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Description: | The collection includes material that has been in use in the University of Aberdeen, primarily for the purpose of teaching and research and was brought together by a distinguished line of past Professors of Natural Philosophy. Included amongst these are Patrick Copland, William Knight, James Clerk Maxwell, David Thomson, Charles Niven and Nobel Prize winning GP Thomson. The earliest material dates from the mid 18th century and the most recent material from the 21st century. As a result of its continuity the collection provides an important material record which Aberdeen University Senior Lecturer Dr B Marsden describes as "charting the change in practical and popular scientific culture". Navigation and Surveying have been important topics in the three centuries covered by this collection, though they have largely fallen out of Natural Philosophy syllabi. Some surveying is still taught to Geography and Engineering students. 18th century devices include magnetic compasses and levels; later devices include a range of compasses, theodolites, clinometers, an octant and sextants, plane table and drawing instruments. The collection also includes surveying chain and tape. The Natural Philosophy collection is supported by an informative and detailed webpage which includes links to articles related to the collection, information pages for selected items and documentation for an exhibition 'Precisely' which featured the connections between the museum collection of Natural Philosophy and documentation held in the University's Special Libraries and Archives. Access to the collection is restricted and all enquires should be sent to Dr J Reid, the honorary curator. Information compiled in consultation with the Honorary Curator.
Super collection: Natural Philosophy Collection.
Objects: Dr. Lorimer's dipping compass; station pointer; balance; circular protractor; Sextant; Portable calibrator MK1 for altimeter; Prismatic compass; Compass; Proportional compass; portable Chinese dial compass; Japanese compass; McCulloch's mariner's compass; Dent chronometer; azimuth compass; Hadley's octant; box for level; range of theodolites; Parallel rule; set square; Mirror inclinometer; Abney level; Elcometer; box sextant; range of 18th - 20th century surveyors' levels; Tripod; Pendant clinometer; Microptic Alidade; table compass; Mirror stereoscope; Inclinometer. | Subjects: | History of Science. | Temporal: | 1750-1990 | Source: | University of Aberdeen | Address: | King's College,
AB24 3FX | Identifier: | ABDNP:CLD13 | Relation: | ABDUA:CLD00 | Go to resource |
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