Invention Collection (page 11)

The Multiplex Dragline by Heath Robinson
The multiplex dragline for dragging winding streams - another suggestion by Mr W. Heath Robinson. A complicated excavation machine enabling the operator to drag in curving lines. Date: c.1938

Building Nissen huts for troops, Western Front, WW1
British men building Nissen huts for use by troops, on the Western Front during World War One. The semi-cylindrical Nissen hut was invented by Major Peter Norman Nissen in 1916. Date: circa 1916

The Cow and Plate Polecat Trapper
Another ingenious idea from the inventive mind of William Heath Robinson, the gadget king, for a cow and plate pole-cat trapper on the Catskill Mountains

The Ice Hole Clam Spearer by Heath Robinson
An ingenious, though perhaps rather complicated device to catch clams through ice in the frozen north, part of a series of drawings in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News entitled

The Chipmunk Bagger by Heath Robinson
Ingenious contraption for use in the wilds of Brazil, a chipmunk bagger, part of a series by William Heath Robinson in the Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News called Very Patent Aides to Sport

The Lifelyke stilted giraffe lurer by Heath Robinson
The Lifelyke stilted giraffe-lurer, part of a series called Very Patent Aides to Sport by William Heath Robinson in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News

Method of saving submarine seamen by G. H. Davis
Our own method of saving submarine seamen. Showing two divers wearing the recently invented copper helmet and waterproof jacket

Europe to America in 45 minutes by G. H. Davis
Not a Wellsian fantasy, but an actual project in preparation by Germany: Europe to America in 45 minutes. Drawings of a long-range rocket designed in Germany during the Second World War

British target-finding invention by G. H. Davis
Bombing through clouds during the Second World War: a British target-finding invention. Illustrating the Gen-Box principle, which sees targets invisible to the human eye. Date: 1944

Magnetic mine by G. H. Davis
The German magnetic mine: the first diagrams of its working and the methods by which it is laid. Diagrams showing the delicate electrical mechanism which reacts to the weak magnetic field set up by a

Robot guns for British aircraft by G. H. Davis
Robot guns for British aircraft: remotely-controlled turrets. Enabling one gunner to direct fire from numerous different positions

Acoustic torpedoes by G. H. Davis
Off the secret list: torpedoes which hunt their prey by ear, and leave no telltale bubble track. Explanatory drawings showing how electric

Atom bombers view of Bikini Atoll by G. H. Davis
Target for annihilation: an atom bombers view of Bikini Atoll, in the Pacific Ocean, with the fleet of warship victims assembled in the lagoon. Date: 1946

Seance of the Philip group, Toronto, Canada. This science-based group invented an imaginary spirit, Philip, who seemed to communicate as effectively as any real spirit from the other world

The Gentle Art of Excavating - Early Walking Draglilne`
An early form of the walking dragline stripping rocky overburden preparatory to erecting a new tea shop in the Allegheny Mountains

The Gentle Art of Excavating - Latest Type of Grab Crane
The latest type of grab crane clearing out a small pond on Hampstead Heath. A typically rickety and convoluted crane goes through the ridiculous process of clearing out a tiny pond on Hampstead

Early British dirigible, front view
Early British dirigible, seen from the front, on the ground with crew. Date: early 20th century

Early British dirigible on the ground
Early British dirigible, seen here on the ground, with crew. Date: early 20th century

Early British dirigible on the ground with crew
Early British dirigible, seen here on the ground, with crew. Date: early 20th century

Early British dirigible in flight. Date: early 20th century

Some Labour-Saving Devices by William Heath Robinson
The Top Watch Winder. 1919

Sir Robert A. Hadfield, Vanity Fair, WH
SIR ROBERT ABBOTT HADFIELD, 1st Baronet of Sheffield (1858 - 1940) English metallurgist, noted for his work with steel alloys and the invention of manganese steel and silicon steel

Taking thread: Sound-Waves on a Cord 1922
Mr. W F Croll, who holds the parent, of a method of recording and reproducing sound-waves by means of a cellulose thread instead of by the generally known disc or cylinder record

Sir Richard Tangye
Sir Richard Trevithick Tangye, civil engineer and industrialist, manufacturer of engines and other heavy equipment. Seen here in the late 1850s with the Great Eastern steamship before its launch to

Hjorths electro-magnetic motive engine 1849
SHjorth (1801- 1870), Danish inventor Hjorths electro-magnetic motive engine. The motor was a significant development from earlier electro-magnetic engines

BATH CHAIR BOAT
An unconventional bath chair boat, operated by levers. Date: early 1930s

Helenas Vision
Saint HELENA, wife of Constantius and mother of Constantine, aged 63+, has a vision of the invention (= finding) of Jesuss cross, which miraculously comes true. Date: CIRCA 250 - CIRCA 330

Page from the original notebook of George Cayley (1773-1857) - prolific English engineer and one of the most important people in the history of aeronautics. Date: 1808

Lunardi Balloon
Plate showing Representatn of Mr Lunardi making an Experiment on the Thames of his invention to save persons from drowning

Lawrence Hargrave and James Swaine experimenting with four man-lifting kites, based on Hargraves invention of the box-kite structure

Flat Arabian astrolabe from 16th c

Hertzs radio set 1886 1935

Wheatstones Tape Telegraph 1858 1935

Graham Bells Telephone 1886 1935

Early use of the magnet 1935

Robert William Bunsen 3
ROBERT WILHELM BUNSEN German scientist, famed for his invention of the Bunsen burner. In old age. Date: 1811 - 1899

Fax / Belinograph 1908
Edouard Belins Belinograph, an early form of fax machine which transmitted pictures. Date: 1908

Edisons Lamp / Original
Edisons original lamp and lamp fitting. Date: circa 1880

The Great Aerial Navigator, or Atmospheric Machine! An article with a detailed diagram showing an aerial machine claimed to be capable of transportation to India and China in the space of five days

Flying by Mechanical Means
Designs for man-powered flight, modelled on birds. 1810

Arkwrights spinning machine
Richard Arkwrights 1776 specification for devices to prepare silk and cotton for a spinning machine Date: 1776

A Crystal Set-to by William Heath Robinson
A somewhat startling wireless development witnessed on Hampstead Heath during the broadcasting of an interesting dance programme

Herr Granada, Alma Fedora in their own invention, the revolving pyrotechnic fountain marvellous sic high wire artists. Date 189-?

Hot Dog by William Heath Robinson
An ingenious central heating device for bathing on chilly morning of the early part of the season. A smug and rather rotund gentleman tests out a typically convoluted Heath Robinson invention

Mine rescue team wearing breathing apparatus
A mine rescue team wearing new breathing apparatus set off into the mine by truck. circa 1911

A Seaside Snap Shot by William Heath Robinson
Ingenious method of overcoming the difficulty of taking ones own photograph by bathing devised by the gadget king, and master of silly ideas, William Heath Robinson. Date: 1927

Automatic train ticket machine, 1904
A novel idea introduced in 1904 of an automatic booking clerk available at Homerton railway station in East London, enabling early morning workmen to buy a train ticket for 2d by putting money in

US Armys first plane, Fort Myer, Virginia, USA
The US Armys first plane, seen here with crew at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA, after it had been equipped with wheels. It was the first successful aeroplane in the world, powered by a Wright B45 engine

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