On The Road manuscript on display

The manuscript has gone on display outside North America for the first time

The original manuscript of Jack Kerouac's classic novel On The Road has gone on display outside North America for the first time.

The novel, which Kerouac wrote in 20 days on a single 127ft-long scroll in 1951, became a symbol of the Beat Generation and made him a world star.

It has now gone on display at Birmingham's Barber Institute of Fine Arts following a North American tour.

The manuscript was bought for $2.43m (£1.59m) in 2001 by Jim Irsay.

Its unusual appearance was caused by Kerouac's fear that constantly having to put new sheets of paper in his typewriter would disrupt his inspiration.

50th anniversary

Instead he typed on eight 12-ft long reels of teletype paper which were taped together to form a single scroll.

The novel, which was almost entirely autobiographical, described the travels across the US of Kerouac and his friends, including fellow Beat writers Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs and Neal Cassady.

Jack Kerouac wrote the novel in just 20 days

In the published version their identities were disguised by pseudonyms but in the scroll their real names were used.

It portrayed their love of jazz, the US landscape, women and sexuality.

The exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the novel's publication and lasts until 28 January 2009.

As well as displaying the partially-unfurled scroll, it also features a selection of maps, photographs, album covers and memorabilia about the novel.

Prof Richard Ellis, of the University of Birmingham, which owns the Barber, said: "The scroll has iconic cultural status and it is a major coup for the University of Birmingham that we have managed to secure its first-ever appearance outside of North America here at the Barber Institute."

Ann Sumner, director of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, said: "A literary subject of this nature is a complete departure for the Barber, which is more accustomed to staging Fine Art exhibitions.

"We are delighted to be collaborating on, and hosting, this fascinating and unconventional show."