41 out of 78 (52%) plaques have been curated
55 subjects all or unphotographedGender Diversity
Volk's Electric Railway, Brighton. The world's oldest electric railway opened on 4 August 1883. Constructed by pioneering electrical engineer Magnus Volk, the line still follows much of the original route. The continued operation of this railway is a tribute to his life and work
Seafront, Brighton, United Kingdom
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MS Yavari The world's oldest iron kit-built ship. Designed by James Watt & Co and built in 1862 by the Thames Ironworks & Shipbuilding Co, she was assembled on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Peru and launched in 1870. Now powered by a 1914 4-cylinder Bolinder hot bulb semi-diesel engine producing 320bhp at 225rpm, MS Yavari is an enduring symbol of the ingenuity and global reach of British engineering.
Yavari, Puno Bay, Lake Titicaca, Peru
Locomotive No.1 The oldest surviving steam locomotive in Australia Built by Robert Stephenson & Co. in 1854, this is the only locomotive designed by James McConnell, one of the founders of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, to have been preserved. Locomotive No.1 symbolises the transformation of social, industrial and commercial life in New South Wales through British railway technology.
Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The Humphrey Pump H A Humphrey MIMechE A four-stroke engine with no pistons or crankshaft, Humphrey's ingenious invention patented in 1906 acts directly upon the water it pumps. This gas fuelled example, built by William Beardmore & Co., served Cobdogla from 1927 to 1965. Restored in 1985, it is the only working Humphrey Pump in the world.
Cobdogla Irrigation Museum, Cobdogla, SA, Australia
Boulton and Watt Engine The oldest rotative steam engine in the world. Built in 1785, it powered Whitbread's London Brewary until 1887. James Watt demonstrated this engine to King George III when he visited the brewary in 1787. This engine marks the start of mass industrialisation and the exponential increase in our use of fossil fuel.
Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Jaguar E-type Designed by Malcolm Sayer under the direction of Sir William Lyons (HonFIMechE) the Jaguar E-type is a direct descendant of the cars which won five Le Mans 24 hour races during the 1950s. It introduced breakthrough motor engineering technology such as the combined monocoque-spaceframe which in later years was adopted by Formula one.
Jaguar Heritage, Browns Lane, Allesley, Coventry, United Kingdom
Talyllyn Railway Opened in 1866, the Talyllyn Railway is the oldest continuously operated narrow gauge railway in Britain. In 1951 it became the world's first volunteer operated preserved railway. At 7.25 miles long and with a gauge of 2 feet and 3 inches, the Talyllyn Railway is an important part of Welsh industrial heritage.
Talyllyn Railway, Wharf Station, Tywyn, United Kingdom
Avro Vulcan XH558 Designed by Roy Chadwick and Stuart Davies The last airworthy representative of the RAF's V-bomber fleet, the British strategic deterrent from 1955 to 1969, the Vulcan is a stirring example of British leadership in aviation. XH558 was in service until 1993 and is powered by four Rolls-Royce Olympus engines.
Vulcan to the Sky, Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster, United Kingdom
PS Waverley A & J Inglis Ltd - Glasgow Built in 1946 for the London & North Eastern Railway, Waverley is the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world. She has a displacement of 693 tons and Rankin & Blackmore triple expansion steam engine producing 2100 ihp at 58 rpm. In acceptance trials she achieved a speed of 18 knots.
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Quarry Bank Mill A unique collection of working textile and power machinery enabling visitors to experience the whole process from spinning raw cotton to weaving finished cloth. Quarry Bank Mill is a site of educational importance, providing a link for the children of today with children of a bygone era.
Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Styal, Wilmslow, United Kingdom
Float Glass Process Invented by Sir Alastair Pilkington and his team of engineers, scientists and production workers in 1953 at Pilkington Brothers, St Helens. This process has revolutionised window and automotive glass production throughout the world since the 1960s.
