Lincoln maths genius George Boole honoured in tech centre ceremony

A special plaque has been unveiled to commemorate the ongoing Boole Technology Centre development in Lincoln, namesake to the‘grandfather of the digital age’ George Boole.

As previously reported, work started on the £6.8 million Boole Technology Centre at the beginning of February.

The enterprise hub is the next major phase in the development of the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park.

It has been named in honour of George Boole (1815-1864), a self taught mathematician, philosopher and educator born at Silver Street in Lincoln.

His revolutionary work on the laws of thought later became known as Boolean Algebra and was fundamental to the development of the first computer circuits in the mid-20th century.

Local business leaders, civic representatives and other stakeholders joined a special ceremony on Wednesday, March 30.

Ursula Lidbetter, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Co-op and Lincoln Science and Innovation Park board member, unveiled a plaque which will be mounted at the entrance to the building, further celebrating the achievements of the genius from Lincoln.

The latest artist impression of the Boole Technology Centre, which is now officially under construction. Photo: Lincoln Science and Innovation Park

The building is expected to be completed in early 2017, providing 36,000 square feet of offices, laboratories and technical workshops and has already had the interest of over 30 different companies from around the county.

This strategic employment site will combine research, teaching and commercial space as home to a community of technology businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and researchers.

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “This is a flagship project for Lincolnshire and it sends a message that the county is moving ahead. We are a part of the modern world and we’re a part of planning an economy that’s going to be a place for the next generation of people.”

Director of Lincoln Science and Innovation Park Tom Blount added:

“We feel George Boole is someone who is overlooked in the UK and should be celebrated.

“He is an example of how a genius can emerge anywhere and we in Lincolnshire need to make sure that when it emerges here, we celebrate it and support it and that’s what the Boole Technology Centre is all about.

“What we are trying to do is build a community element into that because I believe that innovation works best when it’s a team effort. That means co-locating businesses next to each other and the University of Lincoln.