1001 INVENTIONS: ENLIGHTENED TRIBUTE TO MUSLIM DISCOVERIES.
London-Karen Dabrowska
A brilliant exhibition has been put together under the name "1001 inventions" and is being showcased at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester before being continued at other venues.
The unique content of the exhibition has been planned to generate awareness and appreciation of the scientific discoveries Muslims have made over a time-span of 1000 years. The lasting legacy of Muslim inventiveness and scholarship still serve as a beacon to inspire and motivate young people around the world. The 1001 Inventions project strongly emphasises how Muslims, working harmoniously alongside people of different faiths and races across Europe, Asia and Africa, were able to contribute extensively in many fields including science and medicine.
We all know that coffee came to us from the Arabs along with algebra and geometry, but who knew that Abbas ibn Firnas invented a flying machine which kept him in the air for ten minutes a thousand years before the Wright Brothers? A replica of the invention is being exhibited together with numerous other most surprising civilisational achievements from when Muslims were leading the world.
Examining a thousand years of missing history, 1001 Inventions brings to life historical inventions and innovations made by some of the greatest Muslim minds of all time, including:
· Discovering coffee and developing the art of coffee drinking
· Inventing the camera and using carpets for home insulation
· Paper, fountain pen, and using libraries to promote public learning
· Making soap and setting up public baths
· Formulating pills and making surgical tools
· Navigation devices and charting world maps
· Flying with wings and rocket flying
The exhibition is split into seven main zones: home, school, market, hospital, town, world and universe and aims to encourage, inspire and motivate British youth – in particular young people of the ethnic communities – to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology. It uses a range of multimedia, including graphical simulations, 3D animations and interactive replicas to bring to life the ingenious mechanical devices and automatic machines invented by Muslims.
1001 Inventions will visit key cities around the UK. It is supported by a concurrent events programme and educational resources, including a teacher’s pack, website www.1001inventions.com. |