Inventors from United Kingdom

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary British Inventors of all time. This list of famous British Inventors is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of British Inventors.

1. #1

   

   James Watt

   1736 - 1819

   HPI 88.47143 langs

   James watt is most famous for inventing the steam engine.

2. #2

   

   Alexander Graham Bell

   1847 - 1922

   HPI 85.31128 langs

   Alexander Graham Bell is most famous for inventing the telephone.

3. #3

   

   Charles Babbage

   1791 - 1871

   HPI 81.5998 langs

   Charles Babbage is most famous for his invention of the first programmable computer, the Difference Engine.

4. #4

   

   George Stephenson

   1781 - 1848

   HPI 77.0370 langs

   George Stephenson is most famous for inventing the first practical steam locomotive.

5. #5

   

   John Logie Baird

   1888 - 1946

   HPI 75.4476 langs

   John Logie Baird is most famous for inventing the television.

6. #6

   

   Thomas Newcomen

   1663 - 1729

   HPI 75.3155 langs

   Thomas Newcomen is most famous for inventing the first practical steam engine in 1712.

7. #7

   

   John Herschel

   1792 - 1871

   HPI 74.8075 langs

   John Herschel is most famous for his work in the field of astronomy. He was the son of Sir William Herschel, a famous astronomer, and he...Read moreShow less

   John Herschel is most famous for his work in the field of astronomy. He was the son of Sir William Herschel, a famous astronomer, and he continued his father's work.

8. #8

   

   Frank Whittle

   1907 - 1996

   HPI 74.3241 langs

   Frank Whittle is most famous for inventing the jet engine.

9. #9

   

   Richard Trevithick

   1771 - 1833

   HPI 72.4054 langs

   Richard Trevithick is most famous for inventing the first steam-powered locomotive, which was the first machine to move on rails.

10. #10

    

    John Boyd Dunlop

    1840 - 1921

    HPI 71.6850 langs

    John Boyd Dunlop was a Scottish veterinarian and inventor. He is most famous for inventing the first practical pneumatic tire in 1888.