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Invention Collection

Background imageInvention Collection: Heath Robinson automated Dining Room without servants 1 of 4

Heath Robinson automated Dining Room without servants 1 of 4
Heath Robinson Does Away with Servants - Patent Applied for by " The Sketch" in the Dining-Room

Background imageInvention Collection: Pea Apparatus by William Heath Robinson

Pea Apparatus by William Heath Robinson
An interesting and elegant apparatus designed to overcome once for all the difficulties of conveying green peas to the mouth

Background imageInvention Collection: Ultra-Marine by William Heath Robinson

Ultra-Marine by William Heath Robinson
One of Margates new " Neversink" pleasure boats for keeping an even keel inthe roughest seas

Background imageInvention Collection: A Decided Catch by William Heath Robinson

A Decided Catch by William Heath Robinson
The Whitebait cycle, an ingenious contraption necessitated by the exorbitant charges for hire of boats at the seaside this season

Background imageInvention Collection: Bound to Draw by William Heath Robinson

Bound to Draw by William Heath Robinson
Another well-thought-out experiment in dentistry from Heath Robinson, the Gadget King and mastermind behind endless convoluted contraptions and silly ideas. Date: 1927

Background imageInvention Collection: Rejected by the inventions board

Rejected by the inventions board

Background imageInvention Collection: A Swimming Stroke of Genius

A Swimming Stroke of Genius
A simple device by which a cross channel swim may be rendered both easy and pleasant- not to mention luxurious

Background imageInvention Collection: Acme Moustache Guard

Acme Moustache Guard
The Acme Moustache Guard. Solid comfort while eating. No use for napkins - does not interfere with use of mouth. Made of gold or silver plate. Everyone should have one!

Background imageInvention Collection: DOLLY TUB

DOLLY TUB
A laundry worker using a dolly stock and tub to clean clothes, prior to the invention of the washing machine

Background imageInvention Collection: A cunning stroke by William Heath Robinson

A cunning stroke by William Heath Robinson
A clever but unsportsmanlike contrivance to increase buoyance and prevent fatigue among Channel swimmers

Background imageInvention Collection: The Subzeppmarinellin by Heath Robinson, WW1 cartoon

The Subzeppmarinellin by Heath Robinson, WW1 cartoon
The subzeppmarinellin for making sure of your enemy. All bases covered with this combined submarine and zeppelin from the imagination of William Heath Robinson during the First World War. Date: c.1916

Background imageInvention Collection: Rejected by the inventions board

Rejected by the inventions board
" Rejected by the inventions board

Background imageInvention Collection: Ending in Smoke by Heath Robinson

Ending in Smoke by Heath Robinson
An ingenious smoke screen spreader for preventing embarrassing situations when the bathroom lock is out of order

Background imageInvention Collection: Bridgewater Canal Map

Bridgewater Canal Map
Map showing the route of the proposed canal from Worsley to Manchester and thence to the Mersey, to be built by engineer James Brindley for the duke of Bridgewater

Background imageInvention Collection: Invention of the Cube Car

Invention of the Cube Car

Background imageInvention Collection: Victorian inventions in The Engineer

Victorian inventions in The Engineer
A page of patented engineering and industrial inventions from The Engineer magazine, 1856. Date: 1856

Background imageInvention Collection: Robidas rotating house

Robidas rotating house
Maison tournante arienee or aerial rotating house, one of Albert Robidas futuristic visions of life in the 20th century

Background imageInvention Collection: Testing a new type of steering gear / W Heath Robinson

Testing a new type of steering gear / W Heath Robinson
Illustration by William Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library

Background imageInvention Collection: Bedroom boat-race practice

Bedroom boat-race practice
An enthusiastic " Blue" leaves nothing to chance and recreates rowing conditions with the help of three tin baths, some wheels and a pair of oars in his bedroom

Background imageInvention Collection: HMS Habbakuk in section

HMS Habbakuk in section
Illustration showing a cross section of the top secret design for HMS Habbakuk a giant aircraft-carrier built of ice and wood pulp, which was proposed as a secret weapon in the Second World War

Background imageInvention Collection: Hat Wireless 1930S

Hat Wireless 1930S
A man tunes into his hat radio!

Background imageInvention Collection: Gutenbergs printing press

Gutenbergs printing press
Gutenberg inspects the first sheet of his Bible, which has just come off the press

Background imageInvention Collection: Futuristic long distance airship

Futuristic long distance airship
A futuristic long distance airship held aloft by two long balloons, flying across the sea

Background imageInvention Collection: Automaton at the Schoolboys Own Exhibition, 1929

Automaton at the Schoolboys Own Exhibition, 1929
A physiological robot at the Schoolboys Own Exhibition in London, 1929. Designed to show how organs of the body work, here three young visitors take great interest in its insides. Date: 1929

Background imageInvention Collection: Sir Francis Ronalds

Sir Francis Ronalds
Portrait of English inventor, Sir Francis Ronalds (1788-1873), inventor of the electric telegraph in 1816

Background imageInvention Collection: George Stephensons locomotive, the Rocket

George Stephensons locomotive, the Rocket, which won a prize given by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company

Background imageInvention Collection: Bailey Bridge and Rhine victory by G. H. Davis

Bailey Bridge and Rhine victory by G. H. Davis
The Bailey Bridge: the British weapon which hurdled Allied armies across the Rhine barrier during the Second World War

Background imageInvention Collection: Louis Braille - inventor of system of raised-point writing

Louis Braille - inventor of system of raised-point writing
Louis Braille (1809-1852) - French inventor of system of raised-point writing for the blind. Date: circa 1850

Background imageInvention Collection: What every golfer wants by William Heath Robinson

What every golfer wants by William Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evans Date: 1921

Background imageInvention Collection: An Attractive Idea for Gents Wear

An Attractive Idea for Gents Wear
Do you realise that the equinoctial gales will soon be blowing in upon us? If so, do not forget to buy one of the new patent adjustable, magnetic hat guards, for use with any style and size of hat

Background imageInvention Collection: Lessons by Post by William Heath Robinson

Lessons by Post by William Heath Robinson
The new Heath Robinson Swimming Post, which is acquiring such popularity at our most fashionable resorts

Background imageInvention Collection: Cold Comfort by W. Heath Robinson

Cold Comfort by W. Heath Robinson
An elegant device now in use in many seaside boarding houses to obviate the rather indelicate act of blowing on ones food to cool it

Background imageInvention Collection: The Harley-Scope Mine-Detector by William Heath Robinson

The Harley-Scope Mine-Detector by William Heath Robinson
A crackpot invention dreamed up Heath Robinson, allowing a British machine to suspend a stethoscope wearing doctor over the ground, in an attempt to locate the snug dug outs of the German enemy

Background imageInvention Collection: Johannes Gutenberg, German goldsmith and printer

Johannes Gutenberg, German goldsmith and printer
Johannes Gutenberg (Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg), German goldsmith and printer. He invented mechanical movable type and thereby began a revolution in book printing

Background imageInvention Collection: Maskelyne & Cooks automaton, Psycho

Maskelyne & Cooks automaton, Psycho
Maskelyne & Cooks thought-reading, whist playing automaton, Psycho, as demonstrated at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London

Background imageInvention Collection: Advert, Royles Patent Self-Pouring Teapots

Advert, Royles Patent Self-Pouring Teapots
Advertisement for Royles Patent Self-Pouring Teapots, October 1888. 1888

Background imageInvention Collection: Leonardesque model. Trench-digging machine. Model. Technolog

Leonardesque model. Trench-digging machine. Model. Technolog
Leonardesque model. Trench-digging machine. Drawing of a digger for excavating trenches or channels. Manuscript L, sheet 76v, 1497-1502. Model. The science and Technology Museum Leonardo da Vinci

Background imageInvention Collection: A very early type of railway signal by W Heath Robinson

A very early type of railway signal by W Heath Robinson
A very early type of railway signal now rarely to be seen - an example from Railway Ribaldry, drawn by William Heath Robinson and commissioned by the Great Western Railway to mark their centenary

Background imageInvention Collection: China. Han Dynasty (206 aC-220 BC). Invention

China. Han Dynasty (206 aC-220 BC). Invention

Background imageInvention Collection: Honeymoon taxi / W H Robinson

Honeymoon taxi / W H Robinson
The best man need no longer grovel under back axles to attach boots and horseshoes etc

Background imageInvention Collection: Futuristic underwater croquet

Futuristic underwater croquet. The players are all wearing diving helmets with oxygen packs on their backs

Background imageInvention Collection: Incandescent giant lamp, model of the Edison type bulb. Expo

