Andrzej Diniejko

Andrzej Diniejko

Culture & Civilisation of the English-

Culture & Civilisation of the English-

Speaking Countries

Speaking Countries

British

British

Science &

Science &

Technology

Technology

A PowerPoint Presentation for Classroom & Home Study

A PowerPoint Presentation for Classroom & Home Study

Introduction

Introduction



Britain has a long record of outstanding

Britain has a long record of outstanding

achievement in science and technology.

achievement in science and technology.



It was a major centre of both the Scientific

It was a major centre of both the Scientific

and Industrial Revolutions in the 18th and

and Industrial Revolutions in the 18th and

19th centuries. Victorian Britain was the

19th centuries. Victorian Britain was the

first technological nation and the world’s

first technological nation and the world’s

major industrial power, often called the

major industrial power, often called the

‘workshop of the world’. The productivity

‘workshop of the world’. The productivity

of British industries began to decline

of British industries began to decline

gradually in the 20th century.

gradually in the 20th century.

Introduction

Introduction



After World War II Britain was still

After World War II Britain was still

one of three technological

one of three technological

superpowers, behind the USA but

superpowers, behind the USA but

ahead of the Soviet Union.

ahead of the Soviet Union.



For much of the post-war period

For much of the post-war period

science was perceived as the engine

science was perceived as the engine

of progress, the driving force for

of progress, the driving force for

economic prosperity and industrial

economic prosperity and industrial

innovation.

innovation.

Introduction

Introduction



However, due to ‘brain drain’ in recent

However, due to ‘brain drain’ in recent

decades over one million graduates have

decades over one million graduates have

left the UK to look for more highly paid

left the UK to look for more highly paid

jobs in countries such as the United

jobs in countries such as the United

States, Canada and Australia. Britain is

States, Canada and Australia. Britain is

also experiencing a ‘brain gain’ as the

also experiencing a ‘brain gain’ as the

number of highly skilled immigrants,

number of highly skilled immigrants,

mostly from Eastern Europe, outweighs

mostly from Eastern Europe, outweighs

those leaving the country.

those leaving the country.

Introduction

Introduction



Britain has been the home of

Britain has been the home of

intensive scientific research.

intensive scientific research.

Nobel prizes for science have

Nobel prizes for science have

been won by 70 British

been won by 70 British

citizens, second only to the

citizens, second only to the

United States.

United States.

The Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution