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.
![Allan Pinkerton, pictured on the left, was born in Glasgow but made a name for himself through detective work in the early days of the USA. He foiled an assassination attempt on Abraham Lincoln, and the agency he founded (Pinkerton Detective Agency) was a major progenitor of the FBI.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/17/12/52/GettyImages-1268482347.jpg.jpg?trim=935,0,554,0&crop=&width=800)
13. The FBI
Allan Pinkerton, pictured on the left, was born in Glasgow but made a name for himself through detective work in the early days of the USA. He foiled an assassination attempt on Abraham Lincoln, and the agency he founded (Pinkerton Detective Agency) was a major progenitor of the FBI. | Heritage Images via Getty Images
![The 1st International Robot Olympics was held on 27–28 September 1990 at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK. An Olympic torch was carried from the Parthenon Greek restaurant through the streets of Glasgow by Trolleyman (a golf-cart-like wheeled robot that eventually suffered power failure) before robot representatives from the USA, Japan, Canada, Europe and the former Soviet Union participated in events such as collision avoidance, wall climbing, speaking and bipedal walking. Unfortunately, a carpet laid especially for the event was the undoing of most entrants, who became caught in the pile. Pictured is Shoji Suzuki from the University of Tsukuba receiving the overall Robot Olympic Champion award from Lord Balfour of Burleigh.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/10/27/10/Champion_Robot.png?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
14. Robot Olympics
The 1st International Robot Olympics was held on 27–28 September 1990 at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK. An Olympic torch was carried from the Parthenon Greek restaurant through the streets of Glasgow by Trolleyman (a golf-cart-like wheeled robot that eventually suffered power failure) before robot representatives from the USA, Japan, Canada, Europe and the former Soviet Union participated in events such as collision avoidance, wall climbing, speaking and bipedal walking. Unfortunately, a carpet laid especially for the event was the undoing of most entrants, who became caught in the pile. Pictured is Shoji Suzuki from the University of Tsukuba receiving the overall Robot Olympic Champion award from Lord Balfour of Burleigh. | Contributed
![John Macintyre came up with the innovative idea of raditation therapy at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illness.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYwZGU4ZTdmLWE1MTctNDI0MS1iN2IyLThhMjYzOTZiODQ5ZTozNGM5YjVhOC00NDNjLTQwNWUtOWI0MC05MjY0MGFiZjBlNjA=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
15. Radiation Therapy
John Macintyre came up with the innovative idea of raditation therapy at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illness. | ContributedPhoto: Jeff Moore