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Scientific Education

553 items

This digital collection features selected chemistry sets, molecular models, and science kits used for both instruction and play, all primarily from the mid-20th century. Some of these objects were previously on display in the Institute's museum as part of the Science at Play exhibition. Materials in this collection also include lecture notes, such as Louis Pasteur’s on stereochemistry, as well as letters between scientists concerning the state of scientific education.

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Current results range from 1709 to 2014

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  • Unknown 8

  • Science--Study and teaching507
  • Scientific illustration333
  • Textbooks332
  • Zoology246
  • Animals214
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  • Chautauqua Press246
  • Jenks, J. W. P. (John Whipple Potter), 1819-1894246
  • Steele, Joel Dorman, 1836-1886246
  • Pepper, John Henry, 1821-190032
  • Martyn, Lily29
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  • Publications409
  • Illustrations81
  • Rare books39
  • Chemistry sets35
  • Manuscripts19
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  • Text490
  • Image458
  • Physical Object53
  • Sound4

  • Cardboard28
  • Plastic23
  • Glass22
  • Paper18
  • Wood17
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  • New York (State)--New York286
  • England--London131
  • Scotland--Edinburgh31
  • Rhode Island--Providence25
  • Illinois--Chicago19
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  • English509
  • French8
  • German5
  • Spanish2
  • Russian1

  • Public Domain Mark 1.0508
  • In Copyright16
  • No Known Copyright15
  • In Copyright - Rights-holder(s) Unlocatable or Unidentifiable6
  • No Copyright - United States4
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  • Library445
  • Museum58
  • Archives46
  • Center for Oral History4

  • Science at Play30
  • The Sky's the Limit3
  • Things Fall Apart1
Previous 526 - 550 of 553 Next
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  • 3 items
    Chemistry sets

    Harmonic Reed Corporation Spitz Junior Planetarium

    • Circa 1955
    • Manufacturer Harmonic Reed Corporation
    • Subject Harmonic Reed Corporation, Astronomy, Toys, Astronomical instruments
  • Chemistry sets

    Johnny Horizon Environmental Test Kit

    • 1971

    Cardboard box with color printing on lid, showing young men and women engaged in chemical testing of environmental factors (air, water). Inside is a blue plastic tray with wells for test equipment, including a…

    • Manufacturer Parker Brothers, inc.
    • Subject Games, Chemistry sets, Toys, Chemicals, Environmental testing
  • Chemistry sets

    Gilbert Electric Eye Kit

    • 1949
    • Manufacturer A.C. Gilbert Company
    • Subject Electric apparatus and appliances, Electricity, A.C. Gilbert Company, Electron tubes
  • Chemistry sets

    Gilbert Chemistry Experiment Lab No. 12006

    • 1955 – 1959

    Chemistry sets reached their heyday in the 1950s, but production of them began in the United States during World War I. Playing with a toy chemistry set inspired many a boy to become a chemist, and not until the late…

    • Manufacturer A.C. Gilbert Company
    • Subject Chemistry sets, A.C. Gilbert Company
  • Chemistry sets

    Gilbert No. 1 Chemistry Outfit

    • 1954

    Chemistry sets reached their heyday in the 1950s, but production of them began in the United States during World War I. Playing with a toy chemistry set inspired many a boy to become a chemist, and not until the late…

    • Manufacturer A.C. Gilbert Company
    • Subject Chemistry sets, A.C. Gilbert Company
  • Chemistry sets

    Gilbert Tele-Set Telegraph Outfit No. 3502

    • Circa 1935
    • Manufacturer A.C. Gilbert Company
    • Subject Telegraph, A.C. Gilbert Company
  • Chemistry sets

    Chemcraft Chemical Outfit No. 1

    • 1917

    This is one of Porter Chemical Company's first Chemcraft sets. In the early 20th century, companies like the Porter Chemical Company and A.C. Gilbert began to manufacture and sell chemistry laboratories and kits.…

    • Manufacturer Porter Chemical Company
    • Subject Chemistry sets, Porter Chemical Company
  • Manuscripts

    Louis Pasteur lecture notes on crystal structure, tartaric acid, and arsenites (4 of 4)

    • Part of Louis Pasteur lecture notes on crystal structure, tartaric acid, and arsenites
    • After 1849 – before 1895

    Fourth page of handwritten lecture notes with diagrams prepared by Louis Pasteur for a lecture to the National Academy of Medicine on the subject of crystal structures, tartaric acid, and arsenites. This work led to the…

    • Author Pasteur, Louis, 1822-1895
    • Subject Science--Study and teaching, Microbiologists, Stereochemistry, Tartaric acid, Chemists, Pasteur, Louis, 1822-1895, Crystals--Structure, Académie nationale de médecine (France), Arsenites
  • Manuscripts

    Louis Pasteur lecture notes on crystal structure, tartaric acid, and arsenites (3 of 4)

    • Part of Louis Pasteur lecture notes on crystal structure, tartaric acid, and arsenites
    • After 1849 – before 1895

    Third page of handwritten lecture notes with diagrams prepared by Louis Pasteur for a lecture to the National Academy of Medicine on the subject of crystal structures, tartaric acid, and arsenites. This work led to the…

    • Author Pasteur, Louis, 1822-1895
    • Subject Science--Study and teaching, Microbiologists, Stereochemistry, Tartaric acid, Chemists, Pasteur, Louis, 1822-1895, Crystals--Structure, Académie nationale de médecine (France), Arsenites
  • Photographs

    Chemistry students in laboratory, circa 1910

    • Circa 1910

    Photograph depicting male and female chemistry students in a laboratory at an unidentified school or college. The students are grouped around several laboratory stations and are seen using test tubes and Bunsen burners…

    • Subject Women in science, Science--Study and teaching, Laboratories, Laboratories--Equipment and supplies, Students, Chemistry--Study and teaching
  • Photographs

    Wilson College chemistry club

    • Circa 1937

    Group photograph depicting members of the chemistry club at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The group consists of nine women gathered around a table while observing one member pouring an unknown substance…

    • Subject Women in science, Science--Study and teaching, Women college students, College students, Laboratories--Equipment and supplies, Students, Chemistry--Study and teaching, Wilson College (Chambersburg, Pa.)
  • Photographs

    Group portrait of chemistry students, circa 1900

    • Circa 1900

    Photograph depicting a group of male and female chemistry students at an unknown school or college. The students are posed holding assorted laboratory equipