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Oxford Science Archive Collection (#6)

"Exploring the Vast Oxford Science Archive: A Journey Through Time and Discoveries" Step into a world where history intertwines with scientific breakthroughs

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Butter seller, 1826

Butter seller, 1826. Market woman carrying her butter, with a white cloth to cover it, on a rush tray slung round her waist

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Mackerel seller, 1826

Mackerel seller, 1826. Market woman displaying the fish she has for sale, calling out that the good, fresh mackerel have arrived

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Prehistoric Peeps: A Night Lecture on Evolution, 1894. Artist: Edward Tennyson Reed

Prehistoric Peeps: A Night Lecture on Evolution, 1894. Artist: Edward Tennyson Reed
Prehistoric Peeps: A Night Lecture on Evolution, 1894. Satirical cartoon showing creatures halfway between men and monkeys listening to a lecture. The lectern is in the form of a pteradoctyl

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Lime Kilns. A View at Clifton near Bristol, Gloucestershire, 1798. Artist: John Hassell

Lime Kilns. A View at Clifton near Bristol, Gloucestershire, 1798. Artist: John Hassell
Lime Kilns. A View at Clifton near Bristol, Gloucestershire, 1798. The kilns were filled from the top with limestone and a fuel such as culm (coal or anthracite dust)

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Advertisement for Kodak cameras, 1890

Advertisement for Kodak cameras, 1890. From 1888 Kodak cameras took Eastmans coated paper roll film. From The Illustrated London News. (London, 20 September 1890)

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: David Hume, Scottish philosopher, historian and economist, 1837

David Hume, Scottish philosopher, historian and economist, 1837. Portrait made in the 19th century after an 18th century original

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: The Iron Founder, Rotherham, Yorkshire, 1821

The Iron Founder, Rotherham, Yorkshire, 1821. Metal worker ladling molten metal drawn off from the furnace on the left into a mould created by a pattern pressed into damp sand

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Steamboat on the Clyde near Dumbarton, c1814. Artist: William Daniell

Steamboat on the Clyde near Dumbarton, c1814. Artist: William Daniell
Steamboat on the Clyde near Dumbarton, c1814. This early paddle steamboat travelling amongst sailing vessels was painted just a few years after the first trip of a steamboat in Europe

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Iron foundry, 1802

Iron foundry, 1802. At top are two views of a furnace, on the right showing the operation of the bellows which supplied the draught and, on the left, smelted metal being poured into moulds

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Henry Bells steam boat Comet of 1811, (1856)

Henry Bells steam boat Comet of 1811, (1856). The Comet, 40ft long (12.19m), powered by a 3hp Boulton & Watt engine, was the first successful steam boat in Europe

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Steam ploughing tackle, c1860

Steam ploughing tackle, c1860. Portable steam engine by Garrett & Sons of Leiston, Suffolk, being used with ploughing tackle to draw a plough, in right background, back and forth across a field

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Cyrus McCormicks reaping machine of 1831 (patented 1834), c1851

Cyrus McCormicks reaping machine of 1831 (patented 1834), c1851. This, the first widely adopted reaping machine, was shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London where it was awarded a gold medal

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Nicolas Lemery, French pharmacist and chemist, 1874

Nicolas Lemery, French pharmacist and chemist, 1874
Nicolas Lemery (1645-1715), 1874. Lemery (1645-1715) gave popular demonstrations in his lecture room. In 1675 he published his Cours de chymie which ran to 13 editions in his lifetime

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: The Goose Seller, 1826

The Goose Seller, 1826. This street trader carries two geese with trussed up legs in her hand, while the heads of others hang over the rim of the basket on her back

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Ebenezer Sibly, British astrologer and physician, late 18th century

Ebenezer Sibly, British astrologer and physician, late 18th century. The vignette beneath the portrait shows a physician taking a patients pulse by the wayside

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Homology (of commmon descent), c1920

Homology (of commmon descent), c1920. A: Fore-limb of a monkey. B: Fore-limb of a whale. Although different at first sight, they have similar architecture

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Evolution of the horse, c1920

Evolution of the horse, c1920. Diagram of seven stages in the development of hind and forelimbs: 1, 1A Eohippus; 2, 2A Orohippus; 3, 3A Mesohippus; 4, 4A Hypohippus; 5, 5A Merychippus; 6

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Surveying, early 17th century

Surveying, early 17th century. Method of using a quadrant fitted with a plumb line and marked with shadow scales to measure the depth of a well. From Utriusque cosmi... historia by Robert Fludd

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Surveying and timekeeping, 1551

Surveying and timekeeping, 1551. On the left are various different kinds of sundial and a clock with a single arm. On the right a survey is being made of the height of the tower, using quadrants

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Surveying, 1551

Surveying, 1551. Obtaining the height of a building by the use of a cross-staff. From Rudimenta Mathematica by Sebastian Munster. (Basel, 1551)

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Green bean seller, 1826

Green bean seller, 1826. The street trader carries a basket of green beans and displays some of them on the lid of the basket. From Arts, Metiers et Cris de Paris (Arts, Crafts and Cries of Paris)

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Use of the magnetic compass in map making, 1643

Use of the magnetic compass in map making, 1643. Diagram of the use of the compass by cartographers and surveyors. Bor (Borealis) is north and Aust (Australis) is south

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: In Battersea Park, 1911

In Battersea Park, 1911. An example of Darwinism in everday life. A nursemaid wheeling Master Jones, son of a famous cricketer, in his pram in Battersea Park, London

