TREVOR BAYLIS, the inventor of the wind-up radio, enthused about each of the five shortlisted inventions before plumping for the electric light as his first choice. “For me, the electric light has to be the most important and influential invention. Just imagine a world with out it,” he said.

“When I was a kiddie, my mother’s house was lit by gas — then it was only the rich who could afford electric lights, now they’re ubiquitous. Without them, we wouldn‘t have computers or televisions.

“We take them for granted these days, especially when out on the road. They’re essential and there’s no doubt electric lights have saved lives — they’re even used to view inside your body.

Telephones were also high on his list. He said they had altered our pattern of life by creating near-instant communication. “From the point of view of how it has changed and influenced the way we communicate, this has to be ahead of television, cameras and even computers.”