Invention Collection

Heath Robinson automated Dining Room without servants 1 of 4
Heath Robinson Does Away with Servants - Patent Applied for by " The Sketch" in the Dining-Room. A family at their dining table, which is a typically Heath Robinson design

Pea Apparatus by William Heath Robinson
An interesting and elegant apparatus designed to overcome once for all the difficulties of conveying green peas to the mouth

What every golfer wants by William Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evans Date: 1921

Gutenbergs printing press, 1450s
Gutenberg and Fust with the first printing press, Germany, 1450s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Ultra-Marine by William Heath Robinson
One of Margates new " Neversink" pleasure boats for keeping an even keel inthe roughest seas. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger

A Decided Catch by William Heath Robinson
The Whitebait cycle, an ingenious contraption necessitated by the exorbitant charges for hire of boats at the seaside this season

Bound to Draw by William Heath Robinson
Another well-thought-out experiment in dentistry from Heath Robinson, the Gadget King and mastermind behind endless convoluted contraptions and silly ideas. Date: 1927

First Ferris wheel, Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893
Ferris wheel -250 feet in diameter, 36 cars - at the Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Rejected by the inventions board

A Swimming Stroke of Genius
A simple device by which a cross channel swim may be rendered both easy and pleasant- not to mention luxurious. Please note

Acme Moustache Guard
The Acme Moustache Guard. Solid comfort while eating. No use for napkins - does not interfere with use of mouth. Made of gold or silver plate. Everyone should have one!

DOLLY TUB
A laundry worker using a dolly stock and tub to clean clothes, prior to the invention of the washing machine

Schematic view of George Stephensons locomotive The Rocket of 1829
STEPHENSONs ROCKET, 1829. Schematic view of George Stephensons locomotive " The Rocket" of 1829

Crewe Station started service on 4 July 1837 with the opening of the Grand Junction Railway. The purpose of this railway was to link the four largest cities of England by joining the existing

Crewe Station started service on 4 July 1837 with the opening of the Grand Junction Railway. The purpose of this railway was to link the four largest cities of England by joining the existing

A cunning stroke by William Heath Robinson
A clever but unsportsmanlike contrivance to increase buoyance and prevent fatigue among Channel swimmers. A useful inflatable idea to help long-distance swimmers by the gadget king

Use of an arquebusse, 16th century
Spanish arquebusier, 1500s. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of an earlier illustration

The Subzeppmarinellin by Heath Robinson, WW1 cartoon
The subzeppmarinellin for making sure of your enemy. All bases covered with this combined submarine and zeppelin from the imagination of William Heath Robinson during the First World War. Date: c.1916

Bolts of electricity discharging in the lab of Nikola Tesla
Inventor and scientist Nikola Tesla in his lab while his magnifying transmitter high voltage generator produces bolts of electricity. December 1899

Schematic view of the Stourbridge Lion, the first commercial locomotive in North America
THE STOURBRIDGE LION, 1829. Schematic view of the Stourbridge Lion, the first commercial locomotive in North America, imported from England by the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company in 1829 for use in

Rejected by the inventions board
" Rejected by the inventions board. VII -The Gallipoli Shell-Diverter for returning the Enemys Fire" There were other theatres of war besides he Western Front

Ending in Smoke by Heath Robinson
An ingenious smoke screen spreader for preventing embarrassing situations when the bathroom lock is out of order. Hilarious invention by the inimitable Heath Robinson allowing complete discretion for

Bridgewater Canal Map
Map showing the route of the proposed canal from Worsley to Manchester and thence to the Mersey, to be built by engineer James Brindley for the duke of Bridgewater

Invention of the Cube Car. This box-like car, designed by French-Vietnamese designer and engineer Quasar Kahn, was produced in limited numbers between 1967

SINGER SEWING MACHINE. Description of Isaac M. Singers sewing machine on the front page of the " Scientific American", 1 November 1851

Spectroscope (c. 1860) by Bunsen and Kirchhoff, published in 1880
Spectroscope by Robert Bunsen (German chemist, 1811 - 1899) and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (German physicist, 1824 - 1884). A spectroscope is an optical device

Victorian inventions in The Engineer
A page of patented engineering and industrial inventions from The Engineer magazine, 1856. Date: 1856

Testing a new type of steering gear / W Heath Robinson
Illustration by William Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library

HMS Habbakuk in section
Illustration showing a cross section of the top secret design for HMS Habbakuk a giant aircraft-carrier built of ice and wood pulp, which was proposed as a secret weapon in the Second World War

