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An introduction to some significant inventions from the Victorian era. Adam Hart-Davis explains how the discovery that a bitter tree bark could protect against malaria lead to the invention of ‘gin and tonic’ (the drink was designed to disguise the bitter taste). The use of iron significantly helped the Victorians build railways and steam engines at a rapid pace. In 1837 Isambard Kingdom Brunel built the SS Great Britain, connecting the UK with America. However, Adam demonstrates how these iron ships caused problems for the navigational compasses and explains how Lord Kelvin’s invention, the binnacle, worked to overcome these. We see a ‘tempest prognosticator’ (leech barometer) which the Victorians tried to use to predict the weather. With the increasing need for international trade, we are shown original telegraph cables which linked together across the globe.

The students could attempt to build a Binnacle compass with the help of the teacher, then test it inside an iron container. A good guide to creating your own Binnacle can be found in the links section.