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While this has been superseded by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