The continuing, widespread ( and neglected) importance of improvements in mechanical technologies ( j- B# y( N) u7 W7 K- P 4 H: ?2 O5 w" u7 q$ W, ?; M A & `' j* p: k/ kParimal Pate1 and Keith Pavitt , l! n: }/ M- U7 ]9 l" @: CScience Policy Research Unit, Unil~ersity of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BNI 9RF, UK