THE September open meeting of Crediton and District U3A (University of the Third Age) included a highly amusing talk by the witty Professor Ian Barclay entitled “Why did they invent that?”

The audience laughed as we were treated to information and images about some inventions that didn’t become too popular such as the electric corset and the phonograph to train your pet parrot to talk!

Who knew that the first person to invent a dog collar that opened up a dog flap was Denis the Menace for his dog Gnasher? (When a patent was applied for at a later date for an electronic dog collar it was refused as Denis had already invented it!)

The audience also took part in a quiz to test our knowledge about inventions and had to identify some machines. We discovered that only 100 years ago more than 90 per cent of inventions were by private individuals while today the same percentage of inventions are a corporate venture – how things have changed.

An excellent, engaging talk, Professor – thank you.

The next Open Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 17 at the Boniface Centre (doors open at 9.30am for a 10.15am start).

The meeting will include a talk to be given by Dr Todd Gray entitled “The rise and fall of Mosley’s Blackshirts in Crediton and Devon”.

The following month (Wednesday, November 21) will include a talk by Sir Neil Butterfield on “Crime and Punishment”.

For more information please visit the website: U3asites.org.uk/crediton or telephone David Agasee (chair) on 01363 775698.

Jo Poulton