A Sample Compilation of 100 English Innovative Firsts
1. First Blood Transfusion
James Blundell was a obstetrician born in London in 1790, who pioneered the field of human-to-human blood transfusion. After observing many women die from postpartum hemorrhage, Blundell performed the first successful human blood transfusion in 1818, using a syringe to transfer blood from a patient's husband to the woman. He later devised specialized instruments for the procedure, including the Gravitator, which used a gravity-fed funnel and syringe, and the Impellor, which infused blood under pressure into the recipient. He conducted ten documented transfusions between 1825 and 1830, publishing his findings in The Lancet, establishing the principle of using blood from the same species. While only about half of his attempts were successful due to the unknown risk of blood type incompatibility, his work was foundational in reviving the procedure, with his innovative tools representing a significant development in early transfusion equipment.
2. First Practical Electric Motor
In 1832, William Sturgeon built a rotary electromagnetic engine capable of performing mechanical work. He is often credited with inventing the commutator — a device for directing electric current in a single direction — which later became a standard component in magneto-electrical machines (Dictionary of National Biography). Sturgeon’s early motor reportedly turned a meat-roasting spit, offering a concrete demonstration of mechanical output. The Science Museum in London preserves a wooden replica of this 1832 motor, described in their collection as “used to turn a meat-roasting spit” (Science Museum Group). By incorporating a rotating electromagnet and the innovative commutator, Sturgeon’s design marked a key milestone in the development of practical electric motors.
3. First Commercial Electric Telegraph
Charles Wheatstone and William Fothergill Cooke patented the first successful commercial electric telegraph system in 1837. Their invention used multiple wires and needle indicators to transmit coded messages over long distances, allowing rapid communication between London’s Euston and Camden Town railway stations, where it was first successfully demonstrated on September 4th. This breakthrough revolutionized communication by enabling near-instant transmission of information. An original Cooke and Wheatstone telegraph from 1837 is now preserved at the Science Museum in London.
4. First Modern Flush Toilet
In 1596, Sir John Harington—courtier and godson of Queen Elizabeth I—designed one of the earliest modern flush toilets. His invention featured a raised cistern, a valve at the base of the pan, and a system of levers and weights to flush water downward, efficiently removing waste. He installed the device at his home in Kelston and at Richmond Palace for the queen. However, it lacked a water seal to block odors. The S-bend, invented 179 years later, solved much of this problem, though such toilets could still fail if the bend became blocked or dried out (the later U-bend was superior, and today the P-trap is standard).
5. First to Map the Moon by Telescope
Thomas Harriot made the first known telescopic drawing of the Moon on 26 July 1609, months before Galileo. Often called the “English Galileo,” Harriot’s work on motion and astronomy has been studied by historians such as Matthias Schemmel, a German historian of science and senior researcher at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, in his book The English Galileo: Thomas Harriot’s Work on Motion as an Example of Preclassical Mechanics. Although Harriot never published his findings, his detailed lunar sketches are preserved at the West Sussex Record Office and were publicly exhibited in 2009 to mark the 400th anniversary of telescopic astronomy.
6. First Meccano Construction Kits
Frank Hornby’s 1898 prototype and 1901 patent introduced metal construction kits featuring perforated strips, wheels, nuts, and bolts, allowing children to build mechanical models. Originally patented as Mechanics Made Easy, the kit was rebranded as Meccano in 1907, and Hornby founded Meccano Ltd in 1908. The success of Meccano led to factories worldwide and the creation of two separate brands: Hornby Model Railways and Dinky Toys. Hornby Model Railways launched in 1920 with the Hornby Clockwork Train, offering miniature train layouts for children and adults alike. Dinky Toys followed in 1934, introducing a popular line of miniature cars and trucks.
7. First to Professionalize Forensic Pathology
Bernard Spilsbury advanced and professionalized forensic pathology between 1910 and the 1930s by setting new standards through thousands of post-mortem examinations and expert courtroom testimony. He popularized the "Murder Bag"—a crime scene kit containing rubber gloves, tweezers, forceps, a magnifying glass, compass, ruler, and cotton swabs—which improved the handling and retrieval of forensic evidence. As noted in a blog on the History of Kilburn and West Hampstead, “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 establish the profession as a science."
8. First to Develop a Form of Calculus
Isaac Newton began developing his version of calculus—called the “method of fluxions”—around 1665–1666, when Cambridge University was closed during the Great Plague. Working from his family home, he used this method to analyze motion, change, and dynamic systems, forming a key part of his later work on gravity and mechanics. German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz independently developed his own version of calculus, publishing it in 1684.
9. First Computer Programmer and First Computer Program
Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace—commonly known as Ada Lovelace—is recognized as the world’s first computer programmer. Between 1842 and 1843, she translated an article by Italian mathematician Luigi Menabrea on Charles Babbage’s proposed Analytical Engine and supplemented it with extensive notes that exceeded the length of the original text. Among these was Note G, which described an algorithm for calculating Bernoulli numbers—widely regarded as the first published computer program. The daughter of the poet Lord Byron, Ada was a gifted mathematician and writer who collaborated closely with Babbage. Her visionary insights demonstrated that machines could be used for more than mere arithmetic, laying the conceptual groundwork for modern computing.
10. First to Turn Penicillin into a Usable Antibiotic
While Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 after noticing that mould from the Penicillium genus killed surrounding bacteria, it was a team at Oxford that turned it into a life-saving drug. Australian pathologist Howard Florey—whose father was English—led the project alongside Jewish-German biochemist Ernst Chain, and English biochemists Norman Heatley and Edward Abraham. In the early 1940s, Heatley developed a back-extraction technique to purify penicillin in bulk, and Abraham introduced alumina column chromatography to remove impurities ahead of clinical trials. Sir Henry Harris, a professor of medicine at Oxford, later said, “Without Heatley, no penicillin,” crediting his method for isolating and purifying the drug as the tipping point that made penicillin the life-saving medicine we know today. English chemist Dorothy Hodgkin later revealed the drug’s molecular structure using X-ray crystallography in 1945, helping scientists understand how penicillin worked and paving the way for modern antibiotics.
11. First Modern and Functional Seed Drill
In 1701, Jethro Tull invented the first modern seed drill, a hand-pushed machine that used a rotating seed box and a coulter to create furrows, drop seeds evenly, and cover them with soil. This innovation replaced traditional hand scattering, improving seed precision and germination. Tull later adapted the design for horse-drawn use, allowing multi-row planting and increasing efficiency. He also introduced horse-hoeing to cultivate the soil between rows, control weeds, and enhance soil health. In 1731, he published Horse-Hoeing Husbandry, promoting a scientific approach to farming and its global influence.
