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Weird and Wonderful Inventions Display

15 August 2008

20th century Food mixer and grater Maurice Collins, author of "Eccentric Contraptions" and "Ingenious Gadgets", will be giving a talk on his intriguing personal collection of weird and wonderful labour saving devices. 

Maurice Collins, OBE, MA, FRSA, will be displaying over 50 ingenious gadgets and devices conceived between 1851 – 1951, by the imaginations of a number of inventors looking to strike it rich with their ingenious contraptions. Come delve into Collins’ collection and guess for your self the obscure purpose of these eccentric creations. 

Built up over a period of 30 years, the Collins' family collection is guaranteed to make patents engaging and entertaining for all ages. Below are just a few examples of the types of devices that will be in the Weird and Wonderful display at the British Library's Business & IP Centre from Thursday 14 August - Thursday 10 November 2008.

Exhibition opening hours

10.00 – 20.00 Mon
09.30 – 20.00 Tues – Thurs
09.30 – 17.00 Fri – Sat
Closed on Sunday and Bank Holidays

  • Clockwork burglar alarm (1852)
  • Grenade that put out fires (1890)
  • Mechanical page-turner (1890)
  • The Dynamo Shaver (1930)
  • The original Sat-Nav wristwatch (1920)
  • The beer can hole maker (1940)
  • The automatic hair nose cutter (1920)
  • The two handled Self-pouring teapot (1886)
  • The whiskey bottle lock (1882) - stop the servants getting to the booze

The British Library works very closely with the UKIPO offering inventors and entrepreneurs free advice and workshops on the patenting process. The Library's intellectual property experts will be on hand throughout the event to offer advice on how best to protect your inspiration.

Find out more about the evening talk

Press Information: For further information and pictures contact Nicola Osmond-Evans at Good Connections PR Tel: +44(0)20 8516 1470, Mobile: +44(0)7985 800 108 Email: goodconnectionspr@ntlworld.com

Photo/Film/Interview Opportunity

What: Maurice Collins opens the Weird and Wonderful Inventions and Gadgets display
When: Thursday 14 August 2008 at 9:30am
Where: The Business & IP Centre (1st floor) of the British Library,
St Pancras, 96 Euston,
Road, London,
NW1 2DB

Notes to Editors:-

  • The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom.  It provides world-class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection.  Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk, which currently receives almost 2 million 'hits' or visits per month.
  • The British Library Business & IP Centre is supported by the London Development Agency to provide a single access point to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in London to gain access to and exploit existing and new business and IP information, and other relevant content and data, guided by impartial Library information experts and associated partners.  The Business & IP Centre has been used by over 30,000 people since it opened in March 2006.  An independent survey of 230 users in 2007 showed that it helped create 47 new companies, took a further 48 to start-up and helped create 115 new jobs.  Access to the Centre is free, but users need a Reader Pass; for more information visit: www.bl.uk/bipc
  • The London Development Agency works to improve quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth www.lda.gov.uk.

 
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