SettingsScottish inventions
Aerial tramway
An aerial tramway (U.S. English), cable car (British English), ropeway (Japanese) or aerial tram is a type of aerial lift which uses one or two stationary ropes for support ...
An aerial tramway (U.S. English), cable car (British English), ropeway (Japanese) or aerial tram is a type of aerial lift which uses one or two stationary ropes for support ...
Applications of the Stirling engine
Applications of the Stirling engine range from heating and cooling to underwater power systems.
Applications of the Stirling engine range from heating and cooling to underwater power systems.
Atmometer
The atmometer or evaporimeter is a scientific instrument used for measuring the rate of evaporation from a wet surface to the atmosphere.
The atmometer or evaporimeter is a scientific instrument used for measuring the rate of evaporation from a wet surface to the atmosphere.
Balloon mail
Balloon mail refers to the transport of mail (usually for weight reasons in the form of a postcard) carrying the name of the sender by means of an unguided hydrogen or helium filled balloon.
Balloon mail refers to the transport of mail (usually for weight reasons in the form of a postcard) carrying the name of the sender by means of an unguided hydrogen or helium filled balloon.
Bank of England
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and is the model on which most modern central banks have been based.
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and is the model on which most modern central banks have been based.
Beta blocker
Beta blockers or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists or beta antagonists, are a class of drugs used for various indications.
Beta blockers or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists or beta antagonists, are a class of drugs used for various indications.
Bicycle
A bicycle, often called a bike, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other.
A bicycle, often called a bike, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other.
Bovril
Bovril is the trademarked name of a thick, salty meat extract, developed in the 1870s by John Lawson Johnston and sold in a distinctive, bulbous jar.
Bovril is the trademarked name of a thick, salty meat extract, developed in the 1870s by John Lawson Johnston and sold in a distinctive, bulbous jar.
Boys' Brigade
The Boys' Brigade is an interdenominational Christian youth organisation, conceived by William Alexander Smith to combine drill and fun activities with Christian values.
The Boys' Brigade is an interdenominational Christian youth organisation, conceived by William Alexander Smith to combine drill and fun activities with Christian values.
Brush (electric)
A brush is a device which conducts current between stationary wires and moving parts, most commonly in a rotating shaft.
A brush is a device which conducts current between stationary wires and moving parts, most commonly in a rotating shaft.
Cam-in-block
The cam-in-block valvetrain layout of piston engines is one where the camshaft is placed within the cylinder block, usually beside and slightly above the crankshaft in a straight engine or direc...
The cam-in-block valvetrain layout of piston engines is one where the camshaft is placed within the cylinder block, usually beside and slightly above the crankshaft in a straight engine or direc...
Carronade
The carronade was a short smoothbore, cast iron cannon, developed for the Royal Navy by the Carron Company, an ironworks in Falkirk, Scotland, UK. It was used from the 1770s to the 1850s.
The carronade was a short smoothbore, cast iron cannon, developed for the Royal Navy by the Carron Company, an ironworks in Falkirk, Scotland, UK. It was used from the 1770s to the 1850s.
Centrifugal governor
A centrifugal governor is a specific type of governor that controls the speed of an engine by regulating the amount of fuel admitted, so as to maintain a near constant speed whatever the load or...
A centrifugal governor is a specific type of governor that controls the speed of an engine by regulating the amount of fuel admitted, so as to maintain a near constant speed whatever the load or...
Chlorination
Chlorination is the process of adding the element chlorine to water as a method of water purification to make it fit for human consumption as drinking water.
Chlorination is the process of adding the element chlorine to water as a method of water purification to make it fit for human consumption as drinking water.
Cloud chamber
The cloud chamber, also known as the Wilson chamber, is a particle detector used for detecting ionizing radiation.
The cloud chamber, also known as the Wilson chamber, is a particle detector used for detecting ionizing radiation.
Cold formed steel
Cold-Formed Steel is the common term for products made by rolling or pressing thin gauges of sheet steel into goods.
Cold-Formed Steel is the common term for products made by rolling or pressing thin gauges of sheet steel into goods.
Color photography
Colour photography is photography that uses media capable of representing colours, which are traditionally produced chemically during the photographic processing phase.
Colour photography is photography that uses media capable of representing colours, which are traditionally produced chemically during the photographic processing phase.
Electric clock
An electric clock is a clock that is powered by electricity instead of powered manually or by other sources of energy, specifically in order to wind the mainspring or to drive the pendulum or os...
An electric clock is a clock that is powered by electricity instead of powered manually or by other sources of energy, specifically in order to wind the mainspring or to drive the pendulum or os...
Fairlie locomotive
A Fairlie is a type of articulated steam locomotive that has the driving wheels on bogies.
A Fairlie is a type of articulated steam locomotive that has the driving wheels on bogies.
Fax
Fax, sometimes called telecopying, is the telephonic transmission of scanned printed material, normally to a telephone number connected to a printer or other output device.
Fax, sometimes called telecopying, is the telephonic transmission of scanned printed material, normally to a telephone number connected to a printer or other output device.
Ferguson rifle
The Ferguson rifle was the first breech loading rifle to be widely tested by the British military.
The Ferguson rifle was the first breech loading rifle to be widely tested by the British military.
Fresno scraper
The Fresno Scraper is a machine used for constructing canals and ditches in sandy soil.
The Fresno Scraper is a machine used for constructing canals and ditches in sandy soil.
Glasgow Coma Scale
The Glasgow Coma Scale or GCS is a neurological scale that aims to give a reliable, objective way of recording the conscious state of a person for initial as well as subsequent assessment.
The Glasgow Coma Scale or GCS is a neurological scale that aims to give a reliable, objective way of recording the conscious state of a person for initial as well as subsequent assessment.
Gregorian telescope
The Gregorian telescope is a type of reflecting telescope designed by Scottish mathematician and astronomer James Gregory in the 17th century, and first built in 1673 by Robert Hooke.
The Gregorian telescope is a type of reflecting telescope designed by Scottish mathematician and astronomer James Gregory in the 17th century, and first built in 1673 by Robert Hooke.
Harris Tweed
Harris Tweed is a cloth that has been handwoven by the islanders on the Isles of Harris, Lewis, Uist and Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, using local wool.
Harris Tweed is a cloth that has been handwoven by the islanders on the Isles of Harris, Lewis, Uist and Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, using local wool.
Kaleidoscope
A kaleidoscopes is a circle of mirrors containing loose, colored objects such as beads or pebbles and bits of glass.
A kaleidoscopes is a circle of mirrors containing loose, colored objects such as beads or pebbles and bits of glass.
Kelvin
The kelvin is a unit of measurement for temperature.
The kelvin is a unit of measurement for temperature.
Kelvin water dropper
The Kelvin water dropper, invented by Lord Kelvin (1867), is a type of electrostatic generator.
The Kelvin water dropper, invented by Lord Kelvin (1867), is a type of electrostatic generator.
Lime cordial
Lime cordial is a mixture of concentrated lime and sugar, sometimes used as a mixer for cocktail.
Lime cordial is a mixture of concentrated lime and sugar, sometimes used as a mixer for cocktail.
Limelight
Limelight (also known as calcium light) is a type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls.
Limelight (also known as calcium light) is a type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls.
Logarithm
The logarithm of a number is the exponent by which another fixed value, the base, has to be raised to produce that number.
The logarithm of a number is the exponent by which another fixed value, the base, has to be raised to produce that number.
Macadam
Macadam is a type of road construction pioneered by the Scotsman John Loudon McAdam in around 1820.
Macadam is a type of road construction pioneered by the Scotsman John Loudon McAdam in around 1820.
Mackintosh
The Mackintosh or Macintosh is a form of waterproof raincoat, first sold in 1824, made out of rubberised fabric.
The Mackintosh or Macintosh is a form of waterproof raincoat, first sold in 1824, made out of rubberised fabric.
