Transport museum goes green with new display

November 20, 2019 | Culture

Glasgow’s Riverside Museum has unveiled a new display inspired by the achievements of one of Scotland’s most influential inventors, James Watt.

Going Green – The Drive for Energy Efficiency, sponsored by Aggreko, considers James Watt’s pioneering spirit and his legacy in a modern-day context, where the desire to be increasingly energy efficient to combat climate change is ever-present.

Over 250 years ago the Greenock-born scientist James Watt invented a device called a ‘separate condenser’.

After years of experimentation, and persevering where others had failed, he successfully adapted existing technology and radically reduced the amount of coal required to drive a steam engine. In doing so he not only greatly improved energy efficiency, but helped shape our modern industrial world.

Going Green – The Drive for Energy Efficiency connects today’s global pressing need for renewable energies and inventions that reduce our reliance on finite fuels with James Watt’s inventions, which saved large amounts of fossil fuels.

The centrepiece is a Tesla Model S P85+, believed to be the first Tesla acquired by a public museum in Scotland. The pioneering car, gifted to the city by Chris Clarkson, is a stunning and technologically important car, which represents a new dawn in electric vehicle development.

One section of the new display Driving Out Emissions considers how revolutionary changes in transport and the development of more environmentally friendly vehicles can reduce emissions and assist in tackling climate change.

Boasting a raft of innovative features and impressive technology, the Tesla Model S can travel 242 miles on one charge, at a cost of around £9. It can reach 0-60mph in 4 seconds, be controlled from the owner’s smart phone and convert from a 5 to 7-seater family car.

(From left to right) Professor James Watt chair Colin McInnes, Charlie Collins, Chris Clarkson, Aggreko head of new product innovation David McDonald and Professor of engineering science and curator of transport and technology Neil Johnson-Symington (Photo: Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Alongside the Tesla is a rare Honda Insight Mk1 from 2000. Donated by Charles Collins, it is one of only 239 Mk1s sold in the UK and was the first hybrid car to be acquired for the city’s renowned Transport and Travel collection.

Its inclusion in the display opens up a discussion on different power sources, from coal and quartz to wind and water and the ability to consume less of one by using more of another, as illustrated by the hybrid Honda which combines a conventional petrol engine with an electric motor.

Going Green – The Drive for Energy Efficiency shows the concern for our world is universal, while highlighting that we can all make a positive difference to planet Earth. The display considers how we test air quality, monitor oceans and make personal statements about the environmental dangers our world faces. James Watt, founder of Scottish craft beer company Brewdog, donated artwork from their Make Earth Great Again (mega) beer and a bottle of it too.

James Watt, founder of Brewdog, said: ‘From the moment America decided to withdraw from the Paris Accord our planet has been on the clock – so we brewed a beer to remind global leaders to prioritise issues relate to Climate Change.’

Neil Johnson-Symington, curator of Transport and Technology with Glasgow Museums said: ‘The inventor James Watt was full of ambition from the beginning. A determined, gifted engineer who changed our world forever, he has been honoured across the globe. As this new display shows his legacy lives on. It is also a wonderful demonstration of our commitment to contemporary collecting.

‘We are very grateful to Aggreko for their support in enabling us to realise this fantastic new display. Everyone agrees new ways of powering our nation are needed. It is our hope Going Green – The Drive for Energy Efficiency will challenge young minds to think like James Watt and go on and make a fundamental difference to the future of our planet.’

Professor of engineering science and curator of transport and technology Neil Johnson-Symington with a bottle of Make Earth Great Again beer, donated by Brewdog founder James Watt (Photo: Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Robert Wells, managing director of Aggreko Events Services, said: ‘We are proud to be a part of this project at a time when reducing carbon emissions is a priority for all. We are always looking for ways to help our customers cut their carbon footprint, and we look to previous innovators such as James Watt for inspiration.’

Chris Clarkson, who donated the Tesla, and Charles Collins, who donated the Honda, visited the museum to unveil the new display. They were joined by Professor Colin McInnes, James Watt Chair, Professor of Engineering Science and curator of Transport and Technology Neil Johnson-Symington.

Chris said: ‘It’s wonderful to see the Tesla take its place in the new display, my family really enjoyed our time with this incredible machine and it’s exciting to see a car of the future now take up its place in history.

‘My family and I love visiting the transport museum. They do a wonderful job of using interesting objects to tell important stories, such as the dangers of climate change and why we need to develop more environmentally friendly, fuel efficient vehicles.’

The new display will also feature a short film which relates to themes of energy efficiency and environmental monitoring as well as bringing to life the many diverse objects in Going Green – The Drive for Energy Efficiency.

Watt died in 1819 aged 83. Since 1882 he has been honoured all over the world in the name of the SI unit of power. In 2011 he was immortalised on the £50 note alongside his business partner Matthew Boulton, this was the first time two people have featured on the back of an English banknote.

Going Green – The Drive for Energy Efficiency is now open, it is located on the ground floor of Riverside Museum as you enter from the car park.