A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
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The most recent plaques:

A Faster Fax

In 1971, Iowa State electrical engineering doctoral student David Nicholas invented a process to more efficiently convert text into digital information. Facsimile machine manufacturers adopted the...

In 1971, Iowa State electrical engineering doctoral student David Nicholas invented a process to more efficiently convert text into digital information. Facsimile machine manufacturers adopted the...

    First Veterinary Medicine College

    In 1879, Iowa State University established the first public college of veterinary medicine in the United States. In 1903, Iowa State began offering the nation’s first four-year professional...

    In 1879, Iowa State University established the first public college of veterinary medicine in the United States. In 1903, Iowa State began offering the nation’s first four-year professional...

      First Artist-in- Residence

      Christian Petersen was the first artist-in-residence at a university in the United States when he sculpted at Iowa State from 1934 through 1955. Petersen is becoming recognized as one of the best...

      Christian Petersen was the first artist-in- residence at a university in the United States when he sculpted at Iowa State from 1934 through 1955. Petersen is becoming recognized as one of the best...

        Chemical Analysis Innovation

        "Pioneering work in inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy at Iowa State led to an analysis tool that's standard in thousands of laboratories worldwide. Developed in 1966 by professor and Ames...

        "Pioneering work in inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy at Iowa State led to an analysis tool that's standard in thousands of laboratories worldwide. Developed in 1966 by professor and...

          Innovative Baler

          Farmers were saved from the backbreaking chore of slinging hay bales in the 1960s when Iowa State agricultural engineering professor Wesley Buchele and a group of student researchers invented a...

          Farmers were saved from the backbreaking chore of slinging hay bales in the 1960s when Iowa State agricultural engineering professor Wesley Buchele and a group of student researchers invented...

            First Land-Grant Home Economics College

            In 1871, Iowa State became the first land-grant institution in the nation to teach "domestic science." In 1872, Mary B. Welch, wife of Iowa State President Adonijah Welch, became the first...

            In 1871, Iowa State became the first land-grant institution in the nation to teach "domestic science." In 1872, Mary B. Welch, wife of Iowa State President Adonijah Welch, became the...

              Birthplace of Cooperative Extension

              In 1903, the nation's first cooperative agricultural extension program was launched when Iowa State professor Perry Holden, a group of farmers in Sioux County, and the county's board of...

              In 1903, the nation's first cooperative agricultural extension program was launched when Iowa State professor Perry Holden, a group of farmers in Sioux County, and the county's board...

                World's Hardiest Roses

                Revered by rose lovers, legendary Iowa State University horticulturist Griffith Buck developed more than 90 rose varieties from the late 1940s to his retirement in 1985. His roses are considered...

                Revered by rose lovers, legendary Iowa State University horticulturist Griffith Buck developed more than 90 rose varieties from the late 1940s to his retirement in 1985. His roses are...

                  Finest Blue Cheese

                  Iowa State is home to the process that produces the world's finest blue cheese. In 1937, Iowa State dairy microbiology professors Clarence Lane and Bernard Hammer developed a blue cheese process...

                  Iowa State is home to the process that produces the world's finest blue cheese. In 1937, Iowa State dairy microbiology professors Clarence Lane and Bernard Hammer developed a blue cheese...

                    First Water Tower West of the Mississippi

                    The 168-foot-tall Marston Water Tower was the first elevated steel water tank west of the Mississippi River when it was erected in 1897. It is named for Anson Marston, Iowa State's first...

                    The 168-foot-tall Marston Water Tower was the first elevated steel water tank west of the Mississippi River when it was erected in 1897. It is named for Anson Marston, Iowa State's...

                      Fremont Peak Memorial

                      Fremont Peak Memorial The American flag was first raised on California soil March 4, 1846 on this spot by General John C. Fremont Placed by Native Daughters of the Golden West San Juan Bautista...

