Known as the inventor, other claimants are fellow Englishmen William Wouldhave and Henry Francis Greathead. On a side note, Lukin's father belonged to an old Essex family, and on his mother's side, he was descended from Lionel Lane, who was one of the great Englishman Robert Blake's vice admirals.
61. Slavery Abolition - William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce built on the efforts of fellow English anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson, who has many things around the world named in his honor. Wilberforce emerged as a leading voice in the abolitionist movement, working closely with Clarkson and other activists to advocate for change. His tireless efforts helped lead to the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which banned the trade in slaves. However, it wasn't until Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, during the tenure of Prime Minister Charles Grey (2nd Earl Grey, the namesake of Earl Grey tea), that slavery itself was completely prohibited. Wilberforce died just three days after learning that the act had passed.
62. Thermosiphon - Thomas Fowler
The first convective heating system utilized in various heating applications. (see: 'The Thomas Fowler Story by John McKay'). He patented the thermosiphon in 1828 (British patent number 5711). It was the first convective heating system. A system based on his design was installed at Bicton, part of the Rolle Estate and received great acclaim in the Gardener's Magazine of 1829. Unfortunately due to innate flaws in the patent system of the time (under which a new version of a design with minimal changes was not covered by the original patent), the thermosiphon was copied by numerous other manufacturers and Fowler did not have sufficient funds to conduct legal proceedings.
63. Subbuteo - Peter Adolph
A football game called "Subbuteo" played with miniaturized figurines on a green felt pitch representing a soccer field. It was created by Peter Adolph. Players use their fingers to flick the figures, aiming to move them and score goals. Patented in 1948, the game was sold in 1970 to Waddingtons, a company known for making board and card games, founded by John Waddington. Waddingtons is recognized for producing some of the best games of all time, including Cluedo, which was invented by Anthony Ernest Pratt.
64. American Football - Walter Camp
Known as the "Father of American Football," he established rules and organized the structure of the game. Although born in America, his first immigrant ancestor was the English colonist Nicholas Camp, who came from Nazeing, Essex, England, and arrived in colonial New England in 1630.
65. Thermostat Controlled Kettle - Dr. John C Taylor
Invented a safety mechanism in 1955 that prevented electric kettles overheating by automatically switching them off. It was thermostat-controlled, which ensured the kettle switched off after the water was boiled, thus preventing (especially the commonplace plastic kettle today) from overheating. He is also credited with the invention of the 360-degree cordless connector for kettles. This innovative design allows the kettle to be lifted off the base in any direction, providing greater convenience and flexibility for users.
66. Modern soap - Andrew Pears
Of which the famous company Pears Soap was established in 1807. It was a pure & transparent soap using a method he described as a "curious chemical process by which soap is separated from all the impure and noxious substances”. Andrew's grandson-in-law, Thomas J. Barratt, played a significant role in marketing Pears Soap and is often called the "Father of Modern Advertising." He was instrumental in developing the brand and creating effective advertising campaigns in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
67. Fire Engine - Robert Newsham
The earliest practical model for putting out fires. A four-wheeled construction with two levers with two men to pump the water out onto a fire from 40 meters. It was called The Newsham Fire Pump. In 1721 and 1725, Newsham patented designs for a "water engine for the quenching and extinguishing of fires," with a cistern that could hold as much as 170 gallons of water. Newsham's designs dominated the market for fire engines well into the 1770s, even extending overseas.
68. Miss World (beauty pageant) - Eric Morley
Created by him in 1951. Over 100 women from different countries are represented. The 56th Miss World Finals that was in Warsaw, Poland in September 2006, was first time ever that the pageant was held in an European city other than London, England.
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