School of Chemistry, UNSW

Museum of the History of Science - by Dr David Alderdice

For a number of years, some members of the School collected scientific instruments, with the idea of establishing a museum. In 1986, the Museum of the History of Science was formally established by the then Head of School, and placed under the control of Dr D. S. Alderdice and Dr B. Craven as Co-directors.

Museum directors and a portion of the collection

The collection now includes about five hundred objects, dating from the early 19th Century to the recent past, some of which are displayed in display cases generously donated by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the U-Committee of the University. Anybody who wishes to view these, or other items should contact Dr Alderdice. The photograph on the right shows Dr Craven (left) and Dr Alderdice (right) with a portion of the museum's collection on display.

Although the Museum is at an early stage of its development the foundations are laid and the project is prospering. The Museum is part of the Australian University Museums On-Line (AUMOL) Project, and information about some of its holdings can be found at the AUMOL site:

http://aumol.usyd.edu.au/

The Directors are anxious to expand the collection, and potential donors of objects or instruments should contact Dr Alderdice.

As the collection increases in size and importance it will form a base for scholarly research into the development of scientific instrumentation and its effect on the course of Science. This aspect will be particularly relevant to the Focus Area entitled "History of Science", in the Draft Stages 4-5 of the NSW Secondary Science Syllabus.

Diversions

Museum of the History of Science - by Dr David Alderdice