A Wee Look Around Scotland: 3: Scots Inventions & Innovations #WorldChallenge Scotland

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Caption: A banner with the series title and post title, together with an outline map of Scotland marked with a map pin showing the Scottish flag and an inset picture of John Logie Baird
Caption: A banner with the series title and post title, together with an outline map of Scotland marked with a map pin showing the Scottish flag and an inset picture of John Logie Baird1280×720 1.46 MB

Drive anywhere in the world on surfaced roads, make a phone call, watch tv and you’re more than probably depending on something invented by a person from Scotland - this post details just a few of the major inventions by Scots.

John Louden McAdam (1756 – 1836) who invented tarmacadam (or tarmac as it is now known). In many places the world over, this is used to surface roads to provide a more durable surface and a smoother journey.
John Louden McAdam (1756 – 1836) who invented tarmacadam (or tarmac as it is now known). In many places the world over, this is used to surface roads to provide a more durable surface and a smoother journey.1280×720 916 KB

James Watt (1736-1819) invented the steam engine. He was inspired by watching the steam from a boiling kettle have enough power to lift the lid. Steam engines revolutionised the world, bringing mass industry and mass movement.
James Watt (1736-1819) invented the steam engine. He was inspired by watching the steam from a boiling kettle have enough power to lift the lid. Steam engines revolutionised the world, bringing mass industry and mass movement.1280×720 1.05 MB

John Boyd Dunlop (1840 – 1921) invented the pneumatic tyre. He was actually a veterinary, and it's said he invented the tyre to give his daughters a smoother ride on their bikes. Now nearly all road transport rides on air - his invention!
John Boyd Dunlop (1840 – 1921) invented the pneumatic tyre. He was actually a veterinary, and it's said he invented the tyre to give his daughters a smoother ride on their bikes. Now nearly all road transport rides on air - his invention!1280×720 827 KB

Alexander Graham Bell (1847 – 1922) invented the first serviceable telephone and revolutionised the world of communications.
Alexander Graham Bell (1847 – 1922) invented the first serviceable telephone and revolutionised the world of communications.1280×720 428 KB

Watch the news or any drama on tv, and you are watching an invention by John Logie Baird (1888-1946). The dummy he used to test the system(see bottom picture) was known as Stookie Bill. He couldn't use a real human because the lights were far too hot.
Watch the news or any drama on tv, and you are watching an invention by John Logie Baird (1888-1946). The dummy he used to test the system(see bottom picture) was known as Stookie Bill. He couldn't use a real human because the lights were far too hot.1280×720 377 KB

You are most probably health and disease free because you have taken penicillin at some time, discovered by Alexander Fleming (1881 – 1955),
You are most probably health and disease free because you have taken penicillin at some time, discovered by Alexander Fleming (1881 – 1955),1280×720 740 KB

And cash machines/ATMs (in the UK sometimes known as cash machines or "holes in the wall" ) have changed the way we access or hard earned money world wide. John Shepherd-Barron (1922-2010) invented the first cash machine, and with it the PIN (personal identification number) in 1967.
And cash machines/ATMs (in the UK sometimes known as cash machines or "holes in the wall" ) have changed the way we access or hard earned money world wide. John Shepherd-Barron (1922-2010) invented the first cash machine, and with it the PIN (personal identification number) in 1967.1280×720 862 KB

I did look to see if there were any Scots women inventors of world changing things but they are remarkably few and far between - hopefully modern Scotland with its equal opportunities will continue to change the world with inventions and innovations by both Scotsmen and Scotswomen.

Here are just a few more changes to the world that Scotspeople have brought about:

Hypodermic syringe: Alexander Wood (1817–1884)

The vacuum flask: James Dewar (1847 - 1932)

The waterproof macintosh: Charles Macintosh (1766-1843)

The friction matchstick: Isaac Holden (1807-1897)

Bovril: John Lawson Johnston (in 1874)

World’s first cloned mammal (Dolly the Sheep): The Roslin Institute (in 1996)

The world’s first post office: Sanquhar (1712)

The world's oldest post office (and still open to serve the village) in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire. It was opened in 1712. Wikimedia Commons/Rosser/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
The world's oldest post office (and still open to serve the village) in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire. It was opened in 1712. Wikimedia Commons/Rosser/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0640×653 112 KB

Other articles in this series

A Wee Look Around Scotland: History

A Wee Look Around Scotland: Geography

A Wee Look Around Scotland: Food and Culture

#WorldChallenge Scotland

@Denise_Barlock @jayasimha78

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Another nice post @PeteMHW ! The first time I’m reading about the tarmac and ATM! :open_mouth: The Scots certainly accomplished a lot during the industrial revolution! For those interested, you can also check out this list from Wikipedia for more amazing Scottish achievements!

And then, out of curiosity, I also did a search for famous Scottish people! I’m listing a few that I’m familiar with, and with a focus on TV/movies/sports/entertainment:

Sean Connery - 007! He’s one of those actors that can’t really hide his Scottish accent! :sweat_smile:

Tilda Swinton - OMG! I didn’t realise this!! She’s ace!

Ewan McGregor - Trainspotting, Star Wars etc.

James McAvoy - Famous for portraying Professor Charles X Xavier. He was amazing in Split!!

Andy Murray - Tennis anyone?

Alex Ferguson - There’s this football team called Manchester United. You may have heard of them. :sweat_smile:

Chris Hoy - Scotland’s most successful Olympian (cycling)

J.K. Rowling - She wrote that famous series of books about a boy who lived in a cupboard under the stair… yeah, that one Oops!! She’s English!

Billy Connolly - Comedian that quickly turns the air blue!

Tony Blair - Holy smokes!! I didn’t know this too. Former British Prime Minister!

Annie Lennox - Amazing singer from the 70s/80s/90s(?)

Robert Burns - He needs a mention otherwise the Scottish folks will be up in arms! :laughing: He’s the National Poet of Scotland and gave the world the famous Auld Lang Syne

And I’ll end this comment with another famous Scottish person! Let’s see if you know who she is… :wink: #neverjudgeabookbyitscover

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Oh, this is an intersting post @PeteMHW .

I wasn’t aware about this ingunity of scottish people!

In fact it suprise me, as when I would have the chance to be there not only for holiday, I would be always in the beautiful nature… But maybe in winter it is boring and so they have a lot of time to work on new things :wink:

Really interesting.

I prepare currently my holiday review including Scottland. While I only will focused on the great nature!

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So many! @PeteMHW I’ve no idea. This will be an awesome #statechallenge

Greetings.

Silvy.