12. First to Prove the Existence of the Ionosphere’s ‘F-region’
Edward Appleton confirmed the existence of the ionosphere’s F-region in 1925, a discovery that led to the Appleton layer being named after him. This layer reflects shortwave radio signals, enabling long-distance radio communication worldwide. Appleton won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1947 for this work and was knighted in 1941. During WWII, he contributed to radar and atomic bomb research as secretary of the government’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
13. First Practical Steam Engine and Prototype for Watt’s Future Steam Engines
Thomas Newcomen, in 1712, invented the Atmospheric Steam Engine, the first practical machine for pumping water from deep mines. His prototype laid the foundation for James Watt’s later improvements, which were financed by the English industrialist and entrepreneur Matthew Boulton, who ran his own Soho Manufactory near Birmingham, a large-scale workshop producing metal goods and precision components. Watt’s innovations were made possible by the English ironmaster and engineer John Wilkinson, whose precision boring tools allowed for tightly sealed cylinders, reducing steam leakage and facilitating the development of the separate condenser, which dramatically improved engine efficiency. Despite Watt’s more efficient design, Newcomen engines remained widely used due to their lower cost and simplicity. As noted by the SciHi Blog, “Despite Watt’s improvements, common engines (as they were then known) remained in use for a considerable time, and many more Newcomen engines than Watt engines were built even during the period of Watt’s patent, as they were cheaper and less complicated. Of over 2,200 engines built in the 18th century, only about 450 were Watt engines.”
14. First Conceptual Forerunner of the Typewriter
In 1714, Henry Mill received Patent No. 395 from Queen Anne of England 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.” Though no prototype survives, this patent marks one of the earliest conceptual forerunners of the modern typewriter.
15. First Artificial Plant Hybrid
In 1716–1717, botanist Thomas Fairchild successfully performed one of the earliest artificial plant hybridizations at his Hoxton nursery in London. He cross-pollinated a carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) with a Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), producing the hybrid known as “Fairchild’s Mule.” This experiment provided important evidence for plant sexual reproduction and challenged prevailing ideas about the immutability of species. Fairchild’s work laid essential groundwork for selective breeding and the development of modern horticulture.
16. First Practical Fire Engine
In 1721 and 1725, Richard Newsham patented practical fire engine designs described as “a new water engine for the quenching and extinguishing of fires.” His hand-pumped, four-wheeled engines, operated by men using levers, could deliver a powerful, continuous stream of water. Some of the larger models held around 160–170 gallons and were capable of projecting water significant distances. Newsham’s innovations were highly effective and remained among the leading fire-fighting technologies in Britain and abroad until the 1770s.
17. First Founder of the Royal College of Nursing
Sarah Swift established the College of Nursing in 1916, which later became the Royal College of Nursing 23 years afterward. Born in Kirton Skeldyke in 1854, Swift returned from retirement during World War I to serve as matron-in-chief of the Nursing Division of the Joint War Committee. For her wartime leadership, she was awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 1919. Today, the Royal College of Nursing remains the world’s largest nursing union and professional body, securing her enduring legacy.
18. First Animal-to-Animal Blood Transfusion
In 1665, Physician Richard Lower performed the first successful blood transfusion between two dogs at the Royal Society in London. By carefully transferring blood from a healthy donor dog to a recipient, he was able to keep the recipient alive, demonstrating for the first time that blood could be moved from one animal to another safely. Lower’s experiments also helped lay the groundwork for the understanding of circulation and cardiac physiology, building on the work of fellow English physician William Harvey. Although his work at the time was limited to animals, it represented a major milestone in medical science, influencing later attempts at human blood transfusion in the 17th century. Lower’s careful methodology, observation, and documentation earned him recognition as a pioneer in transfusion medicine.
19. First Organized Police Force
Henry Fielding, chief magistrate at the Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in London, became chief magistrate in 1748 and established the Bow Street Runners in 1749, London’s first organized crime-fighting group. This paid team of constables was tasked with catching criminals, investigating crimes, and patrolling the streets to prevent offenses. Fielding professionalized law enforcement by training and paying his officers, and the Runners shared criminal intelligence through publications such as The Public Hue and Cry, helping other officials across the country. Fielding’s half-brother, John Fielding, later expanded the model, and the Runners’ success laid the foundation for Robert Peel’s Metropolitan Police in 1829, influencing modern professional police forces worldwide.
20. First to Combine Spatial Mapping and Statistical Analysis
John Snow was a physician and a pioneering figure in both anaesthesia and epidemiology. Born in my city of York in 1813 and raised in the historic Micklegate area, he later moved to London, where he conducted most of his medical work. As anaesthetist to Queen Victoria, he administered chloroform during the births of her eighth and ninth children in 1853 and 1857, helping to popularize its use. In 1854, during a deadly cholera outbreak in Soho, Snow traced the source of infection to a contaminated public water pump on Broad Street (now Broadwick Street). By mapping cholera cases and demonstrating their concentration around the pump, he persuaded local authorities to remove its handle, effectively preventing further use. This intervention led to a rapid decline of cholera cases in that specific neighborhood, although the disease continued to affect other areas. Snow’s scientific method and localized success marked a pivotal moment in public health and laid the foundation for modern epidemiology.
21. First Practical Marine Chronometer
In 1759, John Harrison completed his H4 “sea watch,” the first practical marine chronometer capable of determining longitude at sea with unprecedented precision. By accurately keeping time against Greenwich Mean Time, it allowed sailors to calculate their east–west position, greatly improving safety and efficiency in long-distance navigation. Harrison’s groundbreaking work was recognized centuries later with a stone dedication at Westminster Abbey in 2006. Earlier in his career, he also invented the grasshopper escapement and the gridiron pendulum for land-based clocks, innovations that improved accuracy and influenced his later marine timepieces.
22. First Systematized Animal Breeding
In 1760, farmer Robert Bakewell pioneered the first systematized approach to animal breeding at his Dishley Grange farm, Leicestershire. He applied scientific methods such as “in-and-in” breeding—mating closely related animals to fix desirable traits—and tightly controlled matings to replace random breeding practices. Focused on improving meat yields, Bakewell developed influential breeds like the New Leicester sheep and Dishley Longhorn cattle. His innovations revolutionized livestock farming and laid the groundwork for modern breeding, later influencing thinkers such as Charles Darwin.
23. First Modern Mousetrap
James Henry Atkinson invented the “Little Nipper” mousetrap, patented in the mid-1890s. Featuring a simple, spring-loaded bar on a small wooden base with a treadle trigger, the design became the classic image most people associate with a mousetrap today. While similar ideas had been patented earlier, Atkinson’s version was especially successful. His trap was praised for its simplicity, reliability, and affordability, marking the beginning of the modern mousetrap. The "Little Nipper" played a significant role in shaping household pest control through the 20th century and remained in production for many years. Its influence is still seen in modern rodent traps today.
24. First Scientific Documentation and Demonstration of Willow Bark's Effects
Edward Stone, a clergyman, discovered in 1763 the fever-reducing effects of powdered white willow bark. Over five years, he tested it on himself and about 50 parishioners, carefully observing its medicinal properties. Although he was unaware of salicylic acid—the active compound—his work became the first scientific documentation of the bark’s effects. Stone’s experiments eventually laid the foundation for modern aspirin and highlight the contributions of amateur scientists in 18th-century medicine. He exemplifies the many amateur natural philosophers who made significant contributions to science during this period.
