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Unleash your inner inventor at The National Archives

Here's an exhibition that'll have you fizzing with inspiration before you can say "eureka"! Spirit of Invention at The National Archives is a fun, family-friendly celebration of imagination and design — showcasing extraordinary creations from the Victorian era to the present day.

Make a call on an early telephone, or take a look at a ventilated top hat! The exhibition has all sorts of interactive elements, and you'll even get the chance to unleash your inner Thomas Edison and prototype your own ideas. It's all inspired by the incredible (and sometimes outlandish) inventions found in the Board of Trade design registers from the mid-19th century, which allowed ordinary people to apply for copyright protection.

Spirit of Invention is open now — just in time for half-term — and runs until 29 October. It's totally free to visit, and there are a few special events to get stuck into, too. Read on for the nuts and bolts of it all, then click below to plan your visit.
Plan Your Visit
Oodles Of Inspiration

At the exhibition, you'll have the chance to discover 19th century inventions like an indoor swing or a disguised hearing aid. There are also more modern creations, including a hoverbike, a robot jellyfish and the super-cool social networking hat pictured left. You'll also hear interviews between inventors young and old, discussing their craft.
Jam-Packed Festival Day

The National Archives hosts a Spirit of Invention Festival Day on 4 June, with all sorts of science-y workshops and demos. Visit Explorer Dome's inflatable planetarium, play in a garden of reclaimed instruments with The Junk Orchestra, and help create a record-breaking automaton in a Fire The Inventor workshop. Tickets from £2.50 — book here.

Hands On Fun

Across each of the exhibition's five zones, you're encouraged to get creative. Experiment with planning, constructing, and adapting your own ideas. There are a range of design challenges to get stuck into, with different materials available to help you build your prototypes.
Get Involved From Afar

There are also a couple of Spirit of Invention events that can be enjoyed from your living room! On 7 June, science and comedy writer and presenter Helen Pilcher hosts a pay-what-you-can webinar celebrating small-but-mighty inventions. Then, on 30 June, author and engineer Roma Agrawal explores seven simple inventions that make the world go around.
Plan Your Visit

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