But five people came up with the steamboat, and nine people came up with the telescope, and, if Gray had fallen into the Grand River along with Bell, some Joe Smith somewhere would likely have come up with the telephone instead and Ma Smith would have run the show.

NEWYORKER: In the Air

Jackie Smith, who lives in Kempsey near Worcester, believes the defences put up along the River Severn since the floods of 2007 have made the situation worse where she lives.

BBC: Worcestershire flood barriers put up as river levels rise