Inventors and Inventions - Introduction

This web site consists of a searchable database of Yorkshire patents from 1675 based on the patent collection held by Leeds Libraries Business and Patent Information Services. A brief description of each patent is available and a scanned copy of the front page of the patent can be seen. A diagram is also viewable for any patents with diagrams included. Full copies of the patents are available on request. While most of the patents have been included on the basis of the inventor / applicant having a Yorkshire address there are some which have been included which are outside the area but were felt to have a connection with Yorkshire.

The site also contains a number of Learning Trails which provide background information on some of the inventors and their inventions. Teaching resources linked to the trails can also be found within the site.

This site has been made available by Leeds Library and Information Service with material primarily taken from collections in the Central Library.  Further material has been used courtesy of Bradford Industrial Museum and Wakefield Libraries and Information Services. Individual images are credited to the relevant organisations and we are grateful to them for allowing us to reproduce them on the site. All other images are copyright Leeds Library and Information Service. This site has been funded by a grant from MLA Yorkshire.

                                             Blenkinsop's rack & pinion