25. First Professional Road Builder of the Industrial Revolution
In 1765, John Metcalf—blinded by smallpox at age six and known as “Blind Jack”—became one of the first professional road builders of the Industrial Revolution. Between 1765 and 1792, he constructed around 180 miles of turnpike roads across Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Cheshire. Metcalf pioneered convex, well-drained road surfaces and devised techniques for building over bogs using rafts of gorse and heather. His legacy is honored with a statue in his hometown of Knaresborough.
26. First Carbonated Water (Soda Water) and Independent Discoverer of Oxygen
Joseph Priestley, an 18th-century chemist, is credited with the discovery of carbonated water in 1767. He created it by suspending a bowl of water above fermenting beer, allowing the water to absorb the carbon dioxide gas produced during fermentation. He published his method in 1772, which contributed to the later development of the soft drink industry. In 1774, Priestley also independently isolated oxygen by heating mercuric oxide, though he referred to the gas as “dephlogisticated air” as he adhered to the outdated phlogiston theory of combustion. It was French chemist Antoine Lavoisier who later recognized the gas as a new element, naming it oxygen in the late 18th century.
27. First Cast-Iron Bridge
Thomas Pritchard designed it, and ironmaster Abraham Darby III constructed it—the first cast-iron bridge, known simply as The Iron Bridge—in 1779. Located in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, it was the world’s first bridge made entirely of cast iron, marking a pivotal achievement of the Industrial Revolution. This innovative use of metal revolutionized bridge construction and paved the way for modern engineering.
28. First Modern Wedding Cake
In 1769, Elizabeth Raffald published one of the earliest known recipes for a cake resembling the modern wedding cake in her cookbook The Experienced English Housekeeper. Her elaborately decorated “Bride Cake” was a rich, spiced fruitcake finished with two layers of icing—an almond paste similar to marzipan topped with a hard sugar glaze akin to royal icing. This combination became the prototype for the ornate wedding cakes that grew popular throughout the 18th century and beyond. The recipe, featured on the Tasting History website, begins with the words “To make a Bride Cake.”
29. First to Adopt ‘Civil Engineer’ as a Professional Title
John Smeaton began using the term ‘civil engineer’ in the late 1760s to distinguish civilian engineers from military ones. In 1771, he founded the Society of Civil Engineers, later known as the Smeatonian Society, the earliest professional engineering group. Best known for designing the Eddystone Lighthouse in 1759, Smeaton also worked on the Forth and Clyde Canal in central Scotland (connecting the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh to the Firth of Clyde near Glasgow), Ramsgate Harbour in Kent, England, and Coldstream Bridge over the River Tweed, linking Coldstream in Scotland to Northumberland in England. His innovations helped establish civil engineering as a recognized and respected discipline.
30. First Public Toilets
George Jennings introduced the first modern public toilets at the Great Exhibition’s Crystal Palace in London in 1851. Known as “Monkey Closets,” these facilities were revolutionary for their time, offering clean, sanitary, pay-per-use conveniences to the public—charging a penny for each use. This led to the famous English euphemism “to spend a penny,” meaning to use the toilet. His innovation raised awareness of public hygiene and sanitation, leading to widespread adoption of public toilets across Britain and eventually around the world.
31. First Precision Boring Machine and First Machine Tool of the Industrial Revolution
In 1774, John Wilkinson invented the horizontal boring machine, which could drill perfectly round holes with unmatched precision. This innovation was critical for creating tightly sealed cylinders for steam engines, allowing James Watt’s engines to operate more efficiently by minimizing steam leakage. Wilkinson’s machine also enabled the production of the separate condenser, a key improvement in Watt’s design. By facilitating mass production of high-quality engine parts, Wilkinson’s boring machine marked the dawn of modern machine tools and played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution.
32. First Computerized Tomography [CT] Imaging
Sir Godfrey Hounsfield was an English electrical engineer who invented the first commercially viable CT (Computed Tomography) scanner in the early 1970s. Working at EMI Central Research Laboratories, Hounsfield combined his background in radar and computer design to develop a device that could process multiple X-ray readings to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. His work, which was supported by a grant from the UK government and initially tested on a preserved human brain and later on a cow's brain, led to the first clinical CT scan being performed at Atkinson Morley's Hospital in London in 1971. The subsequent success of the technology revolutionized medical diagnostics, particularly for soft tissue and neurological conditions. For their independent contributions to the mathematical theory and practical application of CT scanning, Hounsfield and physicist Allan MacLeod Cormack were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1979. A modest and private man, Hounsfield's legacy is honored not only by his Nobel Prize but also by the "Hounsfield scale," a quantitative measure of radiodensity used in evaluating CT scans.
33. First Modern Toothbrush
In 1780, William Addis created the first modern toothbrush, featuring a carved bone handle and animal bristles. He founded a business to manufacture these brushes, which later became Wisdom Toothbrushes and remained in his family for generations. Addis’s innovation helped standardize dental hygiene practices, laying the foundation for the toothbrushes we use today. His company—now Addis Housewares—continues to operate, reflecting his lasting impact on oral care.
34. First Widely-Used Iron for the Industrial Revolution
In the 1780s, Henry Cort developed a more uniform and stronger wrought iron by patenting two key processes—rolling (1783) and puddling (1784)—which improved the quality and production of wrought iron in England. His methods, involving grooved rollers and refining in reverberatory furnaces, were adopted across Europe and the United States. It became the standard iron for use in the Industrial Revolution, railways, and the navy. The Royal Navy soon required iron that met Cort’s standards for anchors, chains, and tackle due to its superior quality. Cort’s innovations helped England become the founder of modern iron production.
35. First Transparent Soap
In 1807, Andrew Pears created the first transparent soap, Pears Soap, using a distinctive chemical process that removed impurities and produced a clear, gentle product—described at the time as a “curious chemical process by which soap is separated from all the impure and noxious substances.” The brand later gained global recognition under the direction of Pears’s grandson, Thomas J. Barratt, whose innovative promotional campaigns earned him the title of the “Father of Modern Advertising.”
36. First Sewing Machine
Thomas Saint patented a sewing machine in 1790 designed for leather and canvas, featuring a vertical needle, feed mechanism, and a looper to form a chain stitch. Although no working model is known, a functional replica built in 1874 proved the design was feasible. Saint’s machine contained many elements foundational to later sewing machines.
37. First Factory System in America
Samuel Slater, an English-born industrialist, played a pivotal role in the early American textile industry by bringing detailed knowledge of Richard Arkwright’s spinning frame technology to the United States. Although he didn’t bring any physical machinery with him, Slater had memorized the design and operation of the water frame while working in one of Arkwright’s mills in England. In 1790, Slater used this knowledge to build the first successful textile mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, adapting the technology to local resources and industrial practices. Known as the “Father of the American Factory System,” Slater’s ability to replicate the water frame design without blueprints or machinery helped launch the U.S. textile industry and sparked early industrialization in the 19th-century United States.
