Most inventions are the product of months or even years of research and hard work. However throughout history there have also been a number of instances in which some of the greatest inventions ever made were discovered by accident, showcasing that sometimes genius is not always planned, and can in fact be the result of… Continue Reading …

Harry Brearley – You may not know the name, but you’re certain to have heard of his invention. Like so many important and creative engineers and inventors, often the creation is better remembered than the creator. Here at Airedale Springs we’re always seeking to laud the greatest minds in engineering and invention. So when we… Continue Reading …

The acclaimed engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel was one of the most versatile and daring engineers of the 19th century. His career saw him responsible for the design of numerous great feats of engineering and his many achievements still form an important part of our everyday lives. Born in 1806 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, Brunel was the… Continue Reading …

In one of our recent blogs we took a look at some great ways to get children interested in science and engineering, in which we mentioned how museums can be a great way to inspire people to take an interest in these fascinating fields. So here we take a quick look at some of the… Continue Reading …

The UK Space Agency recently released its biennial report on The Size and Health of the UK Space Industry (PDF), revealing strong continued growth in the sector. Many people do not realise it, but the UK’s space industry currently employs 34,000 people, supports a further 65,000 jobs in other sectors such as manufacturing and engineering,… Continue Reading …

One of the greatest feats in the history of British engineering is undoubtedly the iconic Iron Bridge. It’s one of Britain’s best known industrial monuments, and a world heritage site. Located in the county of Shropshire, The Iron Bridge crosses the river Severn and was the first arch bridge in the world to be constructed… Continue Reading …

According to recent reports there is growing evidence of a shortage of skills, particularly in industries such as science, technology and engineering and the government is desperate to get more young people interested in scientific subjects. Consequently the government and schools are bringing in a number of new initiatives to help increase interest among younger… Continue Reading …

Most people probably think of robotics as a very modern area of engineering. However, it has a surprisingly long history, going all the way back to the year 400 BC! Less surprisingly, this feat was achieved by one of the great philosopher-scientists of the Ancient Greeks, a man called Archytas who was a good friend… Continue Reading …

For many years nature has been providing solutions to some of our greatest problems, and has provided inspiration for some of the greatest feats of engineering known to man.  The study of how nature can inspire engineering is often also referred to as biomimicry or biologically inspired engineering. Interestingly the influence of nature on engineering… Continue Reading …