From cutting-edge scientific inventions like X-ray imaging to famous sweets, prams, fish and chips and munitions factories that helped the nation turn the tide in the First World War, the city and its residents have had a profound impact on history. Here, we look at 17 ways the city has changed the world. READ MORE: The story of the White Rose Shopping Centre LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
7. Art
Internationally acclaimed artist Damien Hirst grew up in Leeds, where he was a pupil at Allerton Grange High School before going on to study at Leeds College of Art (formerly Jacob Kramer College) in the 1980s. Sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, from Castleford and Wakefield respectively, also studied at the college. Hirst is pictured at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in 2019. | Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
8. Jelly Tots
Brian Boffey, from Horsforth, was working as a young research scientist at Rowntrees at York when he invented jelly tots during the 1960s. At the time he was trying to come up with a way to produce a powdered jelly that set instantly when it was added to cold water. He thought that the droplets were just waste but within weeks the novel sweet was being sold in shops across the country. | YPN Photo: YPN
9. Emmerdale
Formerly known as Emmerdale Farm, the popular British soap's first episode was aired on October 16, 1972. While the early exterior scenes were filmed in North Yorkshire, and later Esholt, between Leeds and Bradford, interior shots were recorded at studios in Leeds. The long-running ITV series is now filmed in Harewood. Pictured are the Brownlee Brothers, Jonny and Alistair, cycling through the set in 2014. | Tony Johnson Photo: Tony Johnson
10. Thomas Chippendale
The cabinet maker, renowned across the world, was born in Otley. Thomas Cippendale (1718-1779) gained a reputation for his designs and high-quality craftsmanship, which became one of the most sought-after furniture brands in the 18th century. Pictured is curator Simon McCormack, polishing a library desk created by Thomas Chippendale, at Nostell Priory, Wakefield, in 2021. | Simon Hulme Photo: Simon Hulme
11. Leeds City Station
One of the busiest railway stations outside London, Leeds city centre's train station was first unveiled in 1938. It was created following the 'grouping' of former city centre sites New and Wellington Stations. Leeds City Station was rebuilt in 1967. | Gary Longbottom Photo: Gary Longbottom
12. Clinical thermometer
Physician Sir Thomas Clifford Allbutt (1836-1925) served for 20 years as a consultant at Leeds General Infirmary. He introduced the 'clinical' thermometer, a slimmed down version of the older traditional thermometers used at the time. It was six inches, compared to the typical 10-inch device, meaning doctors could carry it around in pockets. Pictured, a nurse takes a patient's temperature with a thermometer in the 1950s. | Getty Photo: Getty