Oxford Science Archive Collection (#37)

Hierarchy of the Church, 1652. Artist: Robert Vaughan
Hierarchy of the Church, 1652. God at the head, the Pope below flanked by angels, kings, priests and laity, with demons falling into the flames of Hell below

Henri Moissan, French chemist, 1900. Moissan (1852-1907) at his desk at the Edison workshops, Paris, where he worked on the production of artificial diamonds

Divine harmony, 1617-1619. The divine harmony existing between Man the microsm, and the universe the macrocosm, with God at the top. From Utriusque cosmi... historia by Robert Fludd

Geocentric universe, 1493. God enthroned surrounded by the chosen and Angels, sits above a diagram of the geocentric Ptolemaic universe, with the Earth surrounded by water, air and fire

Neptune raising James Cook to immortality and fame, late 18th century. The name of Captain Cook (1728-1779), English navigator, explorer and hydrographer, is being written in the book of history

William Bowman, English anatomist, surgeon and ophthalmologist, 1884. Artist: Edward Linley Sambourne
William Bowman, English anatomist, surgeon and ophthalmologist, 1884. Bowman (1816-1892) was born at Nantwich, Cheshire. After five years at Birmingham General Hospital

Louis Antoine de Bougainville, French soldier, navigator and mathematician, c1890. Bougainville (1729-1811) was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1756 while secretary to the French Embassy in

William Somerset Maugham, British author of novels, plays and short stories, 1927. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) qualified as a physician at St Thomass Hospital, London, in 1897

Jons Jacob Berezelius, Swedish chemist, c1890. Berzelius (1779-1848) introduced modern chemical symbols. He discovered the elements selenium, thorium and cerium, and was first to isolate others

Observing a solar eclipse, 1673. Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687), a wealthy Polish brewer and councillor of Danzig, devoted much time and money to astronomy

Rice Mill, 1813. Blindfolded mules harnessed to a mill grinding rice into flour. From China: Its Costume, Arts and Manufactures by M Breton. (London, 1813)

Centrifuge, 1882. Centrifuges are used to separate liquids from solids, or liquids from liquids of different density such as cream from milk. From Physics in Pictures by Theodore Eckardt

Distillation, 1882. Cross-section showing a furnace heating a still. Matter distilled is discharged through the beak of the alembic and is condensed in the worm that runs through the refrigerator

Chemist, 1508. A chemist or alchemist is using bellows to heat up the fire under a crucible. Behind him an alembic standing on a furnace is being used for distillation

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Exploring the Vast Oxford Science Archive: A Journey Through Time and Discoveries" Step into a world where history intertwines with scientific breakthroughs, as we delve into the captivating Oxford Science Archive. From the early days of locomotives to groundbreaking astronomical observations, this collection showcases humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge. Witness the awe-inspiring sight of a train crossing Stockport viaduct on the London & North Western Railway in 1845, symbolizing mankind's determination to conquer distance and connect nations. Marvel at our understanding of celestial bodies through stunning images capturing Jupiter's four moons - Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto - observed in 1979. Travel back further in time to 1867 when The Engineer publication chronicled technological advancements that shaped society. Immerse yourself in an era when engineering marvels like the Great Eastern ship were constructed on the banks of Thames at Millwall in 1857. Meet James Watt, a Scottish engineer whose inventive genius revolutionized steam power during the Industrial Revolution. His portrait from 1833 serves as a reminder of human ingenuity that propelled us forward. Explore artistry intertwined with science as you encounter Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' depiction of "The Whale" circa 1850 – a testament to both artistic skill and zoological exploration. Encounter JJ Thomson, British nuclear physicist extraordinaire captured in an iconic photograph from 1898 – his work paving the way for modern atomic theory. Reflect upon mankind's relationship with nature through poignant imagery depicting water scarcity amidst abundance titled "Water. Water. Everywhere; and not a Drop to Drink" from 1849. Witness progress etched into landscapes such as Tring cutting on London & Birmingham Railway (1837) or Kilsby Tunnel construction (1839), showcasing how infrastructure transformed societies. Acknowledge both triumphs and challenges faced by humanity throughout history as industrial pollution looms over Sheffield Yorkshire in the 1920s.