IN Northern Ireland we've have always had pioneering spirit, and this culture of innovation has never been more evident than right now.
In looking at the history of innovation, one of the most extraordinary findings is that so many of our 'modern' inventions and, thus, way of life, have their origins in times of great hardship from wars to pandemics.
While the inventions and scientific improvements can never be justified against the devastating loss of life, they are undoubtedly something to be positive about right now – particularly as so many have ushered in great medical and societal break-throughs.
We have witnessed first-hand the research and development that is currently spurring what could become world-changing inventions.
Much of what we take for granted today was developed during these difficult times and helped shape the world.
:: The ejector seat - James Martin from Crossgar was an aircraft manufacturer who turned to flight safety after his business partner was killed in a test flight in 1942. During World War II, he researched escape mechanisms for the Spitfire and created an explosive charge to forcibly eject the seated pilot. To date, thousands of pilots around the world have had their lives saved by the ejector seat.
:: Safety lamp – physician William Reid Clanny from Bangor served as an assistant surgeon in the Royal Navy. The Felling colliery disaster in the north of England in 1812 triggered him to deal with the problems of underground lighting. The first lamp he designed was a candle in a glass surround. Below the glass was a trough that contained water through which air was forced by a pair of bellows and the fumes bubbled out through another water chamber above.
:: Milk of Magnesia – originally from County Derry, physician Sir James Murray carried out research into digestion that led to the creation of Milk of Magnesia in 1809. He developed the fluid magnesia using magnesium sulfate which was long known for its benefits in digestion. Setting up his factory in Belfast, the company Sir James Murray & Sons to market the product under its new name Milk of Magnesia. Murray also studied in electrotherapy and led the research into the causes of cholera and other epidemics as a result of exposure to natural electricity.
From truly life-saving inventions to essential features of our daily lives, generation upon generation of world have been at their very best developing solutions during times of great hardship.
The government, through UK Research and Innovation, is supporting this drive by inviting and funding projects addressing and mitigating the health, social, economic, cultural and environmental impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak.
To help play our part, Momentum Group is providing free research & development tax credit advice, ensuring local companies achieve the optimum financial benefit from HMRC.
This free offer is available to any company that has adapted new processes or products to aid the NHS. But even if you’re not in this sector, we are urging all to seek a second opinion as your business could really benefit at this challenging time.
We have also called on the government to ensure R&D tax claims are paid within 28 days to enable our most innovative companies to maintain a healthy cash flow during this unprecedented global crisis.
Innovation is at the heart of the Northern Ireland, and I have great confidence we will not only beat Covid-19 but come out stronger. We can achieve this by working together, helping each other and delivering solutions that will prove vital in tackling pandemics now and for future generations.
:: Tom Verner is group managing director at Momentum R&D