Incandescent giant lamp, model of the Edison type bulb. Expo
Incandescent giant lamp, twelve feet high, mounted on a pedestal crowned by a model of the Edison type bulb, increased 20, 000 times

Background imageInvention Collection: Armoured bayonet curler by W H Robinson

Armoured bayonet curler by W H Robinson
For rendering useless the sentrys arme blanche. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the Estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evans 1915

Background imageInvention Collection: Crabbing Their Style by William Heath Robinson

Crabbing Their Style by William Heath Robinson
Cartoon, Crabbing their style. Toeing for crabs at and seaside resort during the holiday months. Men crab fishing using feet as bait

Background imageInvention Collection: Cricket for the middle-aged / W H Robinson

Cricket for the middle-aged / W H Robinson
More sensible cricket for the middle-aged. Every player has his own comfortable seat and drinks are served on a tray mid game

Background imageInvention Collection: Accident compensation / W H Robinson

Accident compensation / W H Robinson
When an accident occurs

Background imageInvention Collection: Out of wrong side of bed / W H Robinson

Out of wrong side of bed / W H Robinson
Post War Britain: Health and happiness at home. Simple precaution to prevent getting out of bed on the wrong side in the morning - a makeshift wall

Background imageInvention Collection: When the Hot Water Tap Runs Cold

When the Hot Water Tap Runs Cold
Ingenious invention for improving the level of bath water, especially when hot water runs out, whereby the occupant inflates a large balloon to order to displace water and raise the level

Background imageInvention Collection: Hurray for the Robinson Ray! by W. Heath Robinson

Hurray for the Robinson Ray! by W. Heath Robinson
We are privileged to publish the first illustration of a Death Ray at its dirty work

Background imageInvention Collection: Portrait of Marchese Guglielmo Marconi

Portrait of Marchese Guglielmo Marconi
This is a portrait of Italian inventor, Marconi, born 1874, who revolutionised the world of communications with his wireless invention

Background imageInvention Collection: The first motorcycle

The first motorcycle
Invention by Edward Butler, created in 1887

Background imageInvention Collection: An operation screened live in a medical lecture

An operation screened live in a medical lecture
An invention by Mr Herbert A. Silver enabling medical students to watch surgery from the lecture theatre

Background imageInvention Collection: Macmillans Bicycle

Macmillans Bicycle
Kirkpatrick Macmillan and his early Dandy Horse bicycle

Background imageInvention Collection: HANSENs TYPEWRITER / 1880

HANSENs TYPEWRITER / 1880
The remarkable typewriter invented by Rasmus Hans Malling Johan Hansen (1835 - 1890) in 1865, using a completely novel writing ball system

Background imageInvention Collection: Discovering Atlantis

Discovering Atlantis
Discovery of Atlantis and other Submerged Civilisations Date: Circa 1950

Background imageInvention Collection: Rene-Theophile-Hyacinthe Laennec, French physician

Rene-Theophile-Hyacinthe Laennec, French physician
Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec, French physician, inventor of the stethoscope in 1816 at the Hopital Necker in Paris, where he was working at the time. Seen here using a stethoscope on a patient

Background imageInvention Collection: Futuristic seahorse riding

Futuristic seahorse riding

Background imageInvention Collection: Futuristic news broadcast

Futuristic news broadcast
A futuristic news broadcast, where a couple relax in their sitting room and listen to the days news from a gramophone-like machine

Background imageInvention Collection: Futuristic airmail airship

Futuristic airmail airship
A futuristic airmail airship with a vast array of wings

Background imageInvention Collection: First published photograph, William Fox-Talbot

First published photograph, William Fox-Talbot facsimile of a photogenic drawing showing fern leaves. Date: 1839

Background imageInvention Collection: McNabs tree transplanter, as used in Edinburgh

McNabs tree transplanter, as used in Edinburgh
McNabs tree transplanter, as used by him in the Royal Scottish Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland. Date: circa 1850

Background imageInvention Collection: Phonograph by Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

Phonograph by Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)
Phonograph. Created in 1877 by Thomas Alva Edison (Milan, Ohio, 1847-West Orange, 1931). Colored engraving

Background imageInvention Collection: Some Labour-Saving Devices by William Heath Robinson

Some Labour-Saving Devices by William Heath Robinson
An Automatic Candle-Extinguishing Bed. 1919

Background imageInvention Collection: The world of tomorrow- some dreams of invention run riot; th

