The Korean Intellectual Property Office announced on June 30 that it will hold a special exhibition titled "Independence and Invention," highlighting inventors who contributed to Korea's independence, at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno-gu, Seoul, from June 30 to August 31.
The exhibition is being held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation and the 60th anniversary of Invention Day. Visitors will be able to see items such as the "Horsehair Hat" invented by Jeong Inho, the first Korean patent holder, and the "Bamboo Curtain" invented by Kwon Doin, the first Korean to file a U.S. patent application.
The Korean Intellectual Property Office first held the exhibition on May 15 at the Hall of Inventors on the first floor of the Government Complex Daejeon, sharing the stories of independence patriots who dreamed of and realized national independence through invention with visitors.
The exhibition is now being held as a traveling exhibition at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, allowing more people to learn about the stories of independence patriots who were also inventors.
The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is a major exhibition hall where visitors can get an overview of Korea’s modern and contemporary history. Located in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, it attracts a large number of domestic and international visitors year-round.
This exhibition is significant in that it highlights how "invention" was not merely a technological innovation, but also a practical means of pursuing independence during the Japanese occupation, offering visitors a new perspective where history and invention intersect.
The exhibition features five independence patriots who were also inventors: Jeong Inho, who became the first Korean patent holder with his invention of the horsehair hat; Kwon Doin, who invented the bamboo curtain in Hawaii, established a business, and donated his profits to the independence movement; Kang Youngseung, who developed a glutinous rice taffy candy; Jang Yeonsong, who advocated for Joseon’s independence through everyday inventions and writing; and Park Youngro, who invented a fishing rod.
The exhibition presents the achievements of these pioneers alongside their representative inventions, conveying the historical significance of their contributions.
Kim Wanki, Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office, stated, "This special exhibition is meaningful in that it demonstrates how the creative activity of invention was closely connected to the historical practice of the independence movement. I hope that many people will have the valuable opportunity to remember the past and imagine the future through this exhibition."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
