The National Archives’ design exhibition on registered inventions launches at Discovery Museum

A new exhibition in partnership with The National Archives opens at Newcastle's Discovery Museum, from 16 March – 23 June 2024.

Spirit of Invention: A world of creativity from Victorian Britain to the present day was inspired by some of the thousands of creative designs registered with the Board of Trade which are held at The National Archives.

This hands-on design exhibition will appeal to families of all ages, and those who are fascinated by imaginative and offbeat creations.

Keith Merrin, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM), said:

“We are delighted to bring Spirit of Invention to Discovery Museum for the people of the region to enjoy. The stories of inventiveness and creativity chime with those told in the museum about the great North East inventions that have shaped the nation. 

“It is the first time that The National Archives has worked with a museum in this way to create an exhibition away from its London base and is part of a longstanding relationship that we have for the benefit of the communities of our region.” 

Emmajane Avery, The National Archives’ Director of Public Engagement and Sector Leadership, said:

“We’re thrilled that our first exhibition to go on tour is opening at the Discovery Museum. 

“The documents we care for at The National Archives belong to everyone and this is a wonderful opportunity to make the creativity, designs and stories that they can inspire accessible to more families. It’s been made possible by close collaboration with colleagues at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.” 

The exhibition features some of the incredible inventions found in the Board of Trade design registers, kept at The National Archives. These huge cloth-bound volumes officially registered ‘useful designs’ or inventions from people between 1843 and 1884. Selected pages will form part of the exhibition.

Visitors to the museum can get up close to exquisite hand-drawn designs for inventions like William Blackmore Pine’s ‘Flower Cornet’, a discreet hearing device that looks like a flower and a ‘Peach Protector’, a glass dome that protects a peach from being eaten by bugs.

Spirit of Invention also features cutting-edge contemporary technology alongside these eye-catching inventions from the Victorian era – among them a ventilating top hat and a clean air necklace that monitors air pollution.

The exhibition also offers an interactive creative experience, encouraging visitors of all ages to try their hand at designing and inventing using a range of materials.

Discovery Museum is already home to world-changing inventions like the first steam-turbine powered ship Turbinia, made on Tyneside by engineer Charles Parsons and once the fastest ship in the world; and the most comprehensive collection of lightbulbs in the world, including Joseph Swan’s filament commercial light bulb.

Spirit of Invention is free to visit and will be accompanied by a programme of events including Discovery Museum’s Tiny Sparks under 5 programme and family inventor events.

Discovery Museum is open weekdays 10am - 4pm and weekends 11am – 4pm and has free entry.