I've always thought that the British were good at coming up with ideas, but it's the Americans who perfect them and turn them into viable products.

I've always thought that the Americans were good at coming up with ideas, but it's the Japanese who perfect them and turn them into viable products.

(thinks: VCR)

Espionage is widespread throughout the world as we all know.

I bet China is gleaning lots of information these days.

Just so you know......
The Internal Combustion Engine was a German invention, Karl Benz,
The Computer was an English Invention, Alan Turing and built by Tommy Flowers,
The Rocket Engine was German again as were the first rockets,
The Steam Train was English, George Stevenson
The Jet Engine was English and German, Sir Frank Whittle and Dr Hans von Ohain, working separately,
The Passenger Jet was English, De Haviland Comet
The Telephone was Scotish, Alexander Bell migrated to the USA

FF

What dates can you put with these claims, FF?

In 1919, "A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes" was published by American physicist Robert Goddard. His first successful liquid-fuel rocket launch was in 1926.

But the Chinese made solid-fuel rockets (fireworks) a few centuries earlier, didn't they?

And (in 1979) Hans von Ohain credited his review of Whittle's early patents as the inspiration for his own work.

Okay well maybe I was a bit quick to trust Google on my research.
I will admit that I was wrong, however I found this on Google regarding Rockets and British involvement...
"During the early 1800"s. Colonel Congreve of the British army developed rocket that carried explosive, some of these rockets weighed as much as 60 pounds. Several other countries also developed military rockets. In 1800"s an English inventor William Hale improved accuracy in Military rockets by substituted three fins for the long wooden tail which was used to guide the rocket, these rocket was used in the Mexican war and the American Civil war (1861-1865)."

Now as regards Hans von Ohain and his work on the jet engine, thanks for clearing that up. I always knew that we Brits had done it.
FF

I thought all of these things had been invented by Leonardo da Vinci :)

There is a bit in the United States' national anthem, 'The Star-spangled Banner,' about 'the rockets' red glare' that relates to the use of rockets in the British attack on Fort McHenry during The War of 1812, witnessed by the author.

err, just on that rocket point? Congreve copied an indian (sultan tippoo I believe??) design to make his rocket, and I think the indians copied the chinese?