Black swans, bile beans and x-ray spectacles: Perth’s innovative history

Discover Perth’s inventive past through colourful trademarks and creative patents from the early 20th century.

Step into a kaleidoscope of colour, creatures, icons and ideas from the trademarks and patents preserved in the national archival collection

Discover why Western Australians once turned to pink pills, Bile Beans and Sproull’s Neurine — and what these remedies reveal aboutPerth’s past.

From household names like Coca-Cola and Uncle Tobys to curious inventions such as X-ray spectacles and self-supporting trousers, these records capture the imaginations and concerns of Australians at the turn of the century.

This free event connects to our touring exhibition Disrupt, persist, invent: Australians in an ever-changing world, now on show at our Western Australia Office and open to explore after the event.

This event is part of the Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival.

Images: NAA: A13136, 840; NAA: A11802, 568 – 569; NAA: A11802, 2938; NAA: A11802, 110; NAA: A11802, 962; NAA: A11802, 3177; NAA: A13136, 2209.