The new website was produced by Thinktank in conjunction with Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery © Thinktank Trust

Birmingham’s science and industry collections are featured on a brand new website, launched by Thinktank and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

The Birmingham Stories website showcases artefacts from the city’s collections and tells stories about its past.

It aims to promote public access to the Designated Birmingham science and industry collection. The designation scheme identifies collections of national and international importance in the country’s non-national museums.

The project has been funded by a £124,000 grant from the Museums Libraries and Archives Council and highlights the importance of Birmingham as a manufacturing centre throughout the centuries.

Flintlock Pistols circa 1766-1800 © Thinktank Trust

Digital galleries, movie clips and interactive quizzes are divided into four zones – Made in Birmingham; Workshop of the War; Great Inventions for Everyday Life; and Fascinating Objects.

The website charts the history of manufacturing and industry in Birmingham right back to Medieval times when the burgeoning town was famous for its metalworking industries.

Throughout history England’s second city has earned a reputation for being the ‘workshop of the world’. It has been a centre for manufacturing guns, pens, needles, aeroplanes, clocks, steam engines and cars.

Birmingham Tramcar No.365 © Thinktank Trust

Probably most importantly though, Birmingham continues to boast one of the largest concentrations of dedicated jewellers in the world and has done since the early 1700s.

Everything from the first fridges to the earliest electric vacuum cleaners are featured on the site and there is also an educational section for teachers.

To find out more visit Birmingham Stories at www.birminghamstories.co.uk.