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Natives of Chiloe, Patagonia, using a breast plough, 1839

Natives of Chiloe, Patagonia, using a breast plough, 1839. From Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majestys Ships Adventure and Beagle (Vol I) by Philip Parker King. (London, 1839)

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: The Fuegian, York Minster, in 1833 (1839)

The Fuegian, York Minster, in 1833 (1839). York Minster was adopted by the expedition of the Beagle commanded by Robert Fitzroy and dressed in European clothes

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: The Fuegian, York Minster, in 1832 (1839)

The Fuegian, York Minster, in 1832 (1839). York Minster was adopted by the expedition of the Beagle commanded by Robert Fitzroy and dressed in European clothes

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Fuegians going to trade with the Patagonians, 1839

Fuegians going to trade with the Patagonians, 1839. The Fuegians would trade their captives and their own children with the Patagonians for dogs, horses, guanoco meat, and various other commodities

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Patagonians in a toldo or skin tent, 1830 (1839)

Patagonians in a toldo or skin tent, 1830 (1839). On the right is the tomb of a child who has recently died and facing it are the stuffed skins of two horses which have been sacrificed

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Charles Darwin in the sand walk at Down House, c1870 (1887)

Charles Darwin in the sand walk at Down House, c1870 (1887). English naturalist Darwin (1809-1882) spent much time walking and thinking in his garden at Down House, near Beckenham, Kent

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Charles Darwin, English naturalist, in his study, c1870 (1887)

Charles Darwin, English naturalist, in his study, c1870 (1887). Darwin (1809-1882) lived at Down House, Beckenham, Kent for forty years

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, 1887

Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, 1887. Garden view of the home for forty years of Charles Darwin (1809-1882), English naturalist

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Charles Darwin, English naturalist, 1884

Charles Darwin, English naturalist, 1884. Darwin (1809-1882) put forward the modern theory of evolution and proposed the principle of evolution by natural selection

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Thomas Alva Edison at Menlo Park, late 1880s

Thomas Alva Edison at Menlo Park, late 1880s. Edison (1847-1931), American physicist and inventor in his laboratory at Menlo Park, New Jersey

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: John Dalton, English chemist, c1834 (1902)

John Dalton, English chemist, c1834 (1902). As a Quaker, Dalton (1766-1844) could not attend an English university, so supported himself by teaching

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Incandescent light bulb, 1929

Incandescent light bulb, 1929. Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), American physicist and inventor, produced the first successful electric light bulb

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Thomas Alva Edison, 1888

Thomas Alva Edison, 1888
Thomas Alva Edison, American inventor, 1888. Edison (1847-1931) listening to a recording on his phonograph. This is an electric model powered by a bichromate cell (left)

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Thomas Alva Edison, American physicist and inventor, 1929

Thomas Alva Edison, American physicist and inventor, 1929. Obverse of a medal celebrating the 50th anniversary of Edisons (1847-1931) invention of the incandescent lamp in 1879

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Paris Observatory in the time of Louis XIV, 17th century (1870)

Paris Observatory in the time of Louis XIV, 17th century (1870). In 1669 Louis engaged the Italian astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini (1625-1712) to construct and direct the observatory

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Jean Baptiste von Helmont, Belgian physician and chemist, 1870

Jean Baptiste von Helmont, Belgian physician and chemist, 1870. Helmont (1579-1644) recognised that there are more gases than just air, and claimed to have coined the word gas

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Francis Harry Compton Crick, British microbiologist, c1962

Francis Harry Compton Crick, British microbiologist, c1962. Francis Crick (1916-2004) discovered the molecular structure of DNA

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Ernst Boris Chain, German born British biochemist, c1945

Ernst Boris Chain, German born British biochemist, c1945. Chain (1906-1979), with Howard Florey, purified penicillin. He shared the 1945 Nobel prize for physiology or medicine with Florey

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: James Rennell, British geographer, 1802

James Rennell, British geographer, 1802. Rennell (1742-1839) was appointed the first surveyor-general of Bengal in 1764. He carried out a survey of Bengal 1765-1771. From The European Magazine

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Luigi Palmieri, Italian geophysicist, 1893

Luigi Palmieri, Italian geophysicist, 1893. Palmieri (1807-1896) was director of the Vesuvius Observatory which monitored the activity of the volcano. In 1855 he invented a seismograph

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: British Iron Companys Works at Corngraves, near Halesowen, West Midlands, c1835

British Iron Companys Works at Corngraves, near Halesowen, West Midlands, c1835. Corngraves, or Corngreaves, lies 7 miles south-west of Birmingham and 5 miles south of Dudley

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Peasant cottage interior, possibly Netherlands or northern France, 17th century

Peasant cottage interior, possibly Netherlands or northern France, 17th century. The husband, wearing wooden clogs, snoozes in the chimney corner by the fire on which cooking would be done

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: East View of Birmingham in Warwickshire, 1779

East View of Birmingham in Warwickshire, 1779. From The Modern Universal British Traveller. (London, 1779)

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Longitudinal section of a typical British passenger steam locomotive, 1888

Longitudinal section of a typical British passenger steam locomotive, 1888. The firebox heated the boiler tubes, producing steam to drive the locomotive. From The Popular Encyclopaedia. (London, 1888)

Background imageOxford Science Archive Collection: Richard Owen, English anatomist and paleontologist, 1872

Richard Owen, English anatomist and paleontologist, 1872. After qualifying and practising as a surgeon, Owen (1804-1892) made major contributions in the fields of anatomy and paleontology




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"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.