Hydraulic press, 1795
Tin cans, 1810
Joseph Bramah was a locksmith by trade
but also a prolific inventor, with 18
patents for his designs. His most famous
innovation was the hydraulic press
which to this day is still hugely important
in the manufacturing sector.
While it was a Frenchman who first
managed to successfully preserve food
(in a glass container), it was British
merchant Peter Durand who patented
the product, using tin rather than glass.
It is used in the production of car parts
and appliances including fridges, in food
compaction and other processes
involving multipress equipment.
Now more of a convenience food, the
first commercial canned products were
important in preventing malnutrition
during long sea voyages and for soldiers
during the world wars.
locksmith by trade: gelerner Schlosser
malnutrition: Unterernährung
Electric motor, 1821
Michael Faraday created the world’s first
electric motor when creating
experiments to demonstrate
electromagnetic rotation.
Electric motors are found in a huge array
of manufactured goods, from household
appliances to electric watches. They are
therefore important in the
manufacturing industry – both as parts
in manufacturing equipment and in the
actual products made.
Steam engine, 1712
Thomas Newcomen designed his
atmospheric or 'steam' engine in 1712. It
was historically significant as the first
practical device to harness steam to
produce mechanical work. Newcomen’s
engines were used throughout Britain
and Europe, principally to pump water
out of mines.
The next major step occurred when
James Watt developed an improved
version of Newcomen's engine (1763–
1775).
Computer, 1823
Photography, 1835
Charles Babbage is widely recognised as
the inventor of the first mechanical
computer, designing two machines to
calculate complex equations.
This invention by Thomas Wedgwood
not only created a new industry in itself,
but is now used by customers and
businesses alike on a daily basis.
The first programmable computer,
known as Colossus, was developed by
Briton Tommy Flowers in 1943.
Computers have become more and
more sophisticated and are now vital for
both business and personal use.
Henry Fox Talbot was the first person to
produce a negative that could be used
to create multiple photographs. While
this has been superseded by digital
photography, this innovation was
extremely important.
Light bulb, 1878
Chocolate bar, 1847
The chocolate bar was invented by J. S.
Fry & Sons, sparking a complete change
in the way chocolate was used; until
then it had only been consumed as a
drink. Fry’s company merged with
Cadbury in 1919.
Today, the chocolate and confectionary
industry is massive. Chocolate is used in
a wide range of products and as one of
the nation’s favourite snacks, it’s also a
go-to product for many workers
throughout the day.
Various inventors created versions of the
light bulb, but Joseph Swan
demonstrated a working device in 1860
and then patented and started selling his
bulbs in 1880. His light bulbs were the
first in the world to light a house.
In the US, Thomas Edison independently
developed his light bulb at the same
time and then worked to create bulbs
with thinner filaments, leading to a
better design. The rivalry between Swan
and Edison eventually led to a merger,
forming the Edison and Swan Electric
Light Company.
filament: Glühfaden