Medical ultrasonography
Diagnostic sonography (ultrasonography) is an ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used for visualizing subcutaneous body structures including tendons, muscles, joints, vessels an...
Diagnostic sonography (ultrasonography) is an ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used for visualizing subcutaneous body structures including tendons, muscles, joints, vessels an...
Mole wrench
Locking pliers, Mole grips (Mole wrench) or Vise-Grips are pliers that can be locked into position, using an over-center action.
Locking pliers, Mole grips (Mole wrench) or Vise-Grips are pliers that can be locked into position, using an over-center action.
Napier's bones
Napier's bones is an abacus created by John Napier for calculation of products and quotients of numbers that was based on Arab mathematics and lattice multiplication used by Matrakci Nasuh in th...
Napier's bones is an abacus created by John Napier for calculation of products and quotients of numbers that was based on Arab mathematics and lattice multiplication used by Matrakci Nasuh in th...
Nicol prism
A Nicol prism is a type of polarizer, an optical device used to produce a polarized beam of light from an unpolarized beam.
A Nicol prism is a type of polarizer, an optical device used to produce a polarized beam of light from an unpolarized beam.
Overhead valve
An overhead valve (OHV) engine, also informally called pushrod engine or I-head engine, is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft within the cylinder block (usually beside ...
An overhead valve (OHV) engine, also informally called pushrod engine or I-head engine, is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft within the cylinder block (usually beside ...
Paleobiology
Paleobiology is a growing and comparatively new discipline which combines the methods and findings of the natural science biology with the methods and findings of the earth science paleontology.
Paleobiology is a growing and comparatively new discipline which combines the methods and findings of the natural science biology with the methods and findings of the earth science paleontology.
Parallel motion
The parallel motion is a mechanical linkage invented by the Scottish engineer James Watt in 1784 for his double-acting steam engine.
The parallel motion is a mechanical linkage invented by the Scottish engineer James Watt in 1784 for his double-acting steam engine.
Patent slip
The Patent slip or Marine Railway was invented by Scot Thomas Morton in 1818 as a cheaper alternative to a dry dock for ship repair.
The Patent slip or Marine Railway was invented by Scot Thomas Morton in 1818 as a cheaper alternative to a dry dock for ship repair.
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage.
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage.
Promptuary
In mathematics, the promptuary is a more complex version of Napier's bones which makes it easier to perform multidigit multiplication.
In mathematics, the promptuary is a more complex version of Napier's bones which makes it easier to perform multidigit multiplication.
Propranolol
Propranolol is a sympatholytic non-selective beta blocker.
Propranolol is a sympatholytic non-selective beta blocker.
Rankine-Hugoniot conditions
The Rankine–Hugoniot conditions, also referred to as Rankine–Hugoniot jump conditions or Rankine–Hugoniot relations, relate to the behaviour of shock waves traveling normal to the pr...
The Rankine–Hugoniot conditions, also referred to as Rankine–Hugoniot jump conditions or Rankine–Hugoniot relations, relate to the behaviour of shock waves traveling normal to the pr...
Retail banking
Retail banking is banking in which banking institutions execute transactions directly with consumers, rather than corporations or other banks.
Retail banking is banking in which banking institutions execute transactions directly with consumers, rather than corporations or other banks.
Roller printing on textiles
Roller printing, also called cylinder printing or machine printing, on fabrics is a textile printing process patented by Thomas Bell of Scotland in 1783 in an attempt to reduce the c...
Roller printing, also called cylinder printing or machine printing, on fabrics is a textile printing process patented by Thomas Bell of Scotland in 1783 in an attempt to reduce the c...
Ross rifle
The Ross rifle was a straight-pull bolt-action 0.303 inch calibre rifle produced in Canada from 1903 until the middle of the First World War.
The Ross rifle was a straight-pull bolt-action 0.303 inch calibre rifle produced in Canada from 1903 until the middle of the First World War.
Scotch gauge
Scotch gauge was the name given to a track gauge, that was adopted by early 19th century railways mainly in the Lanarkshire area of Scotland.
