The National Archives: Spirit of Invention. Photograph by Jayne Lloyd for The National Archives.

Photography for The National Archives – Spirit of Invention Exhibition

In May I was commissioned to photograph the fascinating new exhibition at The National Archives, ‘Spirit of Invention‘.

Spirit of Invention features original Victorian designs alongside designs from modern makers, is filled with interactive activities for children and adults and really encourages visitors to become inventors themselves!

“The exhibition has been inspired by the incredible inventions found in the 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.”

I really enjoyed seeing the incredible ideas on display including clothes that grow with a child as they get older and a top hat that cools you down and makes quite the talking point, and the hoverbike was pretty cool too!

Below are some of the installation photographs of the exhibition but visit The National Archives’ website to find out all about the exhibition and how to see and experience it yourself.

The National Archives: Spirit of Invention. Photograph by Jayne Lloyd for The National Archives. Photograph of the exterior of The National Archives building in Kew, with 'Public Record Office' inscribed above the entrance, blue sky and clouds above and trees and plants with a bench in the foreground to the right and people sitting under umbrellas to the left.

It was great to work with the fantastic team at The National Archives and I encourage you to visit if you can!

Spirit of Invention is free to visit and open to all until 29 October 2023 at The National Archives. Check their website for opening times.

The National Archives
Kew, Richmond
TW9 4DU

Website: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk