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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, John Carroll, R V Jones and his successors. 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". This general category is necessary both because of the breadth of 'Natural Philosophy' and because some items are cross disciplinary and almost generic. Included here are seismometers and seismic recording devices dating from the early 20th century and other periods when seismometry has been part of the research agenda of the university; equipment and records of upper atmosphere research (not meteorology); general laboratory or teaching equipment that has been part of the 'well found University' relating to the actual practice of research and teaching. Some specific items are those used to determine properties of matter; a more general example is a lecturer's autocue from the first half of the 20th century. One could also include other teaching aids such as epidiacopes and projectors found under Optics. Also included is a significant number of special items designed by Professor R V Jones and built in the University for him. Included here are high precision tiltmeter and gravimeter. 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: Seismometers; seismic recording devices; general laboratory equipment; general teaching equipment; antique autocue; epidiascopes, projectors; tiltmeters, gravimeters, IR detectors; special demonstrations developed by Prof. R V Jones; Searle's viscosimeter; capillarity wedges; Millikan's oil drop equipment; Boy's liquid film demonstration apparatus. | Subjects: | History of Science. | Temporal: | 1890-1970 | Source: | University of Aberdeen | Address: | King's College,
AB24 3FX | Contributor: | Acquisition details: E. Leybold Nachfolger; Harvey & Peak, London; Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co; EDDYSTONE; Perdio; Dr. I H Howie; Stratton & Co. Ltd. | Identifier: | ABDNP:CLD14 | Relation: | ABDUA:CLD00 | Go to resource |
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