10. Trevor Baylis
Best known for creating the wind-up radio, Baylis is an English inventor and promoter of patent protection. After watching a television programme about the AIDS epidemic in Africa, Baylis started creating a self-powered radio which would inform and educate people about the disease. He was also made an OBE in 1997.
9. Kenneth Grange
This British industrial designer's career spans half a century and his influence can still be seen in several household items today. Responsible for designing food mixers for Kenwood, razors for Wilkinson Sword and cameras for Kodak, Grange also had a key role in the development of the TX1, the modernised version of London’s iconic black taxi.
8. Bill Moggridge
Known for designing the world’s first laptop computer, the GRiD Compass, Moggridge received a lifetime achievement accolade at the National Design Awards in 2009. The GRiD Compass, released in 1982 at a cost of $8,000, was used by NASA on the Space Shuttle and by the US Special Forces due to its powerful yet lightweight nature.
7. Andrew Ritchie
Graduate of the University of Cambridge with a degree in Engineering, Ritchie is responsible for investing the Brompton folding bicycle. Initially persuading 10 friends to invest £100 each to build a prototype, Ritchie continued to invest time and effort into the project and has now made Brampton the UK's largest bicycle manufacturer.
6. Shigeru Miyamoto
Video game designer and producer Miyamoto was instrumental in developing one of the most innovative and original consoles ever made, the Nintendo Wii. While rivals like the Xbox 360 and PS3 were more concerned with power and fast processing, Miyamoto noted that the main focus for the Wii was developing a new form of player interaction.
5. Elon Musk
Entrepreneur Musk is most famous for co-founding PayPal, SpaceX and Tesla Motors. SpaceX designs and manufacturers reusable space launch vehicles while Tesla Motors is famous for producing performance electric cars. Musk is also Chairman and primary investor of SolarCity, a photovoltaic company geared towards environmental sustainability.
4. Steve Jobs
Co-founder and now former CEO at Apple, Jobs has been instrumental in the design and development of some of the world's most well-known laptops, desktop computers and mobile devices. Although Jobs was once described by Fortune as 'one of Silicon Valley's leading egomaniacs,' few can argue with his immense pioneering prowess.
3. Sir James Dyson
Industrial designer and inventor of the dual cyclone bag-less vacuum cleaner, Dyson's creations are now instantly recognisable household products. More recently Dyson has launched the Airblade, an electric hand dryer, and the Air Multiplier, a desktop and floor-standing fan. In 2011, his net worth was said to be £1.45 billion.
2. Adrian Newey
One of the greatest ever Formula One engineers, Newey's success at every team he has been involved with is unsurpassed. Starting off with Williams in the early nineties, McLaren until 2006 and now at Red Bull Racing, Newey's knowledge and expertise has earned his cars seven Formula One World Championships.
1. Jonathan Ive
For an Apple employee other than Steve Jobs to be top of any list is an achievement, however Jonathan Ive’s total design influence in nearly all of the company’ most recognisable products is worthy of any accolade. Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple, Ive has been directly responsible for the iMac, Powerbook G4, MacBook, iPod, iPhone and iPad. A graduate of Newcastle Polytechnic, Ive has received a cavalcade of awards and recognitions as well as having 300 granted design patents to his name. Commenting on Apple’s products, Ive told Design Museum: “The defining qualities are about use: ease and simplicity. Caring beyond the functional imperative, we also acknowledge that products have a significance way beyond traditional views of function.” In 2008, The Daily Telegraph called him the most influential Briton in America, while Fortune magazine named him the world's smartest designer in 2010.
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