Which famous Dundonians should be the first to be immortalized in bronze on the city’s huge new waterfront development?
That’s the question being posed by a public consultation exercise launched today to help choose the first plaques for the new “Discovery Walk” project.
Discovery Walk, which is supported by the Dundee Waterfront Project, will celebrate Dundee’s contribution to science and society with specially commissioned bronze plaques.
The plaques will be set into the pavement in the open space area of the newly-named Slessor Gardens at the heart of the Waterfront development, .
The plaques will give clues to the fascinating stories of individuals whose discoveries and inventions have made many important and exciting contributions to modern life.
The group behind Discovery Walk has identified 14 nominees who could be commemorated, and is asking the public to help choose the first nine that will be commissioned and installed later this year.
The group has set up an online poll on the Dundee One City Many Discoveries Facebook page for people to record their preferences: http://tinyurl/12v3apq or alternatively via http://www.dundee.com or by email to: discovery.walk@dundeecity.co.uk
Among the nominees are inventors, scientists, philanthropists, engineers, and artists from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of them are not well known to the public and have not been widely recognised for their work in the city – this project aims to show as wide a range of Dundee’s contributions to science as possible.
The criteria for selection were that the nominees must be deceased, and must have been born or spent much of their lives in Dundee. They must have made a notable or influential discovery either in Dundee or clearly linked to the city.
Discovery Walk is the brainchild of Kelly Marr, an Australian who has made Dundee her home.
Kelly commented: “I was inspired by the famous Writers’ Walk around Sydney Harbour celebrating more than 50 writers either from or associated with Australia in some way.
“During the last 20 years I would hear about some of the great innovations that were made in Dundee, and I always felt that it was a great shame that such achievements were not celebrated publicly. Discovery Walk will ensure that this part of the city\'s heritage is never forgotten, and it will mean the city can take an enormous pride in the people that are celebrated.\"
Dundee-based artist and illustrator Suzanne Scott, who works under the name WhimSicAL LusH, has been commissioned to design the first nine plaques. Suzanne has exhibited all over Scotland and her unique illustrations have featured in widely sold prints, stationary, mugs and jewellery.
Suzanne said: “\"I am beyond delighted to have been asked to be a part of this exciting and interesting project. To have my work be part of the Dundee Waterfront is such an honour. I was born in Dundee and came back to live here 15 years ago. I never left as it is a beautiful and inspiring city, which I am proud to live in.”
The Discovery Walk project is being steered by a group comprising representatives of Dundee City Council, Abertay Historical Society, Abertay University, University of Dundee, Dundee Science Centre and Axis Shield Diagnostics.
For media enquiries, please contact Kevin Coe, Abertay University – T: 01382 308452 M: 07850 904110 E: k.coe@abertay.ac.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The nominees for the first phase of Discovery Walk are:
Mary Ann Baxter 1801 - 1884 - A profoundly influential supporter of education for women and men, Baxter’s generous financial backing enabled the establishment of University College, Dundee, now the University of Dundee. She was instrumental in the creation of Baxter Park and supported a wide range of church and health initiatives in Dundee.
James Chalmers 1782 - 1853 - This highly respected Arbroath-born printer and publisher became an avid campaigner for improvements to Britain’s postal system. He is regarded as the originator of the concept of adhesive postage stamps and franking, which would later be adopted throughout the postal systems of the world.
Geofrey Dutton 1924 - 2010 - As a scientist, his revolutionary work on how the body deals with toxic chemicals helped to save many lives and establish Dundee as a world leader in biomedical sciences. Outside science, his poetry and prose about Scotland’s landscape and people, and about his garden, won him even wider fame.
Alfred Ewing 1855 - 1935 - An exceptional scientist, this son of Dundee pioneered seismology, social reform, codebreaking and the sciences of magnetism and metal fatigue. His work on the magnetic phenomenon of hysteresis paved the way for many modern technologies including electrical transformers, magnetic tape, computer hard drives, and credit cards.
Margaret Fairlie 1891 - 1963 - Among the first female graduates in medicine, Fairlie was a distinguished Dundee clinician and inspirational teacher who pioneered the use of radium in the treatment of malignant gynaecological diseases in Scotland. She became the first woman to hold a chair in a Scottish university when appointed Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
James Bowman Lindsay 1799 - 1862 - Lindsay studied theology, mathematics and physical science at St Andrews University. He went on to investigate electric light, and in Dundee in 1835 gave the first demonstration of an incandescent lamp that was practical, constant, and useable for reading. His innovative work on underwater telegraphy received praise from Faraday and Marconi.
R D Low 1895 - 1980 - As a writer, working with artist Dudley Watkins, Low created the iconic Oor Wullie and The Broons cartoon strips that have appeared in every Sunday Post newspaper since 1936. As editor, he launched two of the world’s longest-running comics – The Dandy and The Beano – along with many other famous titles.
George Lowdon 1825 - 1912 - This pioneering inventor and instrument maker was renowned for building a “jumbo microscope”. He manufactured telescopes and was integral in further developing the stereoscope while patenting the first fixed-focus folding pocket camera (Eclipse). He also introduced the first working dynamos and lamps to Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Thomas MacLagan 1838 - 1903 - Was in charge of Dundee Royal Infirmary when many deadly diseases were rife amongst the expanding populations of industrial cities. MacLagan reduced the mortality rate in DRI with his meticulous patient care methods and pioneering use of thermometers. His studies of natural remedies contributed to the development of aspirin.
George A Pirie 1863 - 1929 - This Dundee doctor was one of the first in the world to use X-rays in medicine, although his prolonged exposure severely damaged his health. He was one of the international innovators honoured in the 1936 Hamburg memorial: “They were heroic pioneers for a safe and successful application of X-rays to medicine. The fame of their deeds is immortal.”
James F Riley 1912 - 1985 - Working as a radiologist in Dundee Royal Infirmary in the 1950s, Riley discovered that mast cells are responsible for the release of histamine and therefore form a vital part of the immune system, work that contributed greatly to understanding allergic conditions such as asthma and anaphylactic shock.
Walter Spear 1921 - 2008 & Peter Le Comber 1941 - 1991 - This brilliant duo’s research into amorphous semiconductors at the University of Dundee in the 1970s produced the world’s first amorphous silicon thin-film transistor. They went on to demonstrate its use in liquid crystal displays – technology at the heart of every mobile phone, computer monitor, flatscreen TV and solar panel in the world.
D’Arcy Thompson 1860 - 1948 - This pioneer of life sciences was one of the great interdisciplinary thinkers of his time. His book ‘On Growth and Form’ (1917) pioneered the science of biomathematics and is hailed as “the greatest work of prose in twentieth century science”. It has influenced scientists, artists, architects and engineers around the world.
Mary Lily Walker 1863 - 1913 - A pioneering social reformer, who worked tirelessly to improve conditions for women and children working in Dundee’s slums. Born in the city, she became one of the first students at what is now the University of Dundee, and applied her analytical skills to improve the quality of life of the city’s poorest people.
SUZANNE SCOTT - For more about Suzanne Scott and her work, or for upcoming events, please look up WhimSicAL LusH on Facebook, Twitter and the WhimSicAL LusH Blog. You can also purchase work from the WhimSicAL LusH Etsy Shop.
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