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 a map for their future."--

About the author

Samuel J.M.M. Alberti FRSE is Director of Collections at National Museums Scotland and an Honorary Professor at the University of Stirling. His other books include Morbid Curiosities: Medical Museums in Nineteenth-Century Britain (2011).

Summary

A look at the past, present and future of science museums.

Product details

• Authors: Samuel J. M. M. Alberti, Samuel J.m.m. Alberti, Samuel J.M.M. Alberti
• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.09.2022
• EAN: 9781789146394
• ISBN: 978-1-78914-639-4
• No. of pages: 256
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); popular science, ART / Museum Studies, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Museum Administration & Museology, Museology & heritage studies, Museology and heritage studies