Although not one of the 'greats' of invention, John Fleming's creation of the thermionic valve (or vacuum tube) helped kick-start modern electronics.
Having studied at University College, London, and at Cambridge University, Fleming became a high flier working for both Edison's and Marconi's companies.
He designed early electric lighting systems for ships as well as the transmitter that made Marconi's first transatlantic transmission in 1901 possible.
Fleming realised that radio development was being held up by the under-performing detection of radio signals. He tried using the 'Edison effect' to act as a detector and found it worked and so developed the 'Thermionic valve', which he patented in 1904.
This was a period of fierce competition; two years later de Forest launched his 'Audion' vacuum tube and the 'Cat's Whisker' detector also came on the market. Nevertheless, Fleming's valve paved the way for all subsequent development and in 1929 he was knighted for his contribution to electrical and electronic engineering.
