List of British innovations and discoveries

The following is a list and timeline of innovations as well as inventions and discoveries that involved British people or the United Kingdom including predecessor states in the history of the formation of the United Kingdom. This list covers, but is not limited to, innovation and invention in the mechanical, electronic, and industrial fields, as well as medicine, military devices and theory, artistic and scientific discovery and innovation, and ideas in religion and ethics.

Factors that historians note spurred innovation and discovery include the 17th century scientific revolution and the 18th/19th century industrial revolution.^[1]^[2] Another possible influence is the British patent system which had medieval origins and was codified with the Patent Act of 1852.^[3]

^ Jacob, Margaret C. (1997). Scientific culture and the making of the industrial west. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 9–11. ISBN 978-0195082203. ASIN 0195082192.
^ Walker 1993, pp. 187-8.
^ Leaffer, Marshall A. (1990). "Book Review. Inventing the Industrial Revolution: The English Patent System, 1660–1800". Articles by Maurer Faculty (666); MacLeod, Christine (1988). Inventing the industrial revolution : The English patent system, 1660–1800. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521893992.

[1] Jacob, Margaret C. (1997). Scientific culture and the making of the industrial west. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 9–11. ISBN 978-0195082203. ASIN 0195082192.

[2] Walker 1993, pp. 187-8.

[3] Leaffer, Marshall A. (1990). "Book Review. Inventing the Industrial Revolution: The English Patent System, 1660–1800". Articles by Maurer Faculty (666); MacLeod, Christine (1988). Inventing the industrial revolution : The English patent system, 1660–1800. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521893992.

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