09/11/2026
Things that were invented in Norwich (kind of!)
No, we’re not talking about mustard. Norwich is home to a few interesting inventions, as well as a few “firsts” or “earliest” that we are adding to the list as well.
So settle in for some great pub quiz knowledge:
Machine-made wire netting:
Not as glamorous, maybe, but certainly useful. Charles Barnard was a Norwich ironmonger, and in 1844 he built the first machine to make wire netting. As a farmer’s son, Barnard knew the damage wild animals could do to crops, and he began experimenting with a machine to weave wire netting. Sources suggest he adapted ideas from the city’s textile looms, and he developed the technique but never patented it. His original loom can still be seen in the Museum of Norwich.
The word “electricity”:
You might recognise the name Sir Thomas Browne if you have ever passed by the Haymarket, but did you know why his statue is there? Well, this controversial figure, among other things, coined a number of words in the English language. In his writing, he came up with a number of words to describe his ideas, including the words ‘electricity’, ‘hallucination’ and ‘antediluvian’. There are apparently 788 references to Browne in the Oxford English Dictionary for the first appearance of words such as medical, compensate, carnivorous and ferocious. While he probably didn’t invent all these words, he is credited with their first recorded use.
Provincial newspapers:
So there is a little debate over this one, we know. However, The Norwich Post was established in 1701 by Francis Burges and is considered the earliest truly provincial English newspaper. A paper published by the American Antiquarian Society agrees that it was the first English provincial newspaper we can be certain of, followed by the Bristol Post-Boy in 1702. History is full of uncertainty, which is why words and phrases like “considered” and “believed to be” are so important.
But who knows what will be added to the list? With our amazing universities and flourishing creative sector, there might be new inventions and firsts to add to the list someday.
