Do we trivialise inventors, inventions and Government ministers?

Q: Why is Wallace the odd one out?
A: He  is the only one who
gets to say some decent lines

A media release from the United Kingdom's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills proudly informs him that the "IPO inspires cracking ideas at innovation exhibition".  Oh, no, he groans, not another bout of Wallace and Gromit.  And oh, yes, that's just what it is.  According to the text,

Baroness Wilcox, Minster for Intellectual Property will this week launch an event to inspire innovation and educate young people about the role inventive ideas can play in every day life.

“Wallace and Gromit Presents… a World of Cracking Ideas” is an exhibition in which the famous characters will guide students through the world of innovation to discover how simple ideas can transform into life changing products. This year the exhibition comes to the Newcastle Life Science Centre and will be open from 16 April until 30 October. It is sponsored by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in collaboration with Aardman Animations. 

Speaking ahead of the launch, Baroness Wilcox said:

“Innovation is about being exciting, creative and fun and ultimately it can lead to financial rewards. This exhibition will really inspire the young innovators of the future. By highlighting the important role that innovation and creativity play on a day to day basis I believe that the exhibition will prove to be a huge success. 

There are some great opportunities out there for people of all ages to develop their skills and I would encourage anyone interested in finding out more to come to the exhibition and explore what is on offer.” 

It is well known that this Kat is unhappy with the constant trivialisation of inventions and inventors and that he therefore wishes that the flames of invention could be kindled by offering children a more credible role model than W and G.  It is equally well known that this Kat wants Ministers for Intellectual Property to engage, and to be seen to engage, with their portfolio, to speak about IP with pride and with passion and to look and sound as though they really believed in its importance, rather than being stage-managed, protected from the UK's vibrant IP communities and generally being allowed to be about as proactive as cardboard cut-outs.  We've been through this all before with Baroness Morgan and David Lammie MP, and now -- with a Minister whose CV and track record suggests she has so much more to offer -- it's all happening again. We'd like to know a bit about her opinions, to share ours with her, to help and to encourage. if only we were given the chance.