Inventors from Leeds
Leeds, situated in Yorkshire, is the birthplace of a number of inventions, engineers and entrepreneurs, some more successful than others.
John Smeaton, born in Leeds in 1724, is often regarded as the father of civil engineering. John Smeaton designed lighthouses and canals, bridges and harbours. He was also renowned as both a physicist and a mechanical engineer. John Smeaton was also responsible for the development of modern cement, and the invention of Portland Cement. Along with these achievements John Smeaton also founded the Society of Civil Engineers.
John Blenkinsop was an inventor of the steam locomotive and a mining engineer, who designed the rack and pinion railway in Leeds, along with the first practical railway locomotive. In 1812 Matthew Murray designed and developed the twin cylinder Salamanca, which was the first commercially viable steam locomotive. Matthew Murray was also renowned for innovations in a number of other fields, including machinery used for the textile industry.
In 1897 James Henry Atkinson invented the mousetrap in Leeds, which he called the "Little Nipper". This design is still the most popular today, slamming shut at a record of 38,000s of a second which has yet to be beaten.
While the economy of Leeds was historically manufacturing based, today a major factor in the economy is the service industry. The city of Leeds is also one of the largest financial centres outside of London in the UK. Banking, insurance, public administration and education are all contributors to Leeds growth along with the tourism industry.
Although traditionally offices in Leeds have been located in the inner city area, currently office developments are expanding to other areas, including South of the River Aire.
John Smeaton, born in Leeds in 1724, is often regarded as the father of civil engineering. John Smeaton designed lighthouses and canals, bridges and harbours. He was also renowned as both a physicist and a mechanical engineer. John Smeaton was also responsible for the development of modern cement, and the invention of Portland Cement. Along with these achievements John Smeaton also founded the Society of Civil Engineers.
John Blenkinsop was an inventor of the steam locomotive and a mining engineer, who designed the rack and pinion railway in Leeds, along with the first practical railway locomotive. In 1812 Matthew Murray designed and developed the twin cylinder Salamanca, which was the first commercially viable steam locomotive. Matthew Murray was also renowned for innovations in a number of other fields, including machinery used for the textile industry.
In 1897 James Henry Atkinson invented the mousetrap in Leeds, which he called the "Little Nipper". This design is still the most popular today, slamming shut at a record of 38,000s of a second which has yet to be beaten.
While the economy of Leeds was historically manufacturing based, today a major factor in the economy is the service industry. The city of Leeds is also one of the largest financial centres outside of London in the UK. Banking, insurance, public administration and education are all contributors to Leeds growth along with the tourism industry.
Although traditionally offices in Leeds have been located in the inner city area, currently office developments are expanding to other areas, including South of the River Aire.