Philosophy
by
Rebecca Onion
March 20th, 2013
Slate
In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, girls in the UK and the US used needle and thread to embroider images and text onto pieces of fabric that were called “samplers.” Samplers, which could be quite intricate, were meant to promote basic literacy and to teach patience and carefulness.
Unlike many samplers, which featured botanical, Biblical, or domestic themes, this unusual pre-printed fabric from 1811 depicts a surprisingly scientific subject: the arrangement of the solar system.
While girls and women would have found it quite difficult to pursue scientific careers in 19th-century England (the anomalous example of astronomer Caroline Herschel notwithstanding), several popular authors of the time published science books that included girl readers in their intended audiences. Astronomy and natural history were particularly common scientific topics in children’s literature, since authors could relate the information to children’s everyday lives.
This sampler includes a verse from Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” which begins “These are they glorious works, parent of good.” Although we’re accustomed to thinking of scientific and religious education as incompatible, before the controversy over evolutionary theory, which began in the mid-nineteenth century, such conflicts were much more easily resolved. Within certain parameters, instruction in science could be used to reinforce lessons about religion, morality, and God’s plan.
Whoever was working the sampler didn’t get very far with it. The only part of the design that’s been completed with thread is the box around the date.
The blog of the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, where the sampler is held, has an excellent post about the piece and its historical context.
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- John F.w. Herschel's Archived Papers Now Available
"18th-Century Astronomer Herschel's Papers Now Public"by Jennifer OuelletteMarch 7th, 2012DiscoveryNewsHistorical archives are an invaluable resource for those who study the past, or for those of us who are merely curious about those earlier eras....
- Oxford's Museum Of The History Of Science Aka Ashmolean After Elias Ashmole
Elias Ashmole May 23rd, 1617 to May 18th, 1692 Marconi's Coherer Receiver Bill Ashworth of the Linda Hall Library Newsletter wrote... Elias Ashmole, an English alchemist and collector of curiosities and manuscripts, died on May 18, 1692, at age...
- Deceased--john A. Eddy
John A. Eddy March 25th, 1931 to June 10th, 2009 "John A. Eddy, Solar Detective, Dies at 78" by Bruce Weber June 18th, 2009 The New York Times John A. Eddy, a solar astronomer who studied the history of the sun and demonstrated that it is not a constant...
Philosophy
1811 needlepoint of the solar system--unique
"Stitching the Solar System: Science as Needlepoint, 1811"
by
Rebecca Onion
March 20th, 2013
Slate
In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, girls in the UK and the US used needle and thread to embroider images and text onto pieces of fabric that were called “samplers.” Samplers, which could be quite intricate, were meant to promote basic literacy and to teach patience and carefulness.
Unlike many samplers, which featured botanical, Biblical, or domestic themes, this unusual pre-printed fabric from 1811 depicts a surprisingly scientific subject: the arrangement of the solar system.
While girls and women would have found it quite difficult to pursue scientific careers in 19th-century England (the anomalous example of astronomer Caroline Herschel notwithstanding), several popular authors of the time published science books that included girl readers in their intended audiences. Astronomy and natural history were particularly common scientific topics in children’s literature, since authors could relate the information to children’s everyday lives.
This sampler includes a verse from Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” which begins “These are they glorious works, parent of good.” Although we’re accustomed to thinking of scientific and religious education as incompatible, before the controversy over evolutionary theory, which began in the mid-nineteenth century, such conflicts were much more easily resolved. Within certain parameters, instruction in science could be used to reinforce lessons about religion, morality, and God’s plan.
Whoever was working the sampler didn’t get very far with it. The only part of the design that’s been completed with thread is the box around the date.
The blog of the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, where the sampler is held, has an excellent post about the piece and its historical context.
- Whipple Museum Receives A £500,000 Donation
Darwin's microscope "Cambridge's Whipple Museum of the History of Science gets £500,000 donation" by Gareth McPherson March 13th, 2013 Cambridge News A priceless compass is among the scientific kit that will be restored by a Cambridge museum...
- The Heat Is On For Bill Nye
"Bill Nye the Science Guy defends anti-creationist video" by Dennis Bodzash August 30th, 2012 examiner.com Last week, Bill Nye, best known as TV's 'Science Guy,' created quite a stir when he appeared in a video for the website the Big Think,...
- John F.w. Herschel's Archived Papers Now Available
"18th-Century Astronomer Herschel's Papers Now Public"by Jennifer OuelletteMarch 7th, 2012DiscoveryNewsHistorical archives are an invaluable resource for those who study the past, or for those of us who are merely curious about those earlier eras....
- Oxford's Museum Of The History Of Science Aka Ashmolean After Elias Ashmole
Elias Ashmole May 23rd, 1617 to May 18th, 1692 Marconi's Coherer Receiver Bill Ashworth of the Linda Hall Library Newsletter wrote... Elias Ashmole, an English alchemist and collector of curiosities and manuscripts, died on May 18, 1692, at age...
- Deceased--john A. Eddy
John A. Eddy March 25th, 1931 to June 10th, 2009 "John A. Eddy, Solar Detective, Dies at 78" by Bruce Weber June 18th, 2009 The New York Times John A. Eddy, a solar astronomer who studied the history of the sun and demonstrated that it is not a constant...