The Danish Museum of Science and Technology

At the Danish Museum of Science and Technology (abbreviated in danish to DTM), the objects on display are the source of stories – from the earliest inventions to a peek into a possible future.

An example of this is Denmark’s history of innovation, presenting both a historical and current look at how Denmark has become one of the world’s leading high-tech societies. Just as the number of new patents can be viewed as an indicator of how innovative a society is, the Danish history of patents tells the story of the groundbreaking Danish inventions and industrial breakthroughs of the 20th century, as well as the story of the pioneers behind them.
“Denmark’s history of innovation is unknown to the broad modern audience, despite the fact that the need for and interest in the subject has never been greater. We have a wholly unique collection of prototypes and models, that are not just historically valuable, but might also serve as a strong tool for those wanting to know more about entrepreneurship and innovation. That is why I’m glad that we can now activate our collection on a digital platform,” says Jesper Buris Larsen, director of the Danish Museum of Science and Technology.

The Otto Mønsted Foundation decided to support DTM’s initiative to develop a digital platform for the history of Danish patents and innovation.

The development of an open digital platform for the collection of patents began in February 2018. The purpose was to systemizing the entire collection and thus create both a relatable and socially relevant frame through with the collection’s potential can be unfolded in a greater context for a modern audience.

The collection consists of more than 2,500 prototypes, handed in alongside patent applications from 1894-1994. Of these, around 400 known and less known examples are showcased as exhibits. From the iconic successes, such as the first LEGO brick, the folded lampshades of Le Klint and the egg trays of Brdr. Hartmann, to the optimistic amateur’s attempt to realize a dream of having their – more or less – brilliant ideas recognized. Please find more information about the inventions here.

The platform will be used by businesses, educational institutions as well as the public at large.

www.tekniskmuseum.dk

Ved Danmarks Tekniske Museum (DTM) er genstandene omdrejningspunktet for fortællingerne – fra de første tekniske opfindelser til forestillingen om hvad der måske venter i fremtiden.

Et eksempel på dette er dansk innovationshistorie, der præsenterer et historisk og nutidigt perspektiv på, hvordan Danmark er blevet et af verdens førende højteknologiske samfund. Ligesom i dag, hvor antallet af nye patenter er en indikator for et samfunds innovationskraft, så fortæller dansk patenthistorie om det 20. århundredes banebrydende danske opfindelser og industrielle nybrud, samt pionererne bag.

”Danmarks innovationshistorie er i dag ufortalt for et bredere publikum på trods af, at behovet og interessen aldrig har været større. Vi står med en helt unik samling af prototyper og modeller, der ikke bare er af nationalhistorisk værdi, men også kan blive et stærkt værktøj for alle, der vil vide noget om iværksætteri og innovation. Derfor glæder det mig, at vi nu kan aktivere samlingen på en digital platform”, fortæller Jesper Buris Larsen, direktør for Danmarks Tekniske Museum.

Otto Mønsteds Fond besluttede at støtte op om DTM`s initiativ til udviklingen af en digital platform for dansk patent- og innovationshistorie.

I februar 2018 begyndte udviklingen af en åben digital platform for patentsamlingen, med det formål at systematisere hele patentsamlingen, og hermed skabe en samfundsrelevant og vedkommende ramme, der udfolder samlingens potentiale i et større kontekst for et nutidigt publikum.

Samlingen består af mere end 2.500 prototyper, der er indleveret i forbindelse med patentansøgninger fra 1894-1994. Hvoraf knap 400 kendte og mindre kendte eksempler er udstillet i montrer. Fra de ikoniske industrisucceser, som dem første LEGO-klods, Le Klints foldede lampeskærme og Brdr. Hartmanns æggebakker, til den optimistiske amatørs forsøg på at realisere en drøm om at få anerkendt deres mere eller mindre geniale ideer. Læs om flere af opfindelserne her.

Platformen skal fremover kunne anvendes af bl.a. virksomheder, videns- og uddannelsesinstitutioner, samt offentligheden i øvrigt.