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20th-century British inventions: radar, the jet engine and the web

Study note

The 20th century produced a remarkable run of British inventions and discoveries, and the test often asks you to match the invention to the right person. Radar, vital in the Second World War, was developed by Sir Robert Watson-Watt. The jet engine was invented by Sir Frank Whittle, who was an RAF engineer. The television was invented by John Logie Baird.

Two more are especially worth knowing. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who is British, invented the World Wide Web. The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered in 1953, with British scientists among those involved, so 1953 is the year for DNA. Keep these pairings clear, since the questions like to swap the names around between Whittle, Baird, Watson-Watt and Berners-Lee.

Memory tip: Watson-Watt radar; Whittle jet engine; Baird TV; Berners-Lee the web; DNA 1953.

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Question 1 of 4

Who invented the jet engine?

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Show all questions and answers for 20th-century British inventions: radar, the jet engine and the web(4 questions with explanations)

20th-century British inventions: radar, the jet engine and the web: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Who invented the jet engine?

    • Sir Frank Whittle
    • Sir Robert Watson-Watt
    • John Logie Baird
    • Sir Tim Berners-Lee

    Correct answer: Sir Frank Whittle

    Sir Frank Whittle, an RAF engineer, invented the jet engine.

  2. 2. Who invented the World Wide Web?

    • Alan Turing
    • Sir Tim Berners-Lee
    • Sir Frank Whittle
    • John Logie Baird

    Correct answer: Sir Tim Berners-Lee

    Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who is British, invented the World Wide Web.

  3. 3. Who is associated with the development of radar?

    • Isambard Kingdom Brunel
    • Sir Christopher Cockerell
    • Sir Alexander Fleming
    • Sir Robert Watson-Watt

    Correct answer: Sir Robert Watson-Watt

    Sir Robert Watson-Watt developed radar.

  4. 4. In which year was the structure of the DNA molecule discovered?

    • 1928
    • 1969
    • 1953
    • 1990

    Correct answer: 1953

    The structure of DNA was discovered in 1953, with British scientists involved.

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