5 Technologies Britain Invented That Many Americans Think They Did | US vs UK | Part 2

When people talk about modern technology, credit is often given to Silicon Valley or post-war America, but many of the systems that define the modern world were invented, pioneered, or made practical in Britain. In this video, I break down five modern technologies with British origins, the inventors behind them, and how their work quietly shaped everyday life across the globe. You’ll learn how Sir Frank Whittle developed the jet engine in the UK, fundamentally changing aviation forever. How Sir Robert Watson-Watt and British scientists created radar, a technology that transformed warfare, navigation, and modern air traffic control. How John Logie Baird pioneered television, laying the groundwork for modern broadcasting. Why John Shepherd-Barron invented the ATM in Britain, changing global banking and everyday access to money. And how Donald Davies developed packet switching in the UK, a foundational technology that directly enabled modern computer networks and the internet as we know it. This isn’t about nationalism or erasing international collaboration. Many of these technologies evolved across countries and decades. But British engineers, inventors, and scientists played foundational roles that are often overlooked or misattributed. I’m an American living in the UK, and this series exists to add context, timelines, and historical receipts, not internet arguments. If you enjoy technology history, engineering stories, or British vs American comparisons, you’re in the right place. ? Part 1 covered earlier inventions ? Part 2 (this video) focuses on modern technology ? Part 3 is coming next