                      Fremont Peak Memorial The American flag was first raised on California soil March 4, 1846 on this spot by General John C. Fremont Placed by Native Daughters of the Golden West San Juan...

                      • fremont
                      • civil war
                      • flag
                      • california

                      Alta Bates Hospital

                      Alta Bates Hospital Founded 1905 by Miss Alta A. M. Bates Nurse * Teacher * Humanitarian  Dedication 1975 Site of a Time Capsule Perpetuating Alta Bates' Concern for Care Submitted by @jqmcd 

                      Alta Bates Hospital Founded 1905 by Miss Alta A. M. Bates Nurse * Teacher * Humanitarian  Dedication 1975 Site of a Time Capsule Perpetuating Alta Bates' Concern for Care Submitted by @jqmcd 

                      • berkeley
                      • california
                      • bay area
                      • hospital
                      • bates
                      • 1905
                      • time capsule

                      Description of motivation behind topiaries

                      Four topiaries depicting dancers are stationed at the entrances (two for each) of the seminar room at the Horizon Village Resort, Chiang Mai. This plaque appears on two of the topiaries; the other...

                      Four topiaries depicting dancers are stationed at the entrances (two for each) of the seminar room at the Horizon Village Resort, Chiang Mai. This plaque appears on two of the topiaries; the...

                      • topiary
                      • artist
                      • dancer
                      • thailand

                      Sidney Rudy Waterfront Park

                      SIDNEY RUDY WATERFRONT PARK DEDICATED FEBRUARY 26, 1981

                      SIDNEY RUDY WATERFRONT PARK DEDICATED FEBRUARY 26, 1981

                      • san francisco
                      • bay area
                      • california
                      • park

                      The Bay Trail

                      THE BAY TRAIL  The San Francisco Bay Train, a 400-mile network, provides public access to the Bay shoreline not possible since the Gold Rush. It was State Senator Bill Lockyer, in 1987, who...

                      THE BAY TRAIL  The San Francisco Bay Train, a 400-mile network, provides public access to the Bay shoreline not possible since the Gold Rush. It was State Senator Bill Lockyer, in 1987,...

                      • san francisco
                      • bay area
                      • california
                      • bay
                      • shoreline

                      1894 Sod House

                      Submitted by @AllisonCMeier , more pics at https://twitter.com/AllisonCMeier/status/767040277286494208

                      Submitted by @AllisonCMeier , more pics at https:/ /twitter.com/AllisonCMeier/status/7670402772864942 08

                      • oklahoma
                      • sod house
                      • homesteader

                      Montgomery North

                      MONTGOMERY NORTH ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION LATE 1800s & EARLY 1900s  RECONSTRUCTED IN 1973

                      MONTGOMERY NORTH ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION LATE 1800s & EARLY 1900s  RECONSTRUCTED IN 1973

                      • montgomery
                      • north
                      • san francisco
                      • california
                      • bay area

                      Birthplace of Alexander Graham Bell

                      ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL Inventor of the Telephone Was born here 3rd March 1847 Submitted by @slashdotat 

                      ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL Inventor of the Telephone Was born here 3rd March 1847 Submitted by @slashdotat 

                      • alexander gr...
                      • telephone
                      • edinburgh
                      • scotland

                      Library Boy and Girl

                      Artist: Christian Petersen (Danish-American, 1885-1961) Title: Library Boy and Girl 2008 casts from 1944 plaster maquettes Media: Bronze   Petersen's Library Boy and Girl depict two students...

                      Artist: Christian Petersen (Danish-American, 1885-1961) Title: Library Boy and Girl 2008 casts from 1944 plaster maquettes Media: Bronze   Petersen's Library Boy and Girl depict two students...

                      • art sculpture

                      First Statistical Laboratory in the US

                      Iowa State University First Statistical Laboratory Established in 1933, the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State was the first research and consulting institute of its kind in the country.  Early...

                      Iowa State University First Statistical Laboratory Established in 1933, the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State was the first research and consulting institute of its kind in the country. ...