Pilkington Group Limited, Prescott Road, St Helens, Merseyside, United Kingdom
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Rolls Royce RB211 Engine The RB211 is the first, and at present the only, three-shaft, high bypass ratio aero engine in the world to go into production. 25 years on, it is still setting new standards of reliability and durability.
Rolls Royce Heritage Centre, Derby, United Kingdom
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CA Parsons No5 Generator This was one of the first commercial machines based on the 1884 patent by Charles A Parsons for a steam turbine and used a dynamo as load. Output 65 amps, 100 volts at a speed on 12,000rpm. Presented to Trinity College, Dublin by Gerald Stone, BAI, 1911.
Parsons Building, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin, Ireland
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Claverton Pump Designed by John Rennie (1761-1821). Built 1810-1813. Restored by Kennet and Avon Canal Trust 1969-1976.
Claverton Pumping Station, Ferry Lane, Claverton, Bath, United Kingdom
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Ffestiniog Railway In 1863 the company pioneered the use of narrow-gauge steam locomotive haulage. The Fairlie patent design of articulated bogie locomotive and Britain's first bogie coaches were successfully introduced in the 1870s. These innovations led to worldwide exports for British technology.
Ffestiniog Railway, Harbour Station, Porthmadog, United Kingdom
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River Don Engine A three-cylinder 12,000hp engine with Joy Valve Gear, one of the most powerful surviving steam engines in the world. Built in 1905 by Davy Brothers of Sheffield, and installed at Cammell's Grimesthorpe Works to drive an armour plate rolling mill, this engine was transferred to the River Don Works of English Steel Corporation where it remained until Easter 1978.
Kelham Island Industrial Museum, Alma Street, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Cragside The House of Lord Armstrong (1810-1900) investor, engineer and armaments manufacturer. His hydraulic and hydroelectric inventions were applied throughout his estate. The house was the first in the world to be lit by electricity derived from water power.
Cragside, Rothbury, Morpeth, United Kingdom
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Maudslay Rope-forming Machine Designed and manufactured in 1811 by Henry Maudslay (1771-1831). It was used to re-rope HMS Victory and is still in use today.
Chatham Historical Dockyard, The Old Surgery, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, United Kingdom
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Boulton and Watt Engine The world's oldest steam engine still able to perform its original function. Presented to mark the year of the 250th anniversary of the birth of James Watt (Engineer) 1736-1819.
Crofton Pumping Station, Crofton, Marlborough, United Kingdom
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Kirkaldy Materials Testing Machine Built in 1865 to David Kirkaldy's design. This machine established the present-day system of materials testing and specifications of mechanical properties for engineering materials.
99 Southwark Street, SE1, London, United Kingdom
Post Office Underground Railway Opened 5 December 1927. The first automatic electric railway and the only postal railway in the world, providing a unique solution to the problem of transporting large volumes of mail across a capital city.
Mount Pleasant Post Office, 151 Mount Pleasant Road, N17, London, United Kingdom
Bellerophon Built in 1874 to Josiah Evans' design at his family's Haydock foundry. The earliest surviving example of piston valves in a steam locomotive. Restored to full working order by the Vintage Carriages Trust in 1985.
Museum of Rail Travel, Ingrow, Keighley, United Kingdom
Locomotion No 1 Locomotion was built to a design originated by George Stephenson, the first President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. On the opening day of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, 27 September 1825, he drove this engine, hauling the inaugural train, on the world's first steam-worked public railway.
Darlington Railway Museum, North Road Station, Darlington, United Kingdom
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Hawker Siddeley Harrier The world's first operational V/STOL aircraft which entered service in 1969. Developed from the P1127, a concept by the Hawker Aircraft and Bristol Siddeley Engines design teams under the leadership of Sir Sydney Camm and Sir Stanley Hooker.
