Half of Britons do not know that the worldwide web was a British invention, a study has found.
Over half (51 per cent) of Britons also were not aware that Sir Frank Whittle from Coventry made the very first jet engine having patented the invention in 1928.
The research of 2,000 UK adults was commissioned by the Royal Academy of Engineering which awards the MacRobert Award for engineering innovation.
Dr Dame Sue Ion DBE, chair of the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award Judging Panel, said: “For the last 50 years the award has celebrated ground-breaking engineering innovations that have established the UK as a global leader.
“Leading the judges for the MacRobert Award over the past five years I have been privileged to see at first hand the engineering behind products that are changing our lives for the better.
“The incredible work being undertaken around the country right now will help to generate jobs and growth in the future.”
The study also found only a third of those polled had heard of London’s Ada Lovelace, the inventor of the computer algorithm.
However despite the gaps in knowledge, six in 10 of Britons said they were in no doubt the UK will make the next technological breakthrough.
Dr Dame Sue Ion DBE added: “The UK has a rich engineering heritage and this poll suggests that people want to hear more about modern engineering developments.
“It is very encouraging to see that the public is positive about what the future holds for UK engineering and its importance to our economy.
“Celebrating current engineering excellence is crucial if the sector is to receive the support it needs and to inspire the next generation of engineers.”
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