List of Welsh inventors

{{Hatnote|See also: List of Welsh innovations and discoveries}}

{{Short description|None}}

This is a list of people of Welsh origin who are recognised as innovators or inventors who have made notable contributions to technical or theoretical world advancements.

• Edward George Bowen pioneer of radar. Worked at 'Woomera Rocket Testing Base' in Australia. Born in Gendros, Swansea.[https://www.jstor.org/pss/769995 Edward George Bowen] JSTOR
• David Brunt pioneer of modern meteorology. Head of Meteorological Office, secretary of Royal Society From Penfforddlas, Wales.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/scifiles/interviewsub/flashbackbrunt.shtml Sir David the Weather] BBC.co.uk
• Martha Hughes Cannon pioneer in women and children's medicine. The State of Utah's Health Department is named in her honour. Born in Llandudno, Wales.[http://theautry.org/explore/exhibits/suffrage/cannon_full.html Doctor Martha Hughes Cannon (1857-1932), Utah suffragist, State Senator, and physician] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120715005107/http://theautry.org/explore/exhibits/suffrage/cannon_full.html |date=2012-07-15 }} Women of the West Museum
• Archie Cochrane Founder of Cochrane Collaboration, Cochrane library, Cochrane reviews. UK Cochrane Centre in Oxford. Conducted much of his groundbreaking medical research in Wales.{{cite web| url=http://www.brookes.ac.uk/schools/lifesci/medical/synopses/cochrane.html| archive-url=https://archive.today/20070529132728/http://www.brookes.ac.uk/schools/lifesci/medical/synopses/cochrane.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=29 May 2007| title=Professor Archie Cochrane CBE| publisher=Oxford Brookes University Medical Video Archive| access-date=14 July 2010}}
• Alan Cox is a programmer heavily involved in the development of the Linux kernel since 1991.{{cite news |title=Linux pioneer wins lifetime achievement award |author=Matt Loney |date=2005-10-06 |url=http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39226539,00.htm |publisher=ZDNet UK}}
• Sir Clifford Darby, geographer and leader in promoting the relationships between geography and other subjects. Knighted in 1988. Born in Neath, South Wales.Davies, John (2008) pg. 194
• Donald Davies Proposed and developed packet switching, an important technology of the Internet. Born in Treorchy, Rhondda, Wales.{{citation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/jun/02/guardianobituaries2|title=Obituary|work=The Guardian|date=2 June 2000}}
• Walter Davies (inventor), along with his brother Thomas, invented the 'Stepney Spare Wheel' used on almost all early motor cars. Born in Llanelli, South Wales[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/halloffame/innovators/walterdavies.shtml Walter Davies] BBC - South West Wales
• John Dee Founder of the new school of English mathematical scientists in the 16th century. One of the greatest polymaths of all time. Born in Buallt, Radnor.{{Cite DWB |id=s-DEE0-JOH-1527 |title=DEE, JOHN (1527 - 1608), mathematician and astronomer |first1=John James |last1=Jones |first2=Llewelyn Gwyn |last2=Chambers |year=1959 |fewer-links=yes}}
• Bill Frost Welsh carpenter who patented the aeroplane in 1894 and took to the skies in a powered flying machine the following year, eight years before the Wright brothers attempt at Kitty Hawk. Born in Tenby.[http://activity-holidays.visitwales.co.uk/15/yanks-steal-man-fly-welsh/ First man to fly was Welsh] Visit Wales 2010
• William Robert Grove Invented the fuel cell. Born in Swansea, 1811.{{acad|id=GRV879WR|name=Grove, William Robert}}
• John T. Houghton Distinguished meteorologist. Inspiration behind major international conferences on global warming (Rio, Kyoto, Buenos Aires). Born in Wales. {{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}
• David E. Hughes First transmission of radio waves. Inventor of the microphone and printing telegraph system. A musician and philosopher. Born Corwen, Wales.{{cite web|url=http://www.100welshheroes.com/en/biography/davidedwardhughes|title=88. David Edward Hughes|last=Anon|work=100 Welsh Heroes|publisher=Culturenet Cymru|access-date=June 30, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514072029/http://www.100welshheroes.com/en/biography/davidedwardhughes|archive-date=May 14, 2009}}
• John Gwyn Jeffreys conchologist (someone who studies shells). He helped pioneer deep-sea dredging. He corresponded with Charles Darwin and was involved with a number of scientific associations. Born into a long-established Welsh family.{{Cite DWB |id=s-JEFF-GWY-1809 |title=JEFFREYS, JOHN GWYN (1809 - 1885), conchologist |first= Robert Thomas |last=Jenkins |authorlink= Robert Thomas Jenkins |year=1959 |fewer-links=yes}}
• Ernest Jones Introduced psychoanalysis into Britain and North America. Born in Llwchwy, South Wales.Davies, John (2008) pg. 422
• Samuel Milton Jones Inventor, writer and Mayor of Toledo, Ohio, USA. Born in Caernarfonshire.[http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=218 Samuel M. Jones] at Ohio History Central online encyclopedia
• Steve Jones Professor of genetics at the Galton Laboratory and University College, London. Born in Wales. {{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}
• William Jones A noted mathematician, published author and early naval navigator. First to use 'Pi' (1706) as a mathematical symbol. Born in Llanfihangel Tre'r Beirdd.Davies, John (2008) pg. 434
• Brian Josephson Nobel Prize–winning physicist; gave his name to the superconducting Josephson junction. Born Cardiff.{{cite web|title=Brian D. Josephson – Curriculum Vitae |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1973/josephson-cv.html |publisher=The Nobel Foundation |access-date=2009-06-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120193537/http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1973/josephson-cv.html |archive-date=2009-01-20 }}
• Bernard Knight Forensic pathologist, barrister and writer. Creator of the 'Crowner John' series, historic crime fiction. As a forensic pathologist, worked on the infamous Fred West case, recovering all twelve bodies. Born and spent most of his life in Cardiff. {{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}
• Francis Lewis Signatory of the US 'Declaration of Independence' as one of the representatives from New York. Born in Llandaff.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070824150243/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/declaration/bio27.htm Francis Lewis] National Park Services
• Sir Thomas Lewis Born in Taffs Well,{{cite journal