Kingston upon Thames, London, United Kingdom
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Princess of Wales Conservatory Designed by PSA Projects and opened on 28 July 1987 as the world's most advanced energy-efficient conservatory. It incorporates ten different climatic zones, created and maintained by a fully integrated computer-controlled system.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9, London, United Kingdom
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Thames Barrier Officially opened in 1984, it is the world's largest navigable flood barrier and incorporated novel and unique engineering design and operation of equipment. It is vital and effective in London's flood defences as well as being one of the capital's aesthetically pleasing major structures. Project sponsored by the Greater London Council Consulting engineers Rendel Palmer and Tritton. Operated by the National Rivers Authority.
Thames Barrier Learning Centre, 1 Unity Way, Woolwich SE18, London, United Kingdom
Wortley Top Forge The world's oldest surviving heavy-iron forge, operated from 1620 to 1908. It earned a worldwide reputation for the quality of the railway axles produced in the 19th century. It was a pioneering example of integrated engineering, combining research, design, and manufacture and testing.
Wortley Top Forge Industrial Museum, Forge Lane, Thurgoland, United Kingdom
Thames Water Ring Main This is a unique water distribution system with a pressurised closed tunnel ring of drinking water, gravity fed from several treatment works.
Thames Water, Islington, London, United Kingdom
Otto Langen Engine This engine (No 379) is one of about 1,300 built by Crossley Brothers, Manchester to a Nikolaus August Otto design patented in 1866. It is an example of the first commercially successful internal combustion engine which was introduced at the 1867 Paris Exhibition.
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom
The Nottingham CHP Community Heating Scheme The Nottingham Combined Heating and Power Scheme is the first in the UK to produce commercial electricity and hot water for community heating by the efficient incineration of refuse. Reducing refuse to sterile, inert residue and extending the life of landfill sites are additional environmental and economic benefits of the scheme.
?, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Transport Heritage Site 'Red Wheel' #36
SS Great Britain An outstanding example of I. K. Brunel's innovative design that made a significant contribution to society and mechanical engineering. It was the first iron-hulled, screw-propelled vessel to cross any ocean. It was conceived as a key element in the integrated transport system from London to the New World.
Great western Dock, Gasferry Road, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Priestman Oil Engine William Dent Priestman (1847-1926) patented in 1885 an internal combustion engine to burn fuels heavier than petrol. Introduced in 1886, it was the first successful engine of its type in the United Kingdom. The quality of his mechanical engineering has lasted.
Streetlife Museum, High Street, Hull, United Kingdom
World's First Prototype Cast Steel Node The world's first cast steel node made in 1978 at the nearby foundry of River Don Castings, now part of Sheffield Forgemasters. Used to join the tubulars of offshore oil platforms, the design in cast steel represented a significant milestone for both the development of casting technology and offshore structures.
Sheffield Forgemasters (roundabout outside works), Brightside Lane, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Jubilee Line Extension In recognition of the numerous features contributing to passenger safety and access on the Jubilee Line Extension, exemplifying the continuous innovation in London's Underground system from its inception in 1863.
Canary Wharf Underground Station, Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom
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The Bessemer Converter In recognition of the outstanding contribution to the steel industry by Sir Henry Bessemer through his invention of the Bessemer Process for steelmaking as embodied in this last remaining example of the Bessemer Converter.
Kelham Island Industrial Museum, Alma Street, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Bramah Hydraulic Press Presented in recognition of the outstanding contribution to mechanical engineering made by Joseph Bramah in laying the foundations of fluid power engineering, as embodied in this last remaining example of a Bramah Hydraulic Press.
Kelham Island Industrial Museum, Alma Street, Sheffield, United Kingdom
The Great Western Society For its work in preserving and recreating the heritage of the Great Western Railway, allowing future generations to enjoy the work of Brunel, Gooch and Churchward, to participate and to learn engineering skills.
Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot Parkway Station, Didcot, United Kingdom
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Beyer Peacock Garratt K1 Locomotive Built in 1909 to HW Garratt's patent, the first of over 1,000 Garratt-type articulated locomotives exported from Manchester to all corner of the world. They gave reliable service in some of the most remote places on Earth.
