7 Leeds inventions that might surprise you Leeds has had a big impact on the world, particularly when it comes to inventions. Several well-known devices and products […]

Leeds has had a big impact on the world, particularly when it comes to inventions.

Several well-known devices and products were first made in Leeds, or created by Leeds natives.

Here are seven of the most surprising things that the city gave the world.

The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

The Blackburn Type D

Sometimes known as the Single Seat Monoplane, this is the oldest flying aeroplane in the UK.

The Type D was made in 1912 by Robert Blackburn, who built the plane for Cyril Foggin.

The Wright Brothers had completed their famous flight just a decade before, so the fact that this plane still survives is pretty impressive.

The plane was restored shortly after World War II, and is now part of the Shuttleworth collection.

Cluedo

The creators of beloved family board game, Cluedo, were based in Leeds at the time of its invention.

In 1947, Waddington’s granted Anthony E Pratt his patent for the mystery game, which was originally called ‘Murder!’.

The name ‘Cluedo’ is a play on the words ‘clue’ and ‘ludo’ – the Latin word for ‘I play’.

Although the patent for the game was granted in 1947, the game wasn’t launched until 1949, due to post-war shortages.

The Harrington Commode

The most expensive piece of furniture ever sold in the UK was made in Leeds, around 1770.

Thomas Chippendale created the beautiful Harrington Commode, which was sold 240 years later for £3.8 million at Sotheby’s in London.

This price was more than three times the original estimate.

The Marquetry Commode (shown above) was also made by Chippendale, and is housed in the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Other Chippendale pieces are displayed in museums all over the world.

Sooty and Sweep

Harry Corbett (a Guiseley native) devised the beloved children’s TV puppets, Sooty and Sweep.

Sooty was bought by Corbett for his son, Michael, in 1948 from a Blackpool stall. The puppet then inspired the show.

Sooty’s name derives from the soot which Corbett used to make the puppet’s ears and nose black. This was done to ensure that the puppet would stand out on black and white television.

Sooty is now the longest-running children’s programme in the UK, having aired in various forms since 1952.

The mouse trap

Although the first lethal mouse trap was invented a few years earlier, the most successful design was invented in Leeds.

The patent for James Henry Atkinson’s Little Nipper mouse trap was bought by Procter in 1913, and the company still makes them to this day.

The Little Nipper has captured 60 per cent of the UK mouse trap market alone, as well as an equal share of the international market.

Procter even has its own mousetrap museum at the company headquarters, featuring 150 exhibits.

Motion pictures

When you think of movies, Leeds may not spring to mind, but in fact it was where the first motion pictures were filmed in the 19th century.

Louis Le Prince (born in Metz, France) came to Leeds to work for an engineering company. He developed his own movie camera, which used a single roll of film, moving from one spool to another through a shutter.

The first motion pictures were filmed at Oakwood Grange and on Leeds Bridge in 1888.

Jelly tots

Jelly Tots were invented by accident. Brian Boffey – originally from Hosforth – made the sweets when trying to create powdered jelly.

Boffey was working for Rowntree’s at the time, and launched his creation in 1965.

In 1974, the advertising jingle for Jelly Tots and its companion brands was: “More to choose from along the shelf, Rowntrees Tots – please yourself.”

Now the companion brands have been discontinued, but Jelly Tots are still being made to this day.