38. First Gas Turbine
John Barber, a coal viewer and inventor, patented the first gas turbine in 1791 (UK Patent No. 1833). His design included a gas compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine—key features of modern gas turbines—though it couldn’t be built with the technology of his time. While never commercialized, Barber’s invention was the first of its kind. In 1939, when the first constant-pressure gas turbine was launched in Switzerland, his work was acknowledged by Brown, Boveri & Cie. Barber remains recognized as the first to patent a gas turbine.
39. First Demonstration of the Principle Behind the Electric Motor
Michael Faraday demonstrated the principle behind the electric motor in 1821, building on Hans Christian Ørsted’s 1820 discovery that an electric current creates a magnetic field. Faraday’s “electromagnetic rotations” experiment involved attaching a wire to a battery and submerging it in a pool of mercury, with a magnet positioned in the center. When current flowed, the wire continuously rotated around the magnet, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. This device was the first electric motor and demonstrated the fundamental principle behind all later motors, showing how electricity could be converted into motion.
40. First Electric Generator
Michael Faraday discovered the principle of electromagnetic induction in 1831, which states that moving a conductor through a magnetic field generates an electric current. Using this principle, he created the first electric generator, or “Faraday disk,” consisting of a copper disc rotated between the poles of a horseshoe magnet. By connecting electrical contacts to the disc’s center and rim, he was able to draw off a continuous direct current. Though inefficient, this first electric generator proved that mechanical energy could be converted into electrical power and laid the foundation for modern generators that power homes and cities.
41. First Modern Cement
Joseph Aspdin patented Portland cement in 1824, naming it after the Portland stone of Dorset, England. His process involved heating a mixture of limestone and clay and grinding the resulting material into a powder that hardened with water; however, it produced only a modest hydraulic lime because it lacked true high-temperature clinker. In the early 1840s, his son William Aspdin advanced the method by firing the mixture at much higher temperatures, creating genuine clinker and yielding a far stronger, more durable cement. Isaac Johnson, an English cement manufacturer, later studied these developments and focused on improving the process further. Isaac Johnson scientifically perfected the high-temperature, clinker-based method and created the first truly modern Portland cement as we understand it today.
42. First Stored-Program Computer
Tom Kilburn, Freddie Williams, and Geoff Tootill developed the SSEM (Small-Scale Experimental Machine), also known as the Manchester Baby, at the University of Manchester in 1948. It was the world’s first computer to electronically store and run a program. This breakthrough led to the Manchester Mark 1, which was later commercialised by Ferranti Ltd as the Ferranti Mark 1—the world’s first commercially available general-purpose computer, released in 1951. “The Baby was the first computer to have all the components essential to a modern computer. Its success led directly to the development of the Manchester Mark 1 and subsequently the Ferranti Mark 1, the world’s first commercially available general-purpose computer.” — University of Manchester: The Birthplace of the Modern Computer
43. First Practical Gas Stove
In 1826, gas engineer James Sharp of Northampton created and patented one of the first practical gas stoves for cooking. Supported by the firm Smith & Philips, Sharp began commercial production by the mid-1830s. His stove was showcased at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, but widespread adoption in England didn’t occur until the 1880s, when the development of a reliable piped-gas network made gas more affordable and accessible. By the early 20th century, gas stoves had become common in households across both Europe and the United States, revolutionizing domestic cooking.
44. First Convective Heating System
Thomas Fowler created the thermosiphon, the first convective heating system, and received British Patent No. 5711 in 1828. His system circulated water in a closed loop using natural convection: heated water rose to radiators, cooled, and sank back to the heat source, repeating the cycle. An 1829 installation at Bicton, part of the Rolle Estate, was highly praised in Gardener’s Magazine. Despite patent protection, Fowler lacked the funds to enforce it, and many manufacturers copied his design with minor changes. He was also a polymath, building a ternary-based mechanical calculating machine in 1840. His calculating machine was displayed at King’s College London and later in the Science Museum.
45. First Modern Police Force
As Home Secretary, politician Robert Peel founded the London Metropolitan Police in 1829, creating the first modern, professional police force. He introduced the “Peelian Principles”, emphasizing policing by consent, accountability, and crime prevention, and defining officers as paid members of the public tasked with enforcing laws that citizens were expected to uphold. Peel’s model, which focused on a professional, community-oriented force rather than state control, contrasted with continental law enforcement and became a blueprint for police forces in the United States and other industrialized nations. A Lancashire native and son of a wealthy textile manufacturer, Peel helped transform policing into a structured, respected institution.
46. First Stereoscope
Charles Wheatstone invented the stereoscope in the 1830s, coining the term and creating the illusion of 3D from flat images. This innovation laid the groundwork for virtual reality and predated photography. Wheatstone was also the great-great-grandfather of Brian May, Queen guitarist and astrophysicist, who in 2016 gave a Science Museum lecture titled Charles Wheatstone: The Father of 3D and Virtual Reality Technology.
47. First Modern Romantic Comedy Icon
Helen Fielding created the fictional character Bridget Jones in 1995 through a series of newspaper columns that humorously chronicled the life of a single woman navigating work, love, and self-improvement in London. The character’s relatable, self-deprecating voice resonated with readers, inspiring bestselling novels and hit film adaptations. Bridget Jones helped define modern romantic comedy, introducing a diary-style narrative and awkward humor that became genre staples. Her enduring popularity influenced fashion, language, and international adaptations, leaving a lasting mark on popular culture and paving the way for more contemporary female-led rom-com stories.
48. First Practical Lawnmower
Edwin Budding patented the first practical lawnmower on 25 October 1830, describing it as a machine for “cropping or shearing the vegetable surfaces of lawns, grass-plats, and pleasure grounds.” Budding noted that country gentlemen might find it “an amusing, useful, and healthy exercise.” Early examples of Budding’s mowers are preserved in Stroud Museum, Milton Keynes Museum, and the London Science Museum.
49. First Major Irrigation & Navigation Canals in India
Arthur Cotton, an English army officer and irrigation engineer, began pioneering irrigation work in South India in 1828. In 1836, he oversaw the construction of a dam on the Kollidam River, and in 1844, he submitted a plan for the Godavari River irrigation project. The Godavari Anicut (dam) was completed between 1847 and 1852, followed by the Krishna River aqueduct from 1851 to 1855. By 1858, Cotton proposed an ambitious plan to connect India’s major rivers through canals, establishing an Indian school of hydraulic engineering. He is commemorated with over 3,000 statues across Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the Godavari districts. "He is the only Englishman to have 3,000 statues in the two Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh," according to an article from HansIndia news service.
50. First Corrugated Iron
Henry Palmer invented corrugated iron in 1829, 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.
