I finally got around to seeing the Hidden Heroes exhibition at the Science Museum, London. It closes on the 5 June.
The exhibition tells the stories behind 44 common objects which are taken for granted. All, or nearly all, were patented. It uses a combination of patent drawings, variations on the objects, video and so on to do this.
I found myself peering intently at patent drawings to see if I could read the patent numbers, as this would be a great way for designers and inventors to follow up the stories. We are told about things such as telescopic umbrellas, teabags, bubble wrap, ring pulls and shipping containers. Certainly, everything has to be designed and then made, no matter how apparently simple or throwaway it is. There is a certain Germanic emphasis which reflects its origins in the Vitra Design Museum -- a useful corrective to Anglo-American boosting, perhaps.
I suspect that the exhibition would appeal more to designers and others involved in the innovation process than to the ordinary person as they may find it hard going. I certainly found it stimulating and left with a sheet covered with scribbled notes.
The inventions are listed on the Vitra Design Museum's (rather awkward to use) "My Hidden Heroes" website.
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