Www.who? Brits unaware of nation's technological triumphs

Nearly half of Brits do not have a clue about the UK's outstanding achievements in inventing and manufacturing, a new study has found.

Almost half of those surveyed weren't aware the internet was a British innovation, despite the fact its creator, Londoner Sir Tim Berners-Lee, was honoured during the recent Olympic Opening Ceremony for his world-changing contribution.

Around a third of the public did not know the television originated in Scotland in the 1920s, and one in three didn't know Coventry-born Sir Frank Whittle came up with the idea for the turbojet engine in the 1930s.

Almost two thirds of people were unaware the light switch was created by John Henry Holmes in 1884 in Newcastle upon Tyne, while more than half didn't credit the sewing machine as an English invention.

The survey, which was conducted to coincide with the Make it in Great Britain exhibition at the Science Museum in London, also found many of us believe manufacturing success in Britain is a thing of the past, with only one in three believing Britain is at the forefront of industry.

Equally, a third weren't aware British manufacturers and scientists have created bionic limbs which are already in use in the UK.

Eighty-five percent of those surveyed had no idea scientists may be getting close to creating an invisibility cloak, while only one in ten knew the technology behind spray-on clothes is being pioneered in Britain.

Another common misconception amongst those surveyed - 80 per cent - was the UK makes more from finance than it does from manufacturing, even though manufacturing is worth £137bn a year to the UK economy and employs up to 2.5 million people.

The Make it in Great Britain exhibition at the Science Museum in London is on show until September 9 and features some of the most exciting Great British innovations of today.