Joseph Hansom invented the Hansom cab in 1834—a lighter, faster, and safer two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage. By positioning the driver behind the passengers, the design improved balance, visibility, and passenger privacy. Its larger wheels provided a smoother ride over uneven city streets and enhanced stability, while its low center of gravity made it steadier and cheaper to operate with a single horse. The Hansom cab quickly became a widely used form of urban transport across Europe, North America, and parts of the British Empire. Hansom also founded The Builder magazine in 1843, a long-running architecture publication.
52. First Demonstration of Electrostatic Shielding
Michael Faraday demonstrated electrostatic shielding in 1836, showing that electric charge remains on the outer surface of a conductor and does not affect its interior. Using what became known as the Faraday Cage, he introduced a concept essential today for shielding electronics from electromagnetic interference (EMI), protecting vehicles and aircraft from lightning strikes, and safely containing microwaves inside ovens. Faraday cages also protect sensitive scientific instruments and medical equipment from electrical noise, secure data centers and communication rooms against signal leaks and hacking, and safeguard military devices from electromagnetic pulses (EMP).
53. First Practical Adjustable Spanners
In the 1840s, English engineers Richard Clyburn and Edwin Beard Budding developed screw-adjustable spanners, replacing earlier wedge-adjusted designs and making the tool far more practical for everyday use. Clyburn’s 1843 worm-and-rack system provided the core mechanism, while Budding, at the Phoenix Ironworks in Thrupp, introduced practical improvements such as a quick-adjust screw system for faster, more secure changes. Their combined contributions shaped the modern adjustable spanner, a legacy still reflected in Spanish, where it is called “llave inglesa” — literally, “English key.”
54. First Modern Grandstand
Designed at York’s Knavesmire Racecourse by architect John Carr in the mid-1750s, the York Grandstand is widely regarded as one of the earliest permanent, purpose-built grandstands for horse racing. In Racecourse Architecture, Paul Roberts and Isabelle Taylor wrote of Carr’s design: “This was not merely York’s first grandstand, nor was it only the first grandstand of any Thoroughbred racecourse, but – in the modern sense of the building.” Although other early stands may have existed, Carr’s became an influential prototype for the modern racecourse grandstand. He also provided the design for the stand at Kelso, considered one of the finest surviving early examples in Scotland, and his other notable works include the Hospital de Santo António in Porto, Portugal, Harewood House in West Yorkshire, and Buxton Crescent in Derbyshire, the latter reflecting the grand Georgian architectural ambitions seen in Bath’s Royal Crescent.
55. First Superphosphate Inventor and Agricultural Experiment Station Founder
In 1842, Sir John Bennet Lawes patented the first superphosphate fertilizer by treating mineral phosphates with sulfuric acid, revolutionizing agriculture. After inheriting the Rothamsted estate in 1834, he began conducting crop and manure experiments that led to this breakthrough. In 1843, he founded a commercial factory and, in partnership with English chemist Joseph Henry Gilbert, established the Rothamsted Experimental Station to carry out long-term field experiments—some of which continue to this day. Their 57-year collaboration laid the foundations for modern scientific agriculture. In 1889, Lawes ensured the continuation of this research by creating the Lawes Agricultural Trust with a £100,000 endowment.
56. First Hydraulic Press
Joseph Bramah invented the hydraulic press in 1795, using fluid pressure to crush, straighten, and mould materials with great force. This invention revolutionised manufacturing and metalworking by enabling the precise shaping and cutting of heavy materials. Known as the “Bramah Press,” it became essential across industries—from engineering to construction—and laid the foundation for modern hydraulic machinery.
57. First Modern Beer Pump
Joseph Bramah invented the first modern beer pump in 1797. While earlier versions existed—such as the late 1600s beer engine by Dutch inventor John Lofting—Bramah’s hand-pulled device featured an airtight sealing system that prevented air from entering barrels, preserving freshness and hygiene. Improving on earlier methods like gravity taps and open casks, it maintained consistent temperature and quality from cellar to bar. Bramah’s innovation revolutionized beer dispensing and became the standard in British pubs.
58. First Effective Self-Propelled Naval Torpedo
Robert Whitehead developed the first reliable self-propelled naval torpedo in 1866, powered by compressed air and fitted with depth control mechanisms. By 1880, over 1,400 had been sold worldwide to navies including Austria, France, Germany, the USA, Russia, Japan, China, and Argentina. His invention paved the way for modern submarine and torpedo warfare.
59. First Cylindrical Tunneling Shield
In 1869, James Greathead invented the cylindrical tunneling shield, first used in constructing the Tower Subway under the River Thames. This invention revolutionized tunnel construction and was crucial to creating the London Underground. As noted in Welcome to the Worldwide Greathead Family, “He was a god in his field. It's fair to say that without his invention of the tunneling shield, there would be no London Underground.”
60. First Street in the World to be Lit with Fox Water-Gas
Samson Fox’s use of Fox Water-Gas to light the streets of Harrogate in 1877 marked the first implementation of this cleaner, brighter, and more efficient lighting system. Produced by passing steam over hot coal, Fox Water-Gas offered significant improvements over traditional coal gas. Known as “the man who bottled the sun,” Fox transformed urban lighting and later oversaw the construction of Harrogate’s Royal Hall. In 2022, a play titled The Man Who Captured Sunlight was staged in his honour, with actor Gavin Collinson calling him “one of the Victorian era’s greatest enigmas.”
61. First Corrugated Boiler Flue to Improve Steamship Speed and Safety
Samson Fox invented the corrugated boiler flue at his Leeds Forge Company; stronger, more flexible, and more heat-efficient than previous designs, it revolutionised steamship engine construction and saved countless lives. In 1879, the Pretoria became the first ocean-going vessel to trial the flue, completing a record-breaking 24-day troop voyage to the Zulu War in South Africa. Known for his ingenuity and practical innovations, Fox’s corrugated flue became standard in marine engineering, cementing his reputation as a key figure in Victorian industrial advancement.
62. First Light Bulb with a Carbonized Paper Filament
Joseph Swan patented a light bulb using a carbonized paper filament enclosed in a vacuum-sealed glass bulb in 1878. This design offered a safer, more practical alternative to gas lighting and arc lamps. Swan’s former home, Underhill House in Gateshead, became the first domestic property in the world wired for electric lighting. In 2005, a blue plaque was installed there to commemorate this milestone. Notably, American inventor Thomas Edison was working on a similar invention and filed a patent in 1878 but was granted his patent a year later, in 1879.
63. First All-Ceramic, Freestanding, One-Piece Flush Toilet
Thomas Twyford introduced the Unitas, a pioneering flush toilet, in 1884. Named from the Latin for “unity” or “oneness,” it combined the bowl and trap into a single, all-ceramic, freestanding unit. Made of glazed earthenware, the Unitas featured an integrated U-bend trap—an improvement on the S-bend that blocked sewer gases and improved sanitation. This design was a major departure from earlier toilets, often hidden in wooden furniture where dirt and foul smells could accumulate. The Unitas greatly improved hygiene and made cleaning easier. By 1887, Twyford had built the first sanitaryware factory designed for this purpose in Stoke-on-Trent, shaping the future of modern bathrooms.
