Until July 27, La Boverie in Liège is hosting an exhibition titled “Ars Mechanica: The Drive to Innovate.” The exhibit traces the history of the FN, Browning, and Winchester brands.
Did you know? Herstal was the first place in history where automatic firearms were mass-produced. In the 17th century, Liège was already a major center for the manufacture of both military weapons and civilian arms for export. At that time, gunsmiths in Liège produced firearms for various armies around the world, and nations sent representatives to Liège to place orders.
Today, the products and services from FN Browning Group’s Defense & Security division are used by most armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and special forces of the European Union and NATO member states, as well as by their allies worldwide.
FN Browning Group and its subsidiaries—such as FN Herstal and Browning—are now global leaders in the field of small arms, uniting three legendary brands (FN, Browning, and Winchester) with manufacturing facilities located in Belgium, Portugal, Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan.
Throughout its history, the group—headquartered in Herstal since 1889—has undertaken a wide range of military and civilian projects. Its ingenuity and technical expertise have made it a pioneer, driving major changes in both firearms manufacturing and mechanical engineering more broadly.
Until July 27, visitors can learn more about the history of the FN, Browning, and Winchester brands at La Boverie in Liège. The exhibition “Ars Mechanica: The Drive to Innovate” offers a coherent journey through six successive themes over the course of 1 to 1.5 hours: the gunsmithing tradition of Liège, the birth and evolution of a military industry, the meeting of European and American cultures, the many branches of precision mechanics (from bicycles to jet engines), the social and human story at the heart of the industry, and finally, a group firmly focused on the future and still at the forefront of new technologies.
“The pieces on display are not only aesthetically impressive—they also represent the work of men and women who, through advanced industrial tools and inventive minds, created reliable and innovative products that sparked technological revolutions,” explain the exhibition’s organizers.
The exhibition runs until July 27.
Isabelle Anneet (AWEX)
