by Mat Dirjish
Chicago History Museum and UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement, and UL Solutions announce an exhibition that highlights Chicago’s role as the birthplace of modern safety science and the continuing impact of Underwriters Laboratories. The exhibition, dubbed “The Symbol of Safety: The Story of Underwriters Laboratories and the Creation of Safety Science”, opens on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
The installation will become part of the Museum’s permanent “Chicago: Crossroads of America” exhibition and will illustrate how a Chicago-born idea transformed everyday safety practices globally. Through artifacts, historical documents, and personal stories, visitors will discover the origins of Underwriters Laboratories.
Located in the Museum’s “Second to None” gallery, the installation explores how Chicago became the birthplace of safety science through the founding of Underwriters Laboratories and the vision of founder William Henry Merrill Jr. in 1894. It traces the company’s origins, highlighting how scientific testing and evaluation helped address emerging fire and electrical hazards.
Among featured stories is the evolution of the UL Mark. Visitors will learn how the UL Mark emerged during an era of growing public concern about fire and electrical safety, becoming a trusted indicator of products evaluated for safety performance.
The Chicago History Museum is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers. Established in 1856, the Museum is located at 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park. For more details and to buy tickets, visit The Chicago History Museum website.
Mat Dirjish Online 