|title=Obituary|journal=British Medical Journal|date=March 31, 1945|volume=461|issue=British Medical Journal|pages=1|url=http://www.bmj.com/content/1/4395/461|access-date=17 June 2015}}{{Cite DWB|id=s2-LEWI-THO-1881 |access-date=17 June 2015 |title=LEWIS, Sir THOMAS (1881 - 1945), physician |first=Owen Elias |last=Roberts |year=2001 |fewer-links=yes}}{{cite book

|last1=Hollman|first1=Arthur|title=Sir Thomas Lewis : pioneer cardiologist and clinical scientist|date=1997|publisher=Springer|location=London|isbn=978-3540760498}} (26 December 1881 – 17 March 1945) was a British cardiologist (although he personally disliked the term, preferring cardiovascular disease specialist).{{Cite journal

| last1 = Cygankiewicz | first1 = I.

| title = Sir Thomas Lewis (1881-1945)

| journal = Cardiology Journal

| volume = 14

| issue = 6

| pages = 605–606

| year = 2007

| pmid = 18651531

| title-link = Thomas Lewis (cardiologist)

}}{{Cite journal

| last1 = Pearce | first1 = J. M. S.

| title = Sir Thomas Lewis MD, FRS. (1881–1945)

| doi = 10.1007/s00415-006-0166-3

| journal = Journal of Neurology

| volume = 253

| issue = 9

| pages = 1246–1247

| year = 2006

| pmid = 16990996

| title-link = Thomas Lewis (cardiologist)

| s2cid = 33093678

}}{{Cite journal

| last1 = Haas | first1 = L. F.

| title = Sir Thomas Lewis 1881-1945

| doi = 10.1136/jnnp.2004.055269

| journal = Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

| volume = 76

| issue = 8

| page = 1157

| year = 2005

| pmid = 16024897

| pmc =1739765

}}{{Cite journal

| last1 = Krikler | first1 = D. M.

| title = Thomas Lewis, a father of modern cardiology

| journal = Heart

| volume = 77

| issue = 2

| pages = 102–103

| year = 1997

| pmid = 9068389

| pmc = 484655

| doi=10.1136/hrt.77.2.102

}}{{cite book |author=Hollman, Arthur |title=Sir Thomas Lewis: Pioneer Cardiologist and Clinical Scientist |publisher=Springer-Verlag TELOS |location=Santa Clara, CA |year=1997 |isbn=978-3-540-76049-8

|author-link=Arthur Hollman }}{{Cite journal

| last1 = Hollman | first1 = A.

| title = Sir Thomas Lewis: Clinical scientist and cardiologist, 1881-1945

| journal = Journal of Medical Biography

| volume = 2

| issue = 2

| pages = 63–70

| year = 1994

| pmid = 11639239

| title-link = Thomas Lewis (cardiologist)

| doi = 10.1177/096777209400200201

| s2cid = 22520472

}} He coined the term "clinical science".Biography, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