64. First National Bird Protection Society
In 1889, the Society for the Protection of Birds was founded by Emily Williamson and Eliza Phillips to stop the cruel feather trade. Their efforts led to the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act of 1921, which helped save many bird species from extinction. The group later became the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Today, it is one of the world’s largest conservation organizations, protecting wildlife and habitats in the UK and beyond.
65. First World Scout Movement
Robert Baden-Powell was an English military officer, author, and founder of the global Scouting movement. After a notable military career, including defending Mafeking during the Boer War, he discovered that his manual *Aids to Scouting* was popular among boys and youth groups. Inspired, he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island in 1907 to test his ideas for youth training. The following year, in 1908, he published *Scouting for Boys*, which became the foundation of the Scouting movement. In 1910, he retired from the army to focus on Scouting and, with his sister Agnes, helped establish the Girl Guides organization.
66. First Practical CCD Video Cameras
Michael Francis Tompsett is an English-born physicist, engineer, and inventor, best known for developing the first practical CCD imaging cameras and pioneering infrared and digital imaging technologies. He began his career at the English Electric Valve Company (EEV), working on compact thermal imagers, and joined Bell Labs in 1969, where he applied the CCD principle to electronic imaging, helping lay the foundation for digital cameras and scientific imagers. He later founded the software company TheraManager and has received numerous honors, including the IEEE Edison Medal and the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. His innovations have had lasting impact in fields ranging from astronomy and medicine to security and personal photography.
67. First Miniature Railways
Sir Arthur Percival Heywood, known as the “father of the minimum gauge railway,” invented the practical 15-inch gauge railway in the 1870s, building locomotives like Effie and Ella for his Duffield Bank Railway, which carried goods and passengers across his estate. Decades later, in 1927, Henry Greenly advanced miniature locomotive design with express-style engines such as Green Goddess, Northern Chief, and Doctor Syn for the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (RH&DR). Co-founded by Greenly and Captain J.E.P. Howey, the RH&DR became one of the world’s first full-scale miniature public railways, running 13.5 miles and reaching speeds up to 25 mph. Its original fleet—including Hercules, Hurricane, and Typhoon—pulled both passengers and freight, transforming miniature railways into fully operational transport systems.
68. First Jet Engine
Frank Whittle patented the first turbojet engine on 16 January 1930, developing a propulsion system that burned fuel in high-speed airflow to greatly improve aircraft speed and efficiency. His design led to the Gloster E.28/39, the first English and Allied jet aircraft, which made its historic 17-minute maiden flight from RAF Cranwell on 15 May 1941, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Gerry Sayer. This breakthrough revolutionised air travel and wartime aviation. German engineer Hans von Ohain also developed a jet engine independently; his design powered the Heinkel He 178, which made the world’s first jet-powered flight on 27 August 1939. However, von Ohain’s engine was less reliable in practical use, and Whittle’s design—patented earlier—proved more robust and influential in later developments.
69. First Design of the London Underground Map
Harry Beck designed the first modern London Underground map in 1931. It was revolutionary and became renowned for its simplicity and clarity. Beck’s non-geographical, abstract layout represented the lines and stations of the network in a straightforward, easy-to-read manner, rather than reflecting their actual locations. His innovative approach was initially rejected by London Transport but was first issued to the public in January 1933 as a pocket edition. Beck’s design set the standard for transit maps and was later adopted by transport systems around the world.
70. First to Discover the Neutron
James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932, significantly advancing the understanding of atomic structure. He contributed to the final draft of the MAUD Report in 1941, which helped convince the U.S. to accelerate atomic bomb research. Chadwick later led the British Mission to the Manhattan Project during WWII, served as the senior British scientific representative, won the 1935 Nobel Prize in Physics, and was knighted in 1945.
71. First Fixed Road Light
Percy Shaw invented the "Cat's Eye" in 1934, a reflective road stud designed to improve nighttime driving. Inspired by the reflective eyes of a cat, Shaw's invention utilized glass beads embedded in a rubber casing to reflect headlights, marking road edges and lane divisions. The device was self-cleaning, as rainwater washed the glass beads when vehicles passed over them. This innovation significantly enhanced road safety, especially during nighttime and low-visibility conditions, and it became widely adopted in the UK and around the world.
72. First to Transform World Economics
John Maynard Keynes revolutionized economic thought by advocating active government intervention to stabilize economies, stimulate demand, and mitigate the effects of recessions. In his seminal work, The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money (1936), Keynes challenged classical economic theories by asserting that economies could remain in prolonged periods of high unemployment due to insufficient aggregate demand. He proposed that during such times, governments should boost demand through public spending and investment. “Keynesian economics became the foundation for modern economic policy, particularly in shaping responses to financial crises.” — Encyclopedia of Economics.
73. First Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) Method
Alec Reeves invented Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) in 1937, a method for digitally encoding analog signals. He filed a French patent in 1938, followed by a U.S. patent in 1942. PCM works by sampling an analog signal at uniform intervals, quantizing each sample, and transmitting the resulting digital values, which greatly reduces noise over long-distance transmission. Initially ahead of its time, PCM was first applied during World War II in the SIGSALY system, enabling secure voice communications between Allied leaders. Later, with the advent of the transistor in the 1950s, PCM became commercially viable and revolutionized telephone technology, allowing high-quality, long-distance digital voice transmission and forming the foundation for modern digital telephony. “Without PCM, there would be no Internet, no digital radio or television, no digital landline or mobile telephones, no CDs, DVDs, or CD-ROMs.” — The Telegraph.
74. First to Reveal the Structure of Penicillin
Dorothy Hodgkin used X-ray crystallography to determine the molecular structure of penicillin in 1945, which was published in 1949, helping scientists understand how the drug works and paving the way for the development of modern antibiotics. She later solved the structures of vitamin B12 in 1956 and insulin in the early 1960s, earning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964. By analysing X-ray diffraction patterns from crystallised molecules, Hodgkin mapped their atomic structures in three dimensions—revolutionising structural biology and transforming medicine and drug design. Her pioneering work remains foundational to the field.
75. First Subbuteo Football Game
In 1947, Peter Adolph created the first Subbuteo football game, played with miniature figurines on a green felt pitch. Players flicked the figures to score goals, and the game quickly became popular. Adolph patented Subbuteo and later sold it to Waddingtons in 1970—the same company behind iconic games like Cluedo, invented by the English musician and inventor Anthony Pratt.
76. First Concept of a Fully Automated General-Purpose Computer
Charles Babbage designed the Analytical Engine in 1837, the first fully automated computer. It could perform all basic arithmetic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—using punched cards for instructions. The machine also featured a “store” for holding intermediate results, functioning like memory, and included a mechanism to print the output. Though never built during his lifetime, Babbage’s design marked the birth of general-purpose computing and laid the theoretical groundwork for modern computers.
