Forget television, jet engine and the lightbulb. Bizarre it may appear, but the greatest British inventions have been named as the toilet roll, fish finger, custard creams, and the aeroplane ejector seat.
All Members of British Parliament were asked to nominate the best example of design from their constituency for an online Great Exhibition. Instead of historic triumphs of engineering, politicians singled out everyday items.
“They're a British classic,” said John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, who put forward Custard Creams.
“I'm proud of the fish fingers made by local company Young's,” said Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell, suggested fish fingers.
Guy Opperman, MP for Wrexham, North Wales, named SCA -- which supplies one in five of UK loo rolls.
“Local people literally queue to join the firm,” he said.
“Their inventions have saved over 7,350 lives,” said Attorney General Dominic Grieve, MP for Beaconsfield, who nominated the Martin-Baker aeroplane ejector seat.
The campaign -- fronted by Business Secretary Vince Cable -- will trumpet Britain's manufacturing genius and marks the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year, the 'News of the World' tabloid reported.
“We export our goods to every corner of the world,” said Dr. Cable.
“I hope this dispels the myth Britain doesn't make anything any more,” said Chris White MP, chairman of Associate Parliamentary Manufacturing Group, which is running the campaign.
