The exhibition on the Krakovski nasip in Ljubljana, prepared in cooperation with the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office and the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Baron Anton Codelli (1875-1954), the inventor, self-made man, patron, cosmopolitan, and the owner of the first car in Ljubljana.

Codelli and Ljubljana
The Codelli family name is often associated with the Turn Manor (Kodeljevo Castle) and Kodeljevo, the part of the capital located to the east of the city centre.

Baron Anton Codelli of Ljubljana holds an important role in the history of mechanical and electrical engineering. He patented numerous inventions both at home and abroad. One of his greatest technical achievements was the construction of a wireless telegraph station in the former German colony of Togo in West Africa. The successful project established the first ever wireless communication between Africa and Europe. He held 31 different patents, including the patent for his invention of the remote image transmission device. Codelli is considered as the inventor of television.

Codelli was also the producer of the first feature film shot in Africa. The White Goddess of Wangora was last screened in public 100 years ago (London, 1925), after which all trace of the film was lost.

Codelli's stay in Africa is preserved in the extensive photographic archive of the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, which also houses his collection of African objects, the most notable of which is the ritual headgear decorated with cowries and horns.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Baron Anton Codelli, the Poste of Slovenija issued a special stamp.

The authors of the exhibition are dr. Marko Frelih, department for African and American collections at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum and the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office.  

The Slovenian Intellectual Property Office was founded in 1991. Since then, the Office has granted or registered 108.500 intellectual property rights, specifically 54.500 patents, 51.500 trademarks, and 2.500 designs. Through its activities, the Office contributes to promoting creativity and innovation, the effective and internationally comparable intellectual property protection system, the development of culture and the economy, increasing competitiveness, and improving the quality of life.