Scotch gauge was the name given to a track gauge, that was adopted by early 19th century railways mainly in the Lanarkshire area of Scotland.
Scottish inventions and discoveries
Scottish inventions and discoveries are objects, processes or techniques either partially or entirely invented or discovered by a person born in or descended from Scotland.
Scottish inventions and discoveries are objects, processes or techniques either partially or entirely invented or discovered by a person born in or descended from Scotland.
Sellotape
Sellotape is a European brand of transparent, cellulose-based, pressure sensitive adhesive tape, and is the leading brand of clear, pressure sensitive tape in the United Kingdom.
Sellotape is a European brand of transparent, cellulose-based, pressure sensitive adhesive tape, and is the leading brand of clear, pressure sensitive tape in the United Kingdom.
Stereotype (printing)
A stereotype, in printing, also known as a cliché, stereoplate or simply a stereo, was originally a "solid plate or type-metal, cast from a papier-mâché or plaster mould taken ...
A stereotype, in printing, also known as a cliché, stereoplate or simply a stereo, was originally a "solid plate or type-metal, cast from a papier-mâché or plaster mould taken ...
Stirling engine
A Stirling engine is a heat engine operating by cyclic compression and expansion of air or other gas, the working fluid, at different temperature levels such that there is a net conversion o...
A Stirling engine is a heat engine operating by cyclic compression and expansion of air or other gas, the working fluid, at different temperature levels such that there is a net conversion o...
Sun and planet gear
The sun and planet gear (also called the planet and sun gear) was a method of converting reciprocal motion to rotary motion and was utilised in a reciprocating steam engine.
The sun and planet gear (also called the planet and sun gear) was a method of converting reciprocal motion to rotary motion and was utilised in a reciprocating steam engine.
Sympiesometer
A sympiesometer is a compact and lightweight type of barometer that was widely used on ships in the 19th century.
A sympiesometer is a compact and lightweight type of barometer that was widely used on ships in the 19th century.
Telephone
The telephone, colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice.
The telephone, colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with or without accompanying sound.
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with or without accompanying sound.
Threshing machine
The thrashing machine, or, in modern spelling, threshing machine, was a machine first invented by Scottish mechanical engineer Andrew Meikle for use in agriculture.
The thrashing machine, or, in modern spelling, threshing machine, was a machine first invented by Scottish mechanical engineer Andrew Meikle for use in agriculture.
Tire
A tire (in American English and Canadian English) or tyre (in some Commonwealth Nations such as UK, and Australia) is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and ...
A tire (in American English and Canadian English) or tyre (in some Commonwealth Nations such as UK, and Australia) is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and ...
Tree shelter
A Tree shelter is a type of plastic shelter used to nurture trees in the early stages of their growth.
A Tree shelter is a type of plastic shelter used to nurture trees in the early stages of their growth.
Vacuum flask
A vacuum flask or thermos is an insulating storage vessel which keeps its contents hotter or cooler than its surroundings.
A vacuum flask or thermos is an insulating storage vessel which keeps its contents hotter or cooler than its surroundings.
Vehicle insurance
Vehicle insurance (also known as auto insurance, car insurance, or motor insurance) is insurance purchased for cars, trucks, and other road vehicles.
Vehicle insurance (also known as auto insurance, car insurance, or motor insurance) is insurance purchased for cars, trucks, and other road vehicles.
Watt steam engine
The Watt steam engine was the first type of steam engine to make use of steam at a pressure just above atmospheric to drive the piston helped by a partial vacuum.
The Watt steam engine was the first type of steam engine to make use of steam at a pressure just above atmospheric to drive the piston helped by a partial vacuum.
Watt's linkage
Watt's linkage (also known as the parallel linkage) is a type of mechanical linkage invented by James Watt (19 January 1736 – 25 August 1819) in which the central moving point o...
Watt's linkage (also known as the parallel linkage) is a type of mechanical linkage invented by James Watt (19 January 1736 – 25 August 1819) in which the central moving point o...