Event recalls Einstein's genius

Brian Eno was one of the famous contributors to the exhibition

Famous figures have taken part in an unusual "blackboard" exhibition in Oxford to mark Einstein Year.

When Einstein visited Oxford University in 1931 he covered a board with equations during one of his lectures.

The board was preserved and will be displayed in the exhibition alongside blackboards written on by people such as Tony Benn, Brian Eno and Jon Snow.

It is 100 years since Einstein's "miraculous year" in which he published three revolutionary papers.

We've brought together people from all walks of public life and with different interests, all expressing something that's important to them Dr Jim Bennett

For the "Bye bye blackboard...from Einstein and others" exhibition each person was allowed to chose the subject they wrote about.

The Rt Reverend Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford, used his board to explore the science of cloning while Glenda Jackson wrote about women's right to vote.

Dr Jim Bennett, director of the Museum of the History of Science where the event is being held, said: "What's fascinating about this exhibition is the different approaches taken to the design of these blackboards.

"We've brought together people from all walks of public life and with different interests, all expressing something that's important to them.

"This is an exhibition about science and celebrity, but also about nostalgia, since the blackboard is fast disappearing from meetings, classes and lectures."