Philosophy
This is interesting. I would cast a vote for James Watt's steam engine.
Which was the more important innovation - the railway revolution ushered in by Stephenson's Rocket or the life-saving achievements of penicillin?
The Science Museum in London has chosen a top 10 list of its most significant objects, as part of events marking its centenary.
The public will be invited to vote on this list of scientific breakthroughs.
These "icons" of science will become part of a centenary trail for visitors to the South Kensington museum.
There have already been expressions of support for particular objects.
Best inventions
Trevor Baylis, the inventor, says he would vote for the V2 rocket engine.
SCIENCE MUSEUM TOP 10:
# Steam engine
# V2 rocket engine
# Electric telegraph
# Stephenson's Rocket
# X-ray machine
# Model T Ford
# Penicillin
# Pilot ACE Computer
# DNA double helix
# Apollo 10 capsule
"It's one of the greatest achievements of our time because it led to space exploration, and then satellite development, which then led to mobile phones and the astounding communication services we enjoy today," he said.
Alice Roberts, television presenter and doctor, says she would vote for the invention of the X-ray machine.
"X-rays provided the first possibility of looking inside someone's body without cutting them open, a massive medical advance."
The museum's chief curator, Tim Boon, wants the top 10 to spark debate about the value of inventions and discoveries.
Others in the list include the steam engine and Stephenson's Rocket, the electric telegraph, Model T Ford, penicillin, Pilot ACE computer, DNA double helix and the Apollo 10 capsule.
"What did we miss, is there an alternative top 10? Some of the objects may divide opinion."
"Would we be better off if some of the icons, which have had negative consequences, had not been invented?"
The Science Museum's origins lay in the Great Exhibition of 1851, with funds from the industrial showcase being used to begin a network of museums and libraries in South Kensington.
The first building, known as the South Kensington Museum, was opened to the public in 1857.
The centenary being celebrated this year is the creation in 1909 of a separately administered museum in a new building, which formally adopted the title "Science Museum".
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Philosophy
Science Museum in London...top 10 list
This is interesting. I would cast a vote for James Watt's steam engine.
"Science museum's top 10 objects"
by
Sean Coughlan
June 9th, 2009
BBC News
by
Sean Coughlan
June 9th, 2009
BBC News
Which was the more important innovation - the railway revolution ushered in by Stephenson's Rocket or the life-saving achievements of penicillin?
The Science Museum in London has chosen a top 10 list of its most significant objects, as part of events marking its centenary.
The public will be invited to vote on this list of scientific breakthroughs.
These "icons" of science will become part of a centenary trail for visitors to the South Kensington museum.
There have already been expressions of support for particular objects.
Best inventions
Trevor Baylis, the inventor, says he would vote for the V2 rocket engine.
SCIENCE MUSEUM TOP 10:
# Steam engine
# V2 rocket engine
# Electric telegraph
# Stephenson's Rocket
# X-ray machine
# Model T Ford
# Penicillin
# Pilot ACE Computer
# DNA double helix
# Apollo 10 capsule
"It's one of the greatest achievements of our time because it led to space exploration, and then satellite development, which then led to mobile phones and the astounding communication services we enjoy today," he said.
Alice Roberts, television presenter and doctor, says she would vote for the invention of the X-ray machine.
"X-rays provided the first possibility of looking inside someone's body without cutting them open, a massive medical advance."
The museum's chief curator, Tim Boon, wants the top 10 to spark debate about the value of inventions and discoveries.
Others in the list include the steam engine and Stephenson's Rocket, the electric telegraph, Model T Ford, penicillin, Pilot ACE computer, DNA double helix and the Apollo 10 capsule.
"What did we miss, is there an alternative top 10? Some of the objects may divide opinion."
"Would we be better off if some of the icons, which have had negative consequences, had not been invented?"
The Science Museum's origins lay in the Great Exhibition of 1851, with funds from the industrial showcase being used to begin a network of museums and libraries in South Kensington.
The first building, known as the South Kensington Museum, was opened to the public in 1857.
The centenary being celebrated this year is the creation in 1909 of a separately administered museum in a new building, which formally adopted the title "Science Museum".
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Seems like a waste of time...each side is entrenched. "Bill Nye will debate founder of Creation Museum" Bill Nye, science education advocate and TV personality, will visit Kentucky in February to debate Ken Ham, the founder of the Creation Museum. The...
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"Sir Patrick Moore astronomy centre plans scrapped, says Brian May" Brian May has confirmed that Sir Patrick Moore's home will not be converted into an astronomy centre, despite his close friend's wishes. by Rhiannon Williams September 19th,...
- 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...
- 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...
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"Britain’s Oldest Working Computer Roars to Life" by Priya Ganapati September 4th, 2009 Wired The oldest original working computer in the U.K., which has been in storage for nearly 30 years, is getting restored to its former glory. The Harwell...