Gutenbergs printing press
Gutenberg inspects the first sheet of his Bible, which has just come off the press

Marconi and his wireless telegraph apparatus, 1899-1900 (silver gelatin print)
MNY381513 Marconi and his wireless telegraph apparatus, 1899-1900 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942); 20.3x25.4 cm; Museum of the City of New York

Futuristic long distance airship
A futuristic long distance airship held aloft by two long balloons, flying across the sea

Eyeglasses for chickens patent, 1903 C024 / 3600
Eyeglasses for chickens patent, 1903. Artwork of a device designed by Andrew Jackson Jr. to protect the eyes of chickens from aggressive pecking by other chickens

Double bicycle patent, 1905 C024 / 3615
Double bicycle patent, 1905. Artwork of a double bicycle patent invented by Karl Lange. It was designed to perform a loop the loop stunts at circus performances

Automaton at the Schoolboys Own Exhibition, 1929
A physiological robot at the Schoolboys Own Exhibition in London, 1929. Designed to show how organs of the body work, here three young visitors take great interest in its insides. Date: 1929

Robidas rotating house
Maison tournante arienee or aerial rotating house, one of Albert Robidas futuristic visions of life in the 20th century

Bedroom boat-race practice
An enthusiastic " Blue" leaves nothing to chance and recreates rowing conditions with the help of three tin baths, some wheels and a pair of oars in his bedroom

Sir Francis Ronalds
Portrait of English inventor, Sir Francis Ronalds (1788-1873), inventor of the electric telegraph in 1816. He fitted his garden in Hammersmith with an electric telegraph but was refused when he

Hat Wireless 1930S
A man tunes into his hat radio!

George Stephensons locomotive, the Rocket, which won a prize given by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company

LIGHTNING ROD UMBRELLA. Line engraving, French, 1873

First sewing machine, 1846
Elias Howes sewing machine, 1846. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

First Atlantic crossing by steamship, 1819
American paddlewheeler " Savannah, " the first steamship to cross the Atlantic, 1819. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

The Invention of the Art of Drawing (oil on canvas)
490133 The Invention of the Art of Drawing (oil on canvas) by Suvee, Joseph Benoit (1743-1807); 267x131.5 cm; Groeningemuseum, Bruges, Belgium; (add.info.: In this painting)

Richard Jordan Gatling (chromolitho)
2802537 Richard Jordan Gatling (chromolitho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Richard Jordan Gatling)

The Great Astronomer Schiaparelli at the Brera Observatory (colour litho)
2798364 The Great Astronomer Schiaparelli at the Brera Observatory (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Siebe and Harrisons patent ice-making machine, 1862. This machine was patented by James Harrison in Australia in 1859, and the design was then improved by Augustus Siebe & Co of London in 1861

Bailey Bridge and Rhine victory by G. H. Davis
The Bailey Bridge: the British weapon which hurdled Allied armies across the Rhine barrier during the Second World War. Some constructional details of a great engineering invention

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"Invention: A Journey Through Time and Imagination" Step into the whimsical world of William Heath Robinson, a mastermind artist who brought fantastical contraptions to life through his intricate illustrations. From his famous "Heath Robinson automated Dining Room without servants" to the peculiar "Pea Apparatus, " each creation is a testament to human ingenuity and creativity. Innovation knows no bounds, as showcased in Robinson's masterpiece, "Ultra-Marine. " This mind-boggling invention transports us underwater, revealing an enchanting realm where imagination reigns supreme. It reminds us that they are not limited by reality but can transcend it entirely. Travel back in time with the revolutionary Gutenberg printing press of the 1450s. This groundbreaking invention revolutionized communication forever, paving the way for knowledge dissemination on an unprecedented scale. The power of words became accessible to all—a true turning point in history. As we marvel at these extraordinary creations, let us not forget those that were met with skepticism or rejection. Like "Rejected by the inventions board, " which serves as a reminder that even geniuses face setbacks along their journey towards progress. Sometimes it takes persistence and unwavering belief for brilliance to be recognized. The first Ferris wheel at Chicago World's Fair in 1893 stands tall as a symbol of innovation and entertainment. Its towering structure offered breathtaking views while captivating hearts worldwide—an iconic invention that continues to inspire awe today. Transportation leaps forward with Crewe Station's grand opening on July 4th, 1837—the birthplace of railway travel excellence. This engineering feat connected people like never before, shrinking distances and fostering new opportunities across nations—a testament to mankind's ability to conquer vast landscapes through sheer determination. From ancient times comes the arquebusse—its use marking a pivotal moment in warfare technology during the 16th century.