York Science and Innovation Grand Tour Latest

There’s going to be a stunning celebration and promotion of the City of York’s achievements in science and innovation.

Up to 100 large-format, science and innovation themed, educational, fun and compelling images and messages in prime locations around the city during the summer of 2012.

This compelling blaze of artistic colour will lure visitors towards some amazing stories. The people of York have made huge contributions to everything from
astronomy and the science of flight to geology and, more recently, biology, medicine and information technology.

Catering for all levels of interest and knowledge, each image will have a QR code which acts like a barcode for mobile devices. Those with smart phones will be able to
scan the code and find out more about the image, the story and the great people responsible for it.

York has an amazing strength and reputation in science, technology and innovation, continually transforming the economy in and around York for centuries. York people
and businesses are outstandingly entrepreneurial and enterprising, and York can be proud of many global and groundbreaking achievements. Here are just a few of the amazing organisations taking part:

Aviva, Bootham School, BSC Filters, IPEM, Nestle, Portakabin, Saville Audio Visual, SCY, My Science.co, Smith & Nephew, The University of York, York Against Cancer,
York College, York Racecourse, York Science Park, York St John University, York Philosophical Society, York Archeological Society, Yorkshire Cancer Research,
Yorkshire Air Museum.

Already a guaranteed success with over 50 exhibits now agreed, the York Science and Innovation Grand Tour is on target to achieve its mission of showcasing York as
a leading international centre for science and technology.

Some of the amazing stories you can discover include:

Did you know?

A teenager from York developed one of the main techniques for measuring the size of our universe. Unable to hear or speak, John Goodricke carried out his astronomical work in the Treasurer’s House behind York Minster, and died at the age of 21.

York plant biologists have developed new varieties of a medicinal plant that cures malaria.

Born in York in 1800, William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, was the first to identify galaxies of billions of stars outside of our own Milky Way.

The liquid crystals in the eyepieces of digital cameras were developed by scientists now working in York.

The materials used for the wide angle viewing for computer monitors were discovered by scientists now working in York.

Several new states of matter, other than liquids, solids and gases, were discovered by scientists based in York.

Two Royal Society Fellows, whose research has contributed to your LCD monitors and TVs, are based in York.

For more information about the Science and Innovation Grand Tour, click here.