Cornwall, the land of sandy beaches, pretty fishing coves, historic fishing ports, tin mining, mansions and gardens, quaint thatched cottages, atmospheric moors, art galleries, writers and picturesque towns? All of that is true but there is so much more to Cornwall and its influence on the rest of Britain and many parts of the world is often forgotten or unknown but yet continues. The county has seen political intrigue; religious upheavals; financial scandals. It has produced political radicals, slaves and slave owners; artists, writers and musicians; renowned engineers, mineralogists and scientists and was the first to introduce compulsory education. Cornwall was the birthplace of the discoverers of chemical elements, the planet Neptune and solar power and has been hugely significant in radio, electrical telegraphy and television. Cornish people have been influential across the centuries, the world and an incredible number of disciplines.