Ffestiniog Railway, Harbour Station, Porthmadog, United Kingdom
The English Electric Lightning The first and only all-British fully supersonic fighter aircraft type. In frontline service with the RAF 1960-1988, a record for a fighter jet.
BAE Systems, Warton Aerodrome, Preston, United Kingdom
Perkins Wolf Engine Perkins Wolf. Designer CW Chapman. The first high-speed diesel engine. The Wolf with its patented Perkins Aeroflow combustion system could run at 3,000rpm and was available for light truck and passenger car conversions from 1933. The success of Perkins Engines was founded upon this engine.
Perkins Heritage Centre, Perkins Engines, Frank Perkins Way, Peterborough, United Kingdom
Class A1 Steam Locomotive (Tornado: 60163) Tornado - A1 Pacific Locomotive. Designer: A H Peppercorn. Completed in 2008 using a blend of traditional and modern engineering skills, Tornado is the first mainline steam locomotive to be built in this country since 1960. The A1 Pacifics were the last LNER express passenger design, able to run 118,000 miles between repairs. None were preserved at the end of steam.
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Old Bess Engine. Power for the Industrial Revolution. In recognition of James Watt's improvements to the steam engine. 'Old Bess' was built by Boulton and Watt in 1777 and used to power their Soho Manufactory until 1848. this engine was the precursor of much of the power-generating plant on show in the Museum and is the oldest surviving of Watt's engines.
Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7, London, United Kingdom
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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight The Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires of this Flight are a tribute to the airmen who lost their lives in the service of this country and an inspiration to all.
RAF Coningsby, Coningsby, United Kingdom
Kempton Great Engines Designed by the Metropolitan Water Board under the direction of Henry Stilgoe. these two triple expansion engines were manufactured by Worthington-Simpson at Newark-on-Trent and commissioned in 1928. They provided clean water to the people of London for 50 years. Engine No. 6 (known as The Sir William Prescott) is the largest working steam engine in the world.
Kempton Park Water Treatment Works, Snakey Lane, Hanworth TW13, London, United Kingdom
The Pocket Power Station Powered by the Bristol Siddeley Proteus engine and conceived by A N Irens, this 3MW unit was commissioned in 1959. It pioneered the concept of unmanned power stations and the use of lightweight gas turbines for power generation. This is the only operational set on public display in the world.
Internal Fire Museum of Power, Castell Pridd, Tanygroes, United Kingdom
Sir Harry Ricardo's first engine This four-stroke stratified charge engine, designed by Sir Harry at the age of 17, was built in 1903 and used for pumping water at his family home. Its success encouraged Sir Harry to a lifetime of engine design and development. President of IMechE in 1944, his thoughts and inventions still contribute to the success of Ricardo today.
Ricardo Visitors Centre, Shoreham Technical Centre, Shoreham-by-sea, United Kingdom
The Bluebell Railway The first preserved standard-gauge passenger railway in Great Britain, running its first train in August 1960. The Bluebell Railway has impressive workshop facilities and is committed to preserving and developing the rolling stock, infrastructure, skills and atmosphere of a working steam railway.
Sheffield Park Station, Sheffield Park, United Kingdom
'Peace' Powering the last Steam Driven Weaving Mill in the World. This Horizontal Tandem Compound Condensing engine was built by W Roberts and Sons of Nelson in 1894 and powered the mill until the Queen Street Manufacturing Company closed down in 1982. Now Peace is preserved and can be seen working in her original location.
Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, Queen Street, Harle Syke, Burnley, United Kingdom
HMS Belfast Launched in 1938 at Harland & Wolff, the only surviving major Royal Navy warship from WWII. Four 20,000 hp steam turbines, a speed of 32 knots, 12 6-inch guns and displacing 11,500 tons; HMS Belfast's success in battle is a tribute to her sound design and the skill and courage of her crew.
Morgans Lane, Tooley St, SE1, London, United Kingdom