COLUMBUS, OH-Battelle is celebrating 75 years in the business of innovation this month with special events designed to honor the science and technology giant's rich history.

Special events for Battelle employees, retirees, and community leaders will feature tributes to Battelle's role in the development of numerous technologies, including some that helped spawn the office copying machine and compact discs, as well as its long history of managing national laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy and commercializing technology developed at Battelle and those labs.

"When you say Battelle, I think of a tremendous partner for Ohio in technology, economic development, and education," said Ohio Governor Bob Taft. "For 75 years, Battelle has helped Ohio grow and prosper."

Battelle opened its doors in October 1929 in Columbus. Employees, retirees and community leaders, including Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, will be on hand for a celebration of 75 years of Battelle innovations October 15 at Battelle.

"I'm thrilled to help one of the top research institutions in the world celebrate 75 years of inventiveness, 75 years of research and opportunities, and 75 years of excellence," Mayor Coleman said. "Battelle is a national leader in taking ideas and building them into businesses, and that's an innovative engine that helps keep our local economy strong."

"We are tremendously proud of the many significant Battelle achievements that have had positive impacts both on the national and global level and in the communities where we live and work," said Battelle President and CEO Carl Kohrt. "This celebration of our 75 years as an institution really is a tribute to all the people who have worked to make Battelle what it is today as well as the community that has been such a supportive partner over those years."

Karen Holbrook, President of The Ohio State University, helped kick off the 75th anniversary celebration during a visit to Battelle Oct. 5. Holbrook wished Battelle a happy birthday while extolling the growing relationship between the neighboring Columbus landmarks.

"Together we can make Central Ohio a 21st century technological powerhouse," Holbrook said.

Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle, with the national labs that it manages or co-manages, oversees 16,000 staff members and conducts $3 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations include the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on compact disc technology, medical technology advancements, and fiber optic technologies.

For more information, visit www.battelle.org or contact Media Relations Manager Mark Berry at (614) 424-5544 or at berrym@battelle.org.