Deborah Jaffé is a cultural historian with a special interest in design, technology and memory studies; particularly relating to women and innovation, childhood and play, industrial design and souvenirs. She is the author of eight books including: What’s Left of Henry VIII,  Victoria – a celebration, Ingenious Women and The History of Toys.

Deborah studied art and design at Dartington College of Arts and the London College of Furniture before gaining her MA from the Royal College of Art in London. Her varied career includes work in the toy, educational and fashion industries; the visual arts; ceramics and photography.

Victoria -a  celebration, was published to coincide with the centenary of the death of Queen  Victoria. This led to historical research on women and innovation and the  publication of Ingenious Women.  The History of Toys, is contextual history of the design, manufacture and marketing of toys. i

Current research is on the  importance of preserving memories, which she is exploring in ceramic forms and also research on an archive of refugee related material.

She has been a member of  numerous committees including: the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green;  the National Art & Design Saturday Club at The Sorrell Foundation and the Centre for the Study of Cultural Memory at the University of London; and is a patron of ideas21. Deborah frequently speaks, in the media and at lectures, in Britain and Europe on women and innovation, the history of toys, Frank Hornby and Mecccano and design in the Cold War.

Deborah is experienced in the media and has appeared on national and international tv and radio. She is always interested in ideas and new possibilities; please  contact her to discuss.