Inventions that didn't change the world: a history of Victorian curiosities

In an era when Britain led the world in technological innovation,
a host of lesser inventors were also hard at work. Registering
designs for copyright was quicker and cheaper than the convoluted
patenting process; anyone with what they thought was a good idea
could register a design. All manner of bizarre curiosities and
their careful drawings were lodged with the Designs Registry (now
held by The National Archives). Julie Halls looks at the world of
lesser-known Victorian inventions and the historical context
which gave rise to them.


Julie Halls is The National Archives' specialist for registered
designs and is the author of Inventions that didn't change the
world (Thames & Hudson, 2014).