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Spirit of Invention is a new exhibition at The National Archives, opening Saturday 27 May, where all the family have the chance to become an inventor for the day.

The exhibition has been inspired by the incredible inventions found in our Board of Trade design registers. These huge cloth-bound volumes officially registered 'useful designs' or inventions from people between 1843 and 1884. In doing so, the design registers allowed everyday people to register their designs for copyright protection.

From 27 May until 29 October 2023, the gallery will be transformed into a creative workshop where visitors can experiment, explore and create using a range of materials and hands-on activities to unlock their inner inventor. Try on a Victorian ventilating top hat or make a call on an early telephone – and discover unique innovations from modern makers. Visitors will be able to channel the imagination of historic and modern-day makers as they bring their own inventions to life.