The "Varyflush" water-saving device for toilets, the fully ergonomic keyboard, the under water bike and the talking potty are just some of the exhibits on display at the British Invention Show.
But how many will make it into our homes? Not enough, according to some of the world's most eminent inventors. Britain, once the cradle of inventions such as the printing press, the steam engine, electricity and the telephone, has turned its back on product innovation.
That's why inventor and businessman Paul Davidson has set up Facilities Corporate Management (FCM), a business accelerator fund to help inventors commercialize their ideas.
Davidson, who created the Oyster Converter -- a fitting that allows pipes to be joined without welding, soldering or compression -- knows all about the frustrations of an inventor.
"Inventors are treated with total disdain by business in this country, and yet they're some of the richest people in the world," he said in a telephone interview.
Davidson's innovative pipe-fitting was rejected by engineering firm Delta Plc. So he set up his own firm, Oystertec, which was so successful that in October it bought Delta's plumbing unit for ?28 million (US$40 million). But his case is the exception to the rule.
"I've heard estimates that Britain has lost as much as ?165 billion from inventions made here but exploited abroad," said Trevor Bayliss, inventor of the wind-up radio.
The hovercraft, the vertical take-off plane and CAT scanners are just a few British inventions lost to foreign manufacturers.
James Dyson, who invented the bag-less vacuum cleaner, blamed a smorgasbord of economic and cultural reasons for the decline of entrepreneurial spirit in Britain.
High interest rates, a strong pound, and a financial system obsessed by short-term returns have halved the country's manufacturing base since World War II. As most inventions are products that have to be made, this has devastated the market.
Dyson, who spent two fruitless years trying to sell his vacuum cleaners in Europe before being granted a licence in Japan within weeks, said Britain's education system was biased against practical disciplines such as engineering.
"It's a whole way of thinking we have lost," he said.
Sharing these concerns, Bayliss has set up the British Academy of Invention to provide advice, help and a forum for inventors to discuss ideas.
Davidson is also doing his bit for the industry. FCM is sponsored this month's British Invention Show in London. But he also sees a business opportunity.
"The mistake the government makes is to try to turn an inventor into a businessman," he said, referring to various schemes that provide small grants to set up enterprises.
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