The world of tomorrow- some dreams of invention run riot; th
Illustration of an aerial mono rail (note date, 1st April 1905) as a vision of the future for railways

Background imageInvention Collection: Front Page of The Engineer

Front Page of The Engineer
Front page of The Engineer, a mid-19th century British periodical devoted to reporting on inventions and industrial and scientific advancements. Date: 1856

Background imageInvention Collection: Lingerie modesty screen / W H Robinson

Lingerie modesty screen / W H Robinson
For those who don t wish to air their lingerie in public - the modesty screen can be placed to enclose such offending items from view when on the washing line

Background imageInvention Collection: Cop Comfort / W Heath Robinson

Cop Comfort / W Heath Robinson
A policeman directs the traffic from the comfort of an armchair. Please note: Credit must appear as (c) Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library

Background imageInvention Collection: Horn Buffers for Cattle, 1921

Horn Buffers for Cattle, 1921
Illustration showing an invention, patented in 1921, designed to give any bull, using his horns in an aggressive fashion, a bash on the nose

Background imageInvention Collection: The Heated Shoe, 1921

The Heated Shoe, 1921
Illustration showing an invention patented in 1921 for a shoe with a hot water undersole, designed to keep ones feet warm on cold days

Background imageInvention Collection: Evans Vacuum Cap advertisement, 1906

Evans Vacuum Cap advertisement, 1906
Advertisement for the Evans Vacuum Cap, an invention intented to promote the re-growth of hair, 1906

Background imageInvention Collection: Robert William Bunsen 2

Robert William Bunsen 2
ROBERT WILHELM BUNSEN German scientist, famed for his invention of the Bunsen burner

Background imageInvention Collection: Lippersheys Lenses

Lippersheys Lenses
The legendary account of the invention of the telescope : Hans Lippersheys apprentices, playing with lenses, happen to hold two of them up together - the rest is history

Background imageInvention Collection: Electric Rail Dinner

Electric Rail Dinner
Still another use for electricity: a miniature railway that brings food from the pantry to the table, removing the need for contact with troublesome servants

Background imageInvention Collection: Futuristic encounter with an octopus

Futuristic encounter with an octopus
A futuristic encounter with an octopus on the seabed. A man rescues a woman from its clutches

Background imageInvention Collection: Futuristic underwater exploration

Futuristic underwater exploration, with two men in diving gear observing an array of strange creatures

Background imageInvention Collection: Futuristic fast food stops on the Channel crossing

Futuristic fast food stops on the Channel crossing
A futuristic scene showing fast food stops for aeroplane pilots on the Channel crossing

Background imageInvention Collection: First automatic plans of the constantinesco gear. Date: 1924

First automatic plans of the constantinesco gear. Date: 1924

Background imageInvention Collection: John Logie Baird transmitting a moving picture 1926

John Logie Baird transmitting a moving picture 1926
John Logie Baird adjusting the transmitter on his new invention. Date: January 1926

Background imageInvention Collection: Trial of a model of a new submarine torpedo-vessel and blockade runner by Mr

Trial of a model of a new submarine torpedo-vessel and blockade runner by Mr. Seymour Allan at St. George's Swimming Bath, Buckingham Palace Road, London. Date: 1896

Background imageInvention Collection: Trial of model of new submarine 1896

Trial of model of new submarine 1896
Trial of a model of a new submarine torpedo-vessel and blockade runner by Mr. Seymour Allan at St. George's Swimming Bath, Buckingham Palace Road, London. Date: 1896

Background imageInvention Collection: Raining Molten Metal - Air Warfare 1924

Raining Molten Metal - Air Warfare 1924
Yorkshire villiage of North Ferribly near Hull the works of Ernest Welsh who invented several important war devices. Date: 1924

Background imageInvention Collection: British inventor Harry Grindell Matthews's invention of the invisible ray in operation (above)

British inventor Harry Grindell Matthews's invention of the invisible ray in operation (above) putting a motor-engine out of action (below) exploding gunpower. Date: 1924

Background imageInvention Collection: John Stevens - Steamboat pioneer

John Stevens - Steamboat pioneer
Revolutionary War colonel John Stevens (1749 - 1838) - American lawyer, engineer, and inventor who constructed the first U.S. steam locomotive, first steam-powered ferry, and first U.S

Background imageInvention Collection: A Daguerre camera for taking daguerreotype photographs, 1840s

A Daguerre camera for taking daguerreotype photographs, 1840s Date: 1840s



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