Edinburgh inventions: 8 things Edinburgh has given the world, from Sherlock Holmes to the telephone

Edinburgh is a creative, scientific and romantic city – and we’ve made some world changing discoveries and inventions.

By Rachel Mackie

Published 11th Feb 2023, 04:45 GMT

Here in Edinburgh, we have it all – brains, beauty and creativity. From science to literature to medicine, there’s nothing we can’t do. Here are eight things Edinburgh has given the world.

Dominion Cinema hosting immersive Magic Mike experience with topless butlers and prosecco

Dolly the sheep was the first ever cloned mammal as part of an experiment by associates of the Roslin Institute, part of the University of Edinburgh.

1. Dolly the Sheep

Dolly the sheep was the first ever cloned mammal as part of an experiment by associates of the Roslin Institute, part of the University of Edinburgh. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell

Sherlock Holmes was created by Edinburgh author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote four novels and fifty-six short stories about the iconic detective.

2. Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes was created by Edinburgh author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote four novels and fifty-six short stories about the iconic detective. Photo: -

The telephone was invented by Edinburgh son Alexander Graham Bell, born on South Charlotte Street in 1847.

3. Telephone

The telephone was invented by Edinburgh son Alexander Graham Bell, born on South Charlotte Street in 1847. Photo: f

In 1847, Edinburgh surgeon James Young Simpson was the first to use chloroform as a general anesthetic on a human.

4. Chloroform

In 1847, Edinburgh surgeon James Young Simpson was the first to use chloroform as a general anesthetic on a human. Photo: Chinnapong

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