77. First Miss World Beauty Pageant
The first Miss World beauty pageant was created by Eric Morley and held on July 29, 1951, at London’s Lyceum Ballroom during the Festival of Britain. Originally a bikini contest to promote swimwear, it featured 27 contestants, including 6 international entrants from Sweden, France, Germany, Holland, South Africa, and Canada. Kiki Håkansson of Sweden won, becoming the first Miss World—and remains the only winner crowned in a bikini, which caused controversy and prompted rule changes. Over time, the pageant grew into a global event, now hosting over 100 contestants annually; the most recent edition had 108 participants. The 56th Miss World Finals, held in Warsaw, Poland, in September 2006, was the first time the competition occurred in a European city outside London.
78. First Automatic Electric Kettle
William Russell and Peter Hobbs of the Russell Hobbs company introduced the K1 for the public in 1955, the world’s first automatic electric kettle featuring an innovative steam-powered automatic shut-off. This breakthrough design used steam pressure to trigger a bi-metallic strip that turned the kettle off as soon as the water boiled, making it safer and more convenient to use. The K1’s combination of functionality and style quickly made it a household favorite and a key milestone in the evolution of electric kettles.
79. First Practical Hovercraft
In 1959, Sir Christopher Cockerell launched the SR.N1, the first practical hovercraft capable of traveling over land, water, mud, and ice on a cushion of air. Inspired to reduce boat drag, he developed the concept using simple tools like tin cans and an industrial air blower. The SR.N1 famously crossed the English Channel that July, proving the viability of air-cushion vehicles. Today, hovercraft are used worldwide in military, rescue, and passenger services.
80. First Whole-Body Isotope Scanner in the UK and First Clinically Useful Full-Body MRI
John Mallard, born in Kingsthorpe, Northampton, developed the UK’s first whole-body isotope scanner in the late 1950s while working at London’s Hammersmith Hospital (NOTE: ChatGPT will return his wrong nationality even when citing Wikipedia that clearly sites he is English. Google's Gemini AI, which never used to, also states he is English...at least for now). Later, he moved to the University of Aberdeen, where he became Professor of Medical Physics and held the first Chair in Medical Physics in Scotland. At Aberdeen, Mallard played a key role in developing the medical physics department, which became one of the first in the UK to install a commercially produced gamma camera. He was also instrumental in establishing Scotland’s first PET facility in 1985. The John Mallard Scottish PET Centre, opened in 1998 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, was named in his honour. Mallard also led the creation of the world’s first clinically useful whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, performing the first full-body patient scan in 1980. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen in 2004.PET scans expose patients to a small amount of radiation but can detect tissue changes earlier than MRI, which uses no radiation and is especially effective for visualizing soft tissues such as muscles and fat.
81. First Slasher Genre to Focus on the Victim
On June 16, 1960, Psycho premiered in the US and is regarded as the first true “slasher” film, focusing on intense violence and the victim’s experience. On August 6, 1960, Peeping Tom was released in the UK, unsettling viewers by placing them in the killer’s perspective. Regarded as the first in the slasher genre, although fellow English director Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom could also make a similar claim, it was less intense, with the onus on the victim rather than 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.” Both films helped define the slasher genre.
82. First More Reliable Bimetallic Thermostat for Kettles
Dr. John Taylor revolutionized electric kettles in the late 1960s through his company, Strix, by developing a more reliable bimetallic thermostat. Unlike the earlier Russell Hobbs K1 (1955), which relied on steam pressure, Taylor’s design automatically switched off kettles at boiling point, preventing overheating and improving safety. He also introduced the 360-degree cordless connector, allowing kettles to be lifted from the base in any direction. These innovations made automatic shut-off kettles a household standard, and Taylor’s designs—protected by over 400 patents—remain widely used in kettles, hairdryers, fan heaters, and other appliances worldwide.
83. First Modern Heating and Ventilation System in Institutional Buildings
In the early 1800s, William Strutt, an engineer and architect, collaborated with fellow English engineer Charles Sylvester, a pioneer in heating and ventilation technology from Sheffield, to design the Derby Infirmary. Sylvester developed a warm-air stove in the basement that heated fresh air and distributed it throughout the building via ducts, while stale air was expelled through a central dome. Detailed in Sylvester’s 1819 book The Philosophy of Domestic Economy, this system was among the first purpose-built heating and ventilation arrangements in a hospital, significantly improving indoor air quality and patient comfort. It set an influential precedent for modern heating and ventilation in hospitals and other institutional buildings across Europe.
84. First Ibuprofen
Stewart Sanders Adams OBE, working at Boots Pure Drug Company, invented the painkiller ibuprofen in 1961 as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Now one of the world’s best-selling drugs, it appears on the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines. In 2007, Adams revealed he had first tested the drug on himself to relieve a hangover, demonstrating its unexpected versatility.
85. First Computerized Tomography (CT) Imaging
Sir Godfrey Hounsfield, an electrical engineer at EMI Central Research Laboratories, invented the first commercially viable CT (Computed Tomography) scanner in the early 1970s. Drawing on his expertise in radar and computer design, he developed a system that processed multiple X-ray readings to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the body. The first clinical CT scan was performed at Atkinson Morley’s Hospital, London, in 1971. For their independent contributions—Hounsfield’s practical development of the scanner and South African Allan MacLeod Cormack’s mathematical algorithms for image reconstruction—they received the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Hounsfield’s legacy also includes the “Hounsfield scale,” which quantifies radiodensity in CT imaging.
86. First Modern Bicycle
James Starley, known as the "Father of the British Cycle Industry," was a pioneering inventor whose contributions laid the foundation for modern bicycles and vehicle mechanics. He developed the first differential gear—which later influenced car gear manufacturing—perfected the chain-driven bicycle, and patented the tangent wheel, featuring spokes that crossed like shoelaces instead of the radial-spoked style common at the time. Starley also co-founded the Coventry Sewing Machine Company with English sewing machine manufacturer Josiah Turner, creating several sewing machine patents that remain in use today. Cycling historian Andrew Ritchie described him as "probably the most energetic and inventive genius in the history of bicycle technology." Coventry became the center of the British bicycle industry, commemorating Starley with a statue on Greyfriars Green in 1884. His nephew, John Kemp Starley, completed the evolution of the modern bicycle with the Rover Safety Bicycle in 1885, introducing equal-sized 26-inch wheels, a diamond-shaped frame, and a chain-driven rear wheel. According to cycling magazines, the Rover "set the pattern for the world," achieving worldwide commercial success and establishing the blueprint for modern bicycles.
87. First Groundbreaking Diesel Train
Designed by Kenneth Grange, the InterCity 125 was Britain’s first high-speed diesel passenger train. It had two power cars built in 1972 at Crewe Works, with Mark 3 coaches from Derby Litchurch Lane Works. The "125" refers to its operational speed of 125 mph, though the prototype reached 143 mph. Chief Engineer Terry Miller helped create its robust fiberglass design, replacing typical sheet metal. Its distinct yellow nose was designed to warn track workers of its approach, while panelled windows of armored glass protected the driver from hazards at high speeds. The aerodynamic nose—and the absence of buffers—allowed air to flow smoothly around the cab. With a power car at each end, no separate locomotive was needed. Inside, durable materials, molded armrests, central-locking doors, double glazing, noise insulation, vibration-free body panels, and air-sprung bogies ensured comfort, safety, and protection. Passengers, like my father from York to London, experienced a smooth, effortless ride reminiscent of Rolls-Royce quality.
