Located on the historic site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station, housed in five listed buildings, MOSI’s amazing galleries and outstanding collections tell the story of Manchester’s scientific and industrial past, present and future. The Museum uses its collections to tell the story of Manchester as the world's first industrial city. We mainly collect objects that were made or used in the Manchester area. We also hold archives relating to people and companies from the region. We collect items from the present, as well as the past, in order to portray Manchester's continuing story. The Museum's object collections range from familiar domestic appliances to unfamiliar manufacturing machinery and scientific instruments. We also collect vehicles, office equipment, models, memorabilia, awards, architectural materials, archaeological finds and, occasionally, works of art. Our collections of business and personal archives include minute books, letters, trade literature (such as catalogues and manuals), engineering drawings and photographs. We also collect textile samples and pattern books, prints, paintings and audiovisual and sound recordings, including oral and video histories. From the horse-drawn carriage to the motor car, Manchester vehicle makers catered for the luxury and economy ends of the markets. Despite the coming of the railway to Manchester in 1830, the horse remained part of the transport system for the next 100 years. Small-scale bicycle manufacture began in Manchester in the second half of the nineteenth century. This continues today, but most bicycles used here now are made elsewhere. In 1903 the DOT (Devoid of Trouble) company was founded to build road and competition motorbikes. DOT became well-known for manufacturing trials bikes and scramblers. Rolls-Royce was founded in Manchester in 1904 when Charles Rolls agreed to sell cars designed and made by Henry Royce. Ford set up Europe's first moving production line in Trafford Park, Manchester, in the summer of 1914. Between 1912 and 1923 the Ford Model T was Britain's best-selling car. The need to expand caused both Rolls-Royce and Ford to leave Manchester.

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Museum of Science and Industry Manchester 2023 Event Schedule