This autumn, the University of Liverpool's Victoria Gallery & Museum (VG&M) is set to illuminate with the opening of Lightbulb moments, an exhibition that explores the origins of some of Liverpool's greatest ideas.
Opening on Thursday 11 September 2025 and running through to autumn 2027, the exciting free exhibition will be held in the Tate Hall Museum-located within the VG&M -as it reopens after 5 years closure due to roof restoration and the pandemic.
Great ideas can occur in many places-on a walk, in the shower, or even in bed -and many of them come from Liverpool. This exhibition 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.
Researchers from across the University of Liverpool also play a key role in the exhibition, sharing their own moments of discovery. From history, music, and archaeology to chemistry and medical science, every faculty at the University brings its own lightbulb moment to the story. Highlights include Professor Andrew Weeks' creation of the Postpartum Haemorrhage Butterfly-first prototyped at home using a potato masher and LEGO and now a medical device that could save many lives worldwide. Also, Dr Ariel Camp's breakthrough in biomechanics is also celebrated, which revealed how fish bend their spines and heads upward, reshaping our understanding of animal evolution and influencing robotics.
More than a traditional display, Lightbulb moments is a vibrant celebration of curiosity and creativity-inviting visitors to explore how great ideas take shape and inspiring them to discover their own.
Steve Slack, Lightbulb moments' curator said: "Throughout history, Liverpool has been a hub of innovation, and this exhibition celebrates the city's role in fostering great ideas. By weaving together historical and contemporary contributions from Liverpool's thinkers, creators and visionaries, Lightbulb moments aims to inspire the next generation of innovators. The exhibition reinforces that anyone-from scientists and artists to students and museum visitors-can experience a moment of insight that changes the world.
"As the Tate Hall Museum reopens its doors, Lightbulb moments invites visitors to step inside, be inspired and perhaps even experience their own flashes of brilliance. After all, there's no better place to have a great idea than in a museum."
Dr Matt Greenhall, Director of Libraries, Museums and Galleries, University of Liverpool, added: "The reopening of Tate Hall Museum is a momentous occasion. After five years of careful building restoration, it will be wonderful to see this historic space welcoming visitors once again. Lightbulb moments is the perfect exhibition to mark this new chapter, celebrating both the University and the city as a hub of innovation and great ideas.
"The exhibition features unique objects and documents from the University's significant heritage and cultural collections, alongside the work of our academics, students and city partners. As we developed the exhibition, we worked closely with our local community-and we're excited to continue welcoming them into a space designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and conversation. We look forward to Tate Hall Museum being a space where great ideas are showcased, shared, and created!"
Steve Burgess, Head of Exhibitions at The National Archives: "I'm really excited to see Lightbulb moments and delighted that it was inspired by Spirit of Invention. We're all happy here that we had a small part to play in your opening exhibition. I'm sure it will be very popular."
VG&M and Lightbulb moments are free to visit, with an accompanying public programme of events and activities designed to engage and inspire visitors of all ages. Visit vgm.liverpool.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/lightbulb-moments
