Liverpool is a great place for having great ideas...
Great ideas can occur in many places -on a walk, in the shower, or even in bed -and many of them come from Liverpool.
Lightbulb moments explores the origins of some of the city’s most remarkable discoveries, innovations, and insights, and invites visitors to reflect on what makes ideas possible in the first place.
Drawing from the rich collections of the University of Liverpool and The National Archives, Lightbulb moments displays 150 objects – from archaeological finds and scientific tools to puzzles and literature.
Highlights include teaching materials for Esperanto, the universal language invented by L. Zamenhof in 1887 to promote international peace; a pair of wooden globes – terrestrial (1833) and celestial (1799) – that chart explorers’ routes and mythic constellations while prompting reflection on Britain’s role in global history; and a re-creation of Bagatelle Nouvelle, an 1847 indoor game revived by local primary school children using original trade designs from The National Archives.
Lightbulb moments looks at four key themes and the exhibition explains how innovation happens when people see a problem, build on past knowledge, use their creativity, and stay curious.
Each object displayed embodies a ‘lightbulb moment’, a turning point in the journey of discovery.
What great idea will you have today?
Location: Tate Hall
Throughout history, Liverpool has been a hub of innovation, and this exhibition celebrates the city’s role in fostering great ideas.
Steve Slack, Lightbulb moments curator
Back to: Victoria Gallery & Museum