Fantastic Mr Ferranti

6 March – 9 May 2010

This electrifying exhibition tells the life story and celebrates the legacy of Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti. This prolific inventor and electrical engineer designed a street light by the age of 13 and patented his first electrical generator at just 16. In 1896 Ferranti chose a site in Hollinwood for his first factory and transformed the fortunes of the area.

Ferranti was at the forefront of developments in electrical transmission. The displays will give a fun and hands-on introduction to his ideas. It will also look at the products and people associated with the Hollinwood works.

The exhibition is part of the Local Heroes programme, celebrating 350 years of The Royal Society, of which Ferranti was a Fellow. It will feature several items on loan to us from the collections of MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester.