Four great medicos and mavericks risked their careers testing these ground-breaking medical inventions. Psychiatrist Dr Joh Cade discovered the psychological effects of Lithium on his bipolar patients after first testing its toxicity on himself. Dr Mark Lidwill worked in secrecy on the world's first pacemaker following his experiments on the hearts of recently deceased patients. Professor Fiona Wood developed a process to help severe burns victims recover quickly with spray-on skin, and the Ansells helped fight infection with their disposable medical gloves.

• Elissa McKeand

• Matt Parkinson
• Anja Coleby
• Sally Dominguez