Jelly Babies were first created in Nelson in 1864. The sweets were first manufactured by Thomas Fryer and his sweet company in Colne Road. One of Fryer’s employees was an Austrian immigrant named Steinbeck, who is reported to have created the jelly baby. When Steinbeck was asked to create a new mould for jelly bears, the end product looked more like babies. The rest, as they say, is history. The sweets were originally named ‘unclaimed babies’, so-called after babies left on church steps, and can be traced back to around the 1880s. In 1885 Riches Confectionary of Duke St, London Bridge, was advertising a sweet called ‘jelly babies’placeholder image
Jelly Babies were first created in Nelson in 1864. The sweets were first manufactured by Thomas Fryer and his sweet company in Colne Road. One of Fryer’s employees was an Austrian immigrant named Steinbeck, who is reported to have created the jelly baby. When Steinbeck was asked to create a new mould for jelly bears, the end product looked more like babies. The rest, as they say, is history. The sweets were originally named ‘unclaimed babies’, so-called after babies left on church steps, and can be traced back to around the 1880s. In 1885 Riches Confectionary of Duke St, London Bridge, was advertising a sweet called ‘jelly babies’ | David Pimborough - stock.adobe.com

19 amazing inventions you didn't know were made in Lancashire - from Vimto to pies to fingerprinting

By Catherine Musgrove

Senior reporter

Published 27th Nov 2025, 06:00 GMT

Us Lancastrians are a resourceful - and intelligent - lot.

Over the years, the Red Rose county has seen a whole host of inventions, and some have become everyday items, phrases or ways of life - without us even realising their history.

So take a look at the pages below, and be prepared to be amazed.

The Spinning Jenny was invented by Accrington's James Hargreaves in arounf 1764. A multi-spindle spinning machine, it revolutionised textile manufacturing by allowing one worker to spin multiple threads at once. This invention was a key development in the Industrial Revolution, dramatically increasing the productivity of yarn production and taking spinning from homes to factories. It spurred increased demand for yarn, which led to further mechanization with later machines like the water frame, incented by Preston born Sir Richard Arkwright (pictured).

1. Industrial Revolution

The Spinning Jenny was invented by Accrington's James Hargreaves in arounf 1764. A multi-spindle spinning machine, it revolutionised textile manufacturing by allowing one worker to spin multiple threads at once. This invention was a key development in the Industrial Revolution, dramatically increasing the productivity of yarn production and taking spinning from homes to factories. It spurred increased demand for yarn, which led to further mechanization with later machines like the water frame, incented by Preston born Sir Richard Arkwright (pictured). | Getty Images

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The drink was created back in 1908 by John Noel Nichols, who was born in Blackburn on December 28, 1883. It started out as ‘Vimtonic’ — a herbal tonic made with the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrents to give people ‘Vim & Vigour’. According to the Vimto website: “This new tonic drink was one of a number of products John delivered to small outlets, cafes and temperance bars. The unique blend of herbs and spices that contribute to the distinctive taste were sourced from around the world. Later, it became known as ‘Vimto’, and there are only a very small number of people in the world who know the secret recipe today.”

2. Vimto

The drink was created back in 1908 by John Noel Nichols, who was born in Blackburn on December 28, 1883. It started out as ‘Vimtonic’ — a herbal tonic made with the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrents to give people ‘Vim & Vigour’. According to the Vimto website: “This new tonic drink was one of a number of products John delivered to small outlets, cafes and temperance bars. The unique blend of herbs and spices that contribute to the distinctive taste were sourced from around the world. Later, it became known as ‘Vimto’, and there are only a very small number of people in the world who know the secret recipe today.” | National World

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Holland's Pies - the chippy favourites and iconic Northern pie brand were Based in Baxenden near Accrington

3. Hollands Pies

Holland's Pies - the chippy favourites and iconic Northern pie brand were Based in Baxenden near Accrington | National World

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Teetotalism originated in Preston in 1832 when cheesemonger Joseph Livesey and six other men signed the "total abstinence" pledge at a public meeting. This event marked the beginning of the modern teetotalism movement, with Preston often called the "Jerusalem of Teetotalism". The term "teetotal" itself was coined in Preston in 1833 by Richard Turner, a temperance advocate, who emphasized his commitment to total abstinence by repeating the initial "T".

4. Teetotalism

Teetotalism originated in Preston in 1832 when cheesemonger Joseph Livesey and six other men signed the "total abstinence" pledge at a public meeting. This event marked the beginning of the modern teetotalism movement, with Preston often called the "Jerusalem of Teetotalism". The term "teetotal" itself was coined in Preston in 1833 by Richard Turner, a temperance advocate, who emphasized his commitment to total abstinence by repeating the initial "T". | Derek Martin Photo: Derek Martin D14171241a

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