• Edward Lhuyd Fellow of Jesus College Oxford. Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum and the foremost Celtic scholar of his time. Born Oswestry, 1660.{{Cite DWB |id=s-LHUY-EDW-1660 |title=LHUYD, EDWARD (1660 - 1709), botanist, geologist, antiquary, and philologist |first=Thomas |last=Jones |date=1959}}
• Ronald M Lockley Famous naturalist and author. Best known for his life on Skokholm Island off Pembrokeshire 1927-1940 and at Orielton in the 1950s to early 1960s. Born in Cardiff.Davies, John (2008) pg. 520
• Terry Matthews 'Mitel' and 'Newbridge' Networks founder.[http://www.100welshheroes.com/en/biography/terrymatthews 100 Welsh Heroes]
• William Morgan Inventor of the vacuum tube, Coolidge tube, Britain's first actuary, founding father of modern actuarial science. The unknowing discoverer of x-rays, a hundred and ten years before Roentgen. Born in Bridgend, 1750, died 1833.{{cite DWB |id=s12-MORG-WIL-1750 |title=MORGAN, WILLIAM (1750 - 1833), actuary and scientist |first=Nicola |last=Bennetts |date=10 April 2019 |fewer-links=yes}}
• William Henry Preece was an electrical engineer who was a major figure in the development and introduction of wireless telegraphy and the telephone in Great Britain. Born Feb 15 1834 in Bryn Helen.[http://www.100welshheroes.com/en/biography/williamhenrypreece 73. Sir William Henry Preece], Groundbreakers . Culturenet Cymru, 2004.
• Richard Price Developer of the times tables for insurance scales. Born at Tynton Farm Llangeinor, South WalesDavies, John (2008) pg. 708
• William Price re-introduced cremation to Britain. Born Llantrisant, South Wales{{cite web |url=http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/cgi-bin/anw/fulldesc_nofr?inst_id=1&coll_id=669&expand= |title=Price, William, Dr, (Llantrisant), papers |access-date=2006-09-27 |date=May 2003 |publisher=Archives Network Wales}}
• Pryce Pryce-Jones Gave mail-order (catalogue) shopping to the world. (circa 1859) Born/lived in Newtown, Montgomeryshire (Powys).[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/halloffame/innovators/pryce_jones.shtml Pryce Pryce-Jones, Newtown businessman who introduced mail order shopping to the world] BBC.co.uk
• Robert Recorde Very influential physician and mathematician. Robert published some of the most important books of his era including the first English language book on algebra which incidentally is where the equals symbol is first seen in use. From Tenby, West Wales.[http://www.100welshheroes.com/en/biography/robertrecorde 100 Welsh Heroes - Robert Recorde] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040418210411/http://www.100welshheroes.com/en/biography/robertrecorde |date=2004-04-18 }}
• Isaac Roberts Pioneered deep space photography at the end of the 19th century. Born in Groes near Denbigh in 1829.[http://www.jonesbryn.plus.com/wastronhist/people/isaacroberts/p_iroberts.html Isaac Roberts (1829-1904), biographical information by Bryn Jones]
• Richard Roberts (engineer) Textile machinery, railway locomotives and other industrial inventions. Born Llanymynech, 1789.{{Cite DWB |id=s-ROBE-RIC-1789 |title=ROBERTS, RICHARD (1789 - 1864), inventor |first= Robert Thomas |last=Jenkins |authorlink= Robert Thomas Jenkins |year=1959 |fewer-links=yes}}
• Bertrand Russell Philosopher, mathematician and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. Russell is one of the most highly regarded academics of the 20th century. He popularized mathematics and proposed many ground breaking theories. Born in Trelleck, Monmouthshire, South Wales.{{cite web|title=Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)|publisher=Farlex, Inc.|url=http://russell.thefreelibrary.com/|access-date=11 December 2007}}
• David Thomas in 1837 invented a hot blast furnace process to make iron using anthracite coal in Ystradfera (Swansea Valley). transforming the iron-making process there and later in 1839 after re-locating to Pennsylvania where he became the "father" of the American steel industry with his invention.{{Cite DWB |id=s-THOM-DAV-1794 |title=THOMAS, DAVID (1794 - 1882), pioneer of the iron industry in U.S.A. |first=Robert (Bob) |last=Owen |year=1959 |fewer-links=yes}}
• Sir Tudor Thomas Eye surgeon from Swansea. He pioneered ophthalmic corneaplasty in the 1930s. Born in Ystradgynlais 23 May 1893.Davies, John (2008) pg. 868
• Philip Vaughan Ironmaster who, in Carmarthen in 1794, patented the first design for a ball bearing.Carlisle, R. P. Scientific American Inventions and Discoveries: All the Milestones in Ingenuity, John Wiley & Sons, 2004. {{ISBN|0-471-24410-4}}
• Alfred Russel Wallace Conferred with Darwin (and Darwin with him) regarding evolution of species and acknowledged as theory co-founder by Darwin in his 'On the Origin of Species'. Born Llanbadoc, near Usk, Monmouthshire.[http://www.100welshheroes.com/en/biography/alfredrussellwallace Wallace at 100 Welsh Heroes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124191414/http://www.100welshheroes.com/en/biography/alfredrussellwallace |date=2010-01-24 }}{{cite web|title=Remote island celebrates pioneer |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7847060.stm |date=26 January 2009 |access-date=19 February 2011|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News website}}
• Evan Williams Physicist, discoverer of the meson sub-atomic particles. Born Cwmsychpant, Llandysul, Wales.Davies, John (2008) pg. 953
• Ernest Willows pioneering aviator. 'The Father of British Airships' Born in Cardiff, 1896.Davies, John (2008) pg. 965
• Winston M Thomas Celtic Engineering Inc. Texas telecommunications. (Inventor) vehicle fuel locking device. Born Llanelli