The Men Who Invented Britain Book
An illustrated introduction to great British engineers
The book is a collection of inter-linked essays, each dealing with a significant figure in the emergence of Britain as an industrial powerhouse in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. It is illustrated with drawings, patents, early historic images and John Hannavy’s acclaimed original contemporary photography of the machines and buildings which were key components in that history.
The engineers are explored chronologically with links backwards and forwards to show who and what influenced them, and their influences on those who followed them. Many of them worked towards the same outcomes – either together, in parallel, or sequentially – and all left their marks on today’s Britain.
Walking in the footsteps of Samuel Smiles – who 'invented' and popularised the industrial biography – this profusely illustrated book covers around 250 years, from James Brindley's early canal-building through John Smeaton's Eddystone Lighthouse, James Watt's steam engines, James Nasmyth's steam hammer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's iron ships and Henry Bessemer's steel-making to William Arrol's bridges – taking in William Fairbairn, William Murdoch, Thomas Telford, William Jessop, John Rennie, John Scott Russell, The Lighthouse Stevensons, the Railway Stephensons, William Armstrong and others along the way.
This highly illustrated book provides an accessible account of many of the key players in this most fascinating era in Britain’s industrial development.
- 214 pages
- By John Hannavy
Choose options
Delivery Information and Collection Details
Christmas 2025
To receive your gifts before Christmas, we recommend that orders should be placed by the following dates.
UK
Thursday 18 December
International
DHL - Monday 15 December
Standard Post - Friday 21 November
Delivery
Royal Mail Tracked delivery to most mainland UK addresses. This service includes email notifications and GPS location upon delivery. (Excludes made-to-order items which are despatched directly from the supplier).
Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2-3 business days from despatch)
Orders £49.99 and under - £3.95
Orders £50 and over* - FREE
*Total payable after any discounts.
Customs Information:
Our shop is based in the UK. All non-UK orders will be subject to their destination country’s VAT/sales tax, customs and import duties upon delivery. This is an additional cost which is not part of our checkout process and it is the responsibility of the recipient to pay when delivery occurs. Please contact the local customs authorities for guidance on applicable rates and fees.
Delivery Cost:
Rates are based on order weight and country. For the most accurate cost, please use the shipping calculator on the shopping basket page or proceed through checkout.
Delivery Time:
Tracked delivery via Royal Mail to most international addresses within approximately 7-17 working days from point of despatch. Please note that delivery times may be affected by the customs process which is beyond our control.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
(Shipping to Russia and Belarus has been suspended.)
Due to production times for personalised and made-to-order items, delivery may take a little longer. As the fulfilment of these items are handled by the supplier, please understand that this is beyond our control.
If you require the items urgently, please contact us prior to ordering and we will try our best to provide a delivery estimate.
Collection
Customers will be emailed when their order is ready for collection.
Orders are usually prepared within 24 hours during the working week (Monday through Friday). If an order is placed over a weekend, then please allow until the Monday.
Orders can be collected from:
Tower Bridge,
Engine Rooms & Gift Shop,
London, SE1 2UP
Collection Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 - Daily.
(Gift shop entrance is located on the south side of the river and underneath Tower Bridge).