88. First Agriculture with Steam Engines
In the 1850s, John Fowler, a pioneering civil engineer, applied steam power to ploughing and drainage — developing steam‑hauled ploughs that greatly reduced labour cost and enabled cultivation of previously unusable land. In 1858 his design won the Royal Agricultural Society’s £500 prize for an efficient steam cultivator. Over his life he took out more than 30 patents for ploughing, drainage, seed‑drills and traction engines. He founded John Fowler & Co. in Leeds, a company whose steam ploughs, traction engines, and related machinery were exported worldwide and helped industrialise agriculture long after his death.
89. First to Invent and Design the ARM Processor
Sophie Wilson designed the instruction set architecture for the first ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) processor in 1983, focusing on efficient processing and low power consumption. Working alongside fellow English engineer Steve Furber, who handled the microarchitecture and chip design, she helped produce the first working ARM chip—ARM1—by April 1985. Wilson’s groundbreaking design laid the foundation for a revolutionary processor architecture now used in billions of devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, game consoles, and digital televisions.
90. First DNA Profiling
Alec Jeffreys developed DNA profiling in 1984, discovering how to identify individuals through variations in their DNA. His breakthrough led to the implementation of DNA profiling and DNA databases by police forces worldwide. Jeffreys is often called “Mr DNA Fingerprinting” or “The Father of Genetic Fingerprinting,” titles he embraces with pride, due to the profound impact of his work. He states, “It, more than anything, has put DNA right up into the public eye. It brought it into everybody’s living room.” — University of Leicester.
91. First Web Server and Browser
Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989, creating the first web server and browser. He also developed foundational web technologies including the Uniform Resource Locator (URL), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and proposed the name World Wide Web. This innovation revolutionized global communication, enabling instantaneous access to information and laying the foundation for the modern internet.
92. First Wind-Up Radio
Trevor Baylis invented the first commercially successful wind-up radio in 1991, a battery-free device powered entirely by a hand-cranked mechanism. Originally developed to help spread AIDS awareness in Africa through radio broadcasts, the invention proved especially valuable in regions with limited or unreliable access to electricity. His prototype, known as the Clockwork Radio, led to a partnership with the South African company Freeplay Energy, which acquired the patent and began manufacturing the device in 1996. Marketed as the BayGen Freeplay Radio, it provided vital access to news, music, and information for rural communities, refugees, and disaster-affected areas.
93. First Aerodynamic Olympic Racing Bicycle
Mike Burrows, in the late 1980s, focused on reducing drag through innovative frame shapes and rider positions. After the UCI lifted its ban on monocoque frames in 1992, Burrows teamed up with Lotus Engineering to create the carbon-fiber Lotus Type 108, introduced the same year. It was the most aerodynamically efficient racing bike of its time. Cyclist Chris Boardman rode it to Olympic gold and a world record in the 4,000-meter individual pursuit at the 1992 Barcelona Games. The UCI banned bikes like the Lotus Type 108 in 1996, cementing its place as a milestone in cycling innovation.
94. First Text Message (SMS)
Neil Papworth, a computer engineer, sent the world’s first text message (SMS) in 1992. While working as a software developer for Vodafone, he sent the message “Merry Christmas” from a computer to a mobile phone on December 3, 1992. It was received by Vodafone executive Richard Jarvis. This moment marked the beginning of mobile text communication, which would soon become a global norm in digital interaction.
95. First to Center the Lives of Sex Workers in a Prime-Time Drama
Kay Mellor created Band of Gold in 1995, a groundbreaking series that focused on the real lives of women in the sex industry, rejecting sensationalised stereotypes in favour of complex, authentic storytelling. Mellor, a prolific writer, actress, producer, and director, also created hit shows like Fat Friends and The Syndicate, and co-created CITV’s Children’s Ward. Her work consistently highlighted working-class voices and social issues, making her a trailblazer in British television drama.
96. First Major Iconic Female Game Heroine
Toby Gard created Lara Croft for Tomb Raider in 1996, and she quickly became the first widely recognized and influential female protagonist in video games. As the lead character of a major 3D action-adventure franchise, she helped shape gaming culture worldwide, influenced blockbuster films, and redefined the portrayal of women in games. Gard, often referring to himself as “Lara Croft’s Daddy” on Twitter (now X), reflected on her creation in the 1996 feature Lara’s Lost Father – The Toby Gard Interview.
97. First Mammal Cloned from an Adult Cell
Sir Ian Wilmut and Keith Campbell, English scientists at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, cloned Dolly the Sheep in 1996. She was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell using somatic cell nuclear transfer. The breakthrough proved that specialized cells could be reprogrammed, marking a major milestone in genetics and biotechnology.
98. First Ball-Tracking Technology for Sports Decision Review
On May 21, 2001, Hawk-Eye, developed by Dr. Paul Hawkins at Roke Manor Research, made its debut in cricket broadcasting during the England vs. Pakistan Test at Lord’s. Initially a TV analysis tool, it later became central to official decision review systems. Using multiple high-speed cameras to create a 3D ball trajectory, Hawk-Eye is now employed in sports such as tennis, cricket, and football through goal-line technology and VAR support. Dr. Hawkins was awarded an OBE in 2014. Though often misattributed to Andre Agassi, the quote calling Hawk-Eye “the biggest thing to happen in tennis for 40 years” highlights its impact on the sport.
99. First Practical Cavity Magnetron
John Randall and Harry Boot developed the first practical cavity magnetron in 1940, enabling compact and highly accurate radar systems during World War II. Their breakthroughs in resonant-cavity design and water cooling greatly increased output and made mass production feasible, allowing the device to generate high-frequency, centimetric-wavelength signals that transformed radar’s precision and reduced its size for aircraft and naval use. The cavity magnetron gave the Allies a critical wartime advantage and later laid the foundation for aviation radar, weather tracking, and ultimately the microwave oven. As David Zimmerman, professor of military history at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, explains, the magnetron “remains the essential radio tube for shortwave radio signals of all types… it not only changed the course of the war by allowing us to develop airborne radar systems; it remains the key piece of technology that lies at the heart of your microwave oven today. The cavity magnetron's invention changed the world.”
100. First to Put a Queer Female Character at the Center of a Period Drama
Sally Wainwright created Gentleman Jack (2019), based on the diaries of Anne Lister. The series broke new ground in historical television by focusing on a queer female lead. Wainwright, also known for Happy Valley and Renegade Nell—about a female outlaw in 1705—has won numerous awards, produced several notable shows, and wrote 57 episodes of the iconic soap opera Coronation Street.