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Derby Leasing

Did You Know?

Derby’s history of innovation is to be marked by a new, £17m Museum of Making. Within the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the site of the world’s first factory, the museum will profile the city’s 300-year history of “making”, displaying over 50,000 objects.

Florence Nightingale born on May 12, 1820, the nursing pioneer spent her early years in Derbyshire, where her family owned a large estate. She became a part of an augmented reality installation, which superimposed a computer-generated image of 10 famous names at locations across Derby city centre.

Its bells are the oldest set of 10 bells in the world, one of which was cast in 1520 during the reign of Henry VIII, and is still in use almost 500 years later (making it one of the oldest working objects in Derby). Among its many treasures are the tomb of Bess of Hardwick – designed by the powerful lady herself – and the intricate Bakewell Screen.

Joseph Wright of Derby was one of the most important painters of the late 18th century, whose paintings grace the walls of world-famous galleries in St Petersburg, New York, London and Australia – but it’s Derby which houses the world’s largest collection of Joseph Wright paintings at the Museum & Art Gallery.

Who knew that Derby was the home of the inventor of this legendary American snack, but that’s the claim for Harry M Stevens, who put his catering skills to use after immigrating to the USA in the 1800s. Credited with designing the baseball scorecard, and with pioneering soda drinking through a paper straw, the story goes that he came up with the idea of putting ‘dachshund’ sausages into rolls to warm up fans at his baseball concession in New York.

We know she’s a fictional video game character of course, but she was created by Derby-based game studio Core Design. So beloved in her hometown, near the city you’ll find Lara Croft Way. The road name was chosen by public vote when the new traffic system was created in 2010.

Derby Arboretum is known for being England’s first public park but it’s also been cited as the inspiration for New York’s Central Park. Frederick Law Olmstead visited the grade II listed area in 1859 and incorporated some of the features into his design for the famed American city park.

Throughout the 18th century, Derby brought together some of brightest minds out there in art and philosophy that would inspire scientific and technological breakthroughs. This included Erasmus Darwin (grandfather of Charles) who founded the Derby Philosophical Society, famed clockmaker and founder of the Lunar Society John Whitehurst.

You may be aware that Rolls Royce is Derby’s employer and it’s likely you’re aware of their very prestigious cars. However, a fun fact is Rolls Royce are now more known for being one of the UK’s leading suppliers of engines.

Derby is lucky to be in reasonably close proximity to the Peak District. Central England’s beautiful public park spans over 250 miles of glorious green space and is home to over 50 reservoirs – just the spot for a weekend country walk.