THE golden age of British invention and industry is being celebrated in Anita Chowdry’s Iron Genie exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science, at the Old Ashmolean building, Broad Street.

Ms Chowdry’s handcrafted metal harmonograph creates works of art using the motion of pendulums and pays homage to Victorian inventors such as Charles Babbage.

The 55-year-old artist from London said: “It raises some really interesting points about whether the art created by a machine is as valid as the art created by a human being.

“I think it’s interesting to look at inventions from the past which have inspired things we used today in our everyday lives.”

The first harmonograph was designed at Manchester University in the 1840s and was a popular fixture of science clubs until the early 20th century. It can create works of art using mathematical formulas, some of which are on display at the exhibition.

The exhibition runs until September 21 and entry is free.

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