Curious Devices and Mighty Machines: Exploring Science Museums
From their quirky origins to their contemporary role as centers of advocacy, a look at the secret lives of science museums—past, present, and future.
 
Science museums have paradoxes at their core. They must be accessible and fun while representing increasingly complex science. They must be both historic and contemporary. Their exhibits attract millions, but most of their objects remain in deep storage, seldom seen. This book delves into these conflicts, revealing the secret lives of science curators; where science objects come from and who uses them; and, ultimately, what science museums are for. With an insider’s eye, Samuel J. M. M. Alberti exposes the idiosyncratic past and intriguing current practices of these institutions—and sets out a map for their future.
1141114879
Curious Devices and Mighty Machines: Exploring Science Museums
From their quirky origins to their contemporary role as centers of advocacy, a look at the secret lives of science museums—past, present, and future.
 
Science museums have paradoxes at their core. They must be accessible and fun while representing increasingly complex science. They must be both historic and contemporary. Their exhibits attract millions, but most of their objects remain in deep storage, seldom seen. This book delves into these conflicts, revealing the secret lives of science curators; where science objects come from and who uses them; and, ultimately, what science museums are for. With an insider’s eye, Samuel J. M. M. Alberti exposes the idiosyncratic past and intriguing current practices of these institutions—and sets out a map for their future.
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Curious Devices and Mighty Machines: Exploring Science Museums

Curious Devices and Mighty Machines: Exploring Science Museums

by Samuel J. M. M. Alberti
Curious Devices and Mighty Machines: Exploring Science Museums

Curious Devices and Mighty Machines: Exploring Science Museums

by Samuel J. M. M. Alberti

eBook

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Overview

From their quirky origins to their contemporary role as centers of advocacy, a look at the secret lives of science museums—past, present, and future.
 
Science museums have paradoxes at their core. They must be accessible and fun while representing increasingly complex science. They must be both historic and contemporary. Their exhibits attract millions, but most of their objects remain in deep storage, seldom seen. This book delves into these conflicts, revealing the secret lives of science curators; where science objects come from and who uses them; and, ultimately, what science museums are for. With an insider’s eye, Samuel J. M. M. Alberti exposes the idiosyncratic past and intriguing current practices of these institutions—and sets out a map for their future.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781789146400
Publisher: Reaktion Books, Limited
Publication date: 09/26/2022
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 256
File size: 43 MB
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About the Author

Samuel J. M. M. Alberti FRSE is the director of collections at National Museums Scotland and an honorary professor at the University of Stirling. His books include Morbid Curiosities: Medical Museums in Nineteenth-Century Britain.

Table of Contents

Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Introduction 1. How Collections Came To Be 2. Collecting Science 3. Treasures of The Storeroom 4. Engaging Objects 5. Campaigning with Collections 6. Lively Collections References Select Bibliography Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index
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