In pictures
Top hat designs
The top hat was a symbol of respectability for the Victorian middle classes. Our registered design records show solutions to the practical issues it caused.
Past exhibition
Spirit of Invention
Step into a world of creativity from past to present.
- Date
- 27 May to 29 October 2023
- Price
- Free
About Spirit of Invention
Spirit of Invention was a fun, free exhibition showing the glorious imagination of Victorian designs alongside creations from modern makers.
It is now permanently closed. Visitors could draw inspiration from incredible inventions found in our Board of Trade design registers, huge cloth-bound volumes that officially registered ‘useful designs’ or inventions from people between 1843 and 1884. They allowed everyday people to register their designs for copyright protection.
Inspired by these innovators, our Exhibition Space was transformed into a creative workshop where visitors could experiment, explore and create using a range of materials and hands-on activities to unlock their inner inventor. They could try on a Victorian ventilating top hat or make a call on an early telephone – and discover unique inventions from modern makers.
The exhibition was co-curated with children from a local school and guest curator and British entrepreneur Ruth Amos.
Spirit of Invention went on tour to the Discovery Museum in Newcastle from 16 March to 23 June 2024.
Exhibition highlights
In pictures
Get a glimpse of what visitors to the exhibition could see and do while it was open.
Image 1 of 3
Discover a 3D-printed robotic arm – and many more intriguing creations.
Image 2 of 3
Test this inclusive security solution, a door lock that recognises your face.
Image 3 of 3
Admire this Social Networking Top Hat, complete with its own fans.
Plan your visit
What is The National Archives?
The National Archives is the official archive of the UK government, and England and Wales. We are the guardians of over 1,000 years of iconic national documents.
Everyone is welcome to visit our headquarters in Kew. We put on exhibitions, events and displays and offer reading rooms giving access to our collections there.
Getting here
The National Archives is located by the River Thames in Kew, 30 minutes from Central London. We offer advice on travelling to us by car, bike, train or bus.
Opening times
Love Letters will be open at the following times:
- Monday: CLOSED
- Tuesday: 09:00 to 19:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 to 17:00
- Thursday: 09:00 to 19:00
- Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
- Saturday: 09:00 to 18:00
- Sunday: 10:00 to 16:00
The exhibition will be open for shorter hours on some bank holiday weekend dates. Check our full Opening times for details.
Onsite virtual queue
To allow the best possible experience for visitors to this free exhibition, we are operating an onsite virtual queue.
Once you arrive at our site, you will be invited to join the virtual queue by a member of our Welcome Team.
To do this you will need a smartphone, but you will not need to download any apps or create any accounts. If you do not have a smartphone our Welcome Team will be able to assist you with an alternate option.
Group visits
Due to limited space and high demand, we are currently unable to accept any further group bookings.
Accessibility
Everyone is welcome to visit this exhibition.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas
- The exhibition has low lighting levels
- It includes pictures, audio, information boards, televisions/screens and interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user
- Large print guides are available
Children and families
We provide a warm welcome to visitors of all ages, including children and family groups.
- Explore the exhibition together with our MI5: Official Secrets family trail, for ages 8+, and decode a secret message
- Free activity sheets (for ages 1+) are available from the Time Travel Club trolley in our entrance hall
- Our café is child-friendly and there are picnic benches outside
- Prams and buggies are welcome, and we have a buggy park
- Baby changing facilities are located by our entrance hall, at the top of the main stairs, and in the library
- Emergency supplies of nappies and wipes are available
Eat and drink
We have a café and coffee bar provided by Maids of Honour, a historic local tea room and bakery. It has spacious indoor and outside seating and a soft play area.
On the menu is a variety of high-quality lunchtime meals, sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements are all catered to.
Discover historical inventions
From the ingenious to the bizarre, explore some of the registered designs found in our collections.
In pictures
Victorian ornamental design
Records of registered designs show the extraordinary array of manufactured goods created in the wake of the Industrial Revolution.
Record revealed
Registered design for an expanding travelling basket
In 1866, a British luggage manufacturer attempted to capitalise on the expansion of railway lines with a unique and royal travel bag.
In pictures
Innovations in toilet design
Our collections of patents and designs show how the functionality and appearance of toilets evolved during the 18th and 19th centuries.