Discovering more than a century of technological innovation through the history of local entrepreneurship.
The Waterloo Region Museum : Unconventional Thinking: Innovation in Waterloo Region
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Services
Media Design, Art Direction, UX /UI Design, Interactive Media, Film shoot, Editing, Sound Design, Print Design.
Industry
Museum
2011
Introduction
Unconventional Thinking: Innovation in Waterloo Region was the first major feature exhibit curated by the Waterloo Region Museum, coinciding with the official opening of the museum in November of 2011.
The exhibit explored the process of innovation - how an invention gets to market or sometimes fails to get beyond the drawing board - and the many stories of innovation in Waterloo Region. Visitors discovered what makes Waterloo Region a hotbed of innovation. As a community, people living and working in the area have developed and embraced innovative ideas including solutions to old problems, high-tech electronics or social programs. It is this culture of creativity and invention that sets Waterloo Region apart as a centre of innovation in Ontario. From the LeRoy (the first Canadian production automobile), agricultural innovations, to our connection to the Lee-Enfield Rifle, blue box recycling and, of course, the BlackBerry, Waterloo Region has a rich story of innovation that continues to this day.
Nyctosaurus
The Innovation Den
Visitors can sit through a series of six "pitches", and vote alongside other viewers, which patented inventions they believe were successful enough to move into production.
The Requirements
Discover the entrepreneurial spirit of Waterloo's past with this interactive group activity. Our Dragon's Den-inspired game lets you step into the shoes of real inventors who submitted patents for their inventions. Visitors get to experience the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and vote on which patent went on to succeed and be produced, while also learning about innovation in Waterloo Region.
Scripts for each Innovator/Invention were developed by the museum team. Following their tongue in cheek approach to the content, the final animations were a combination of motion graphics and live action that utilised a whimsical and light hearted method to convey the information. Shot on site with actors who were also the museum's docents, made the exhibit particularly entertaining as well as informative.
The Response
The Result
The Unconventional Thinking: Innovation in Waterloo Region exhibit, though temporary, remained on display until 2013. Wildly successful, the Innovation Den was particularly popular and enjoyed by many visitors while on display. We are proud to have been part of the inaugural exhibits in the museum's history,
Electrohome Ltd has a long history of innovation in the City of Kitchener. Arthur Pollock founded the company (1907) under the name ‘Pollock Manufacturing’ to manufacture phonographs. Renamed Dominion Electrohome Industries Ltd in 1933, the firm manufactured small appliances, radios, and electric motors.
Circa 75 - A Brief History
This console is a combination radio-turntable-intercom-television-telephone prototype, called the “Circa 75”. For 1967, this unit was ahead of its time, although it ultimately did not go into production. Connected to a control chair, the console allowed the user to do everything: answer the door, order groceries via video phone, listen to music wired throughout the house, and speak via intercom.
The Innovation Den
Various stills
Harriet Ada Cummings Animation
The Innovation Den
Visitors can sit through a series of six "pitches", and vote alongside other viewers, which patented inventions they believe were successful enough to move into production.
Various stills
Interior main hall
Charles Ziegler Animation
The Innovation Den
Visitors can sit through a series of six "pitches", and vote alongside other viewers, which patented inventions they believe were successful enough to move into production.
