ROME – From Friday, the Vittoriano e Palazzo Venezia (VIVE) welcomes a new exhibition focussed on the professional and personal life of Italy’s favourite scientist – Guglielmo Marconi.

A comprehensive, multimedia experience, Guglielmo Marconi: Vedere l’Invisibile (‘Seeing the Invisible’) celebrates the ‘kaleidoscopic figure’ of Italian history whose invention of wireless technology – and, by extension, the radio – propelled him to international fame at the start of the 20^th century. The exhibition designers’ hopes are also that the display ‘finally humanises him’, shedding light on the interesting private life of the Nobel Prize winner.

 Those that conceived Vedere l’Invisibile fear the disappearance of Marconi’s legacy from popular knowledge, particularly amongst young people, who are largely unaware of the impact of his discoveries in wireless technology. In a video recorded specially for the exhibition’s opening conference, the BBC’s Head of History Robert Seatter registered his appraisal of the Italian inventor: ‘without Marconi there would be no BBC’. Subsequent technology, from television to Bluetooth to satellite systems, are all indebted to the work of Marconi.

It was the distress signals used to rescue the remaining passengers of the Titanic in 1912 that made him a household name. ‘Those who have been saved, have been saved through one man, Mr. Marconi ... and his marvellous invention’, praised Britain’s Postmaster General after the tragedy. After this unfolded a professional life of astounding success, being raised to a Senator in the Kingdom of Italy and later co-founding what would become RAI.

 Vedere l’Invisibile is divided into eight sections and guides the visitor through a plethora of documents, photos, artifacts and footage that reveal the adventurous and ambitious spirit of Marconi. 34 institutions from a variety of countries have lent material to the collection, with a significant contribution from Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries, amongst others.  

 Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Cinecittà, and the Marconi Committee, Vedere l’Invisibile is an exhibition that will not only deepen the visitor’s appreciation of Marconi’s lifework, but also show them the history of innovation that precedes the technology of modern day.

 dabj