Scotland is well-known for having been home to some of the most important inventions in the world, with the city of Glasgow having played a huge part in the country’s success.
Some of the inventions included on our list are pretty common knowledge whilst others may just take you by surprise.
From medical breakthroughs to delicious food, here are 12 of Glasgow’s greatest inventions.
From medical breakthroughs to delicious food, here are 12 of Glasgow’s greatest inventions.
![Although born in Uddingston, James Black established a Veterniary Psychology department at the University of Glasgow and is credited with inventing beta blockers which led to him winning the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1988.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/17/15/23/James%20Black.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Beta Blockers
Although born in Uddingston, James Black established a Veterniary Psychology department at the University of Glasgow and is credited with inventing beta blockers which led to him winning the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1988. | Contributed
![Where else in the world could claim to have invented waterproofs? Glasgow has its fair share of rain throughout the year and Chemist Charles Macintosh (not to be confused with our Rennie) is credited as the inventor of the modern waterproof raincoat.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/17/15/24/waterproofs.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Waterproofs
Where else in the world could claim to have invented waterproofs? Glasgow has its fair share of rain throughout the year and Chemist Charles Macintosh (not to be confused with our Rennie) is credited as the inventor of the modern waterproof raincoat. | Contributed
![Queen’s Park have been a footballing pioneer having been the first club to be founded in Scotland. As well as inventing free-kicks, turnstiles and crossbars, they were also the very first team to play two 45 minute halves of football so are credited with creating the half-time break.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/15/8/28/GettyImages-2157611748.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Half-time interval
Queen’s Park have been a footballing pioneer having been the first club to be founded in Scotland. As well as inventing free-kicks, turnstiles and crossbars, they were also the very first team to play two 45 minute halves of football so are credited with creating the half-time break. | Getty Images
![Glasgow cannot claim to have invented the steam engine, but famed Scottish inventor James Watt made vast improvements to its efficiency](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjcyYzkyNmY5LTg1OTEtNDE3YS05YTIwLTljNmEyNjBkMjIyNDpiYzQ3MDdjMS04ZWQ1LTQwYjctOGYzYi01MDE2YmE2ZjAwYjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
12. The (improved) steam engine
Glasgow cannot claim to have invented the steam engine, but famed Scottish inventor James Watt made vast improvements to its efficiencyPhoto: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage