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The Wheel of Invention – From ideas to patents
5 - 19 December 2003 and 7 - 30 January 2004 in Munich
European Patent Office, Erhardstrasse 27, 80331 Munich
With a comprehensive programme of accompanying events for young people on science, education and the future
Munich, 17 November 2003 -The exhibition "The Wheel of Invention – From ideas to patents" offers an intriguing glimpse into the world of inventions. The purpose of the exhibition, aimed mainly at young people between 14 and 19, is to demonstrate the relevance to society of science and technology, and provide an insight into the work of the European Patent Office.
The exhibition comprises a series of spherical "islands" showing inventions from eight fields: medicine, the environment, mobility, information, sport, nutrition, industrial production and everyday life. Visitors will find, for example, a new type of fuel cell for pollution-free automobiles, a needleless - and painless - powder injection apparatus, and a special brain-computer interface that could be used in future to communicate with computers at the speed of thought.
As well as high-tech exhibits and unconventional technologies, the exhibition features surprising solutions to everyday problems. Interactive installations enable visitors to get hands-on experience of inventions and see for themselves the opportunities and risks of new technologies.
With its mix of presentation techniques, combining original objects, simulations and interactive displays with multimedia, films and graphics, the exhibition opens up a new perspective on patents and their often surprising potential uses.
A comprehensive programme of accompanying events rounds off the unusual show. This includes a series of lectures by scientists for adults, and guided tours, lasting around 75 minutes, around the exhibition. School students in years 10 to 13 will also have an opportunity to take part in practical laboratory demonstrations in the fields of cell biology, haematology and molecular biology at the Max Planck Institutes of Biochemistry and Neurobiology.
In connection with the exhibition, a conference with the title "Das Bild einer Welt der Zukunft" (The Image of a Future World) will be held on 26 January 2004. This will bring young people together with prominent figures from industry, science, politics and the arts. The adults of tomorrow will be talking to the experts of today about their visions for the future and the opportunities held out by a changing world.
Guided tours for school parties will be available from 5 December at the following times: Monday to Friday 9 am to 1 pm, Tuesday 2 pm.
Tour bookings: Dr Jutta Thinesse-Demel
thinesse-demel@t-online.de
Further information: www.wheelofinvention.org
Further press information and enquiries:
Christa Kallfelz
Kallfelz Kommunikation
Amalienstraße 26
80333 Munich
Tel. 089/28 75 55 70
Fax 089/28 75 55 71
E-Mail: info@kallfelz-kommunikation.de
European Patent Office
Press and Public Relations
Culture/Communication
Dr Monica Poalas
E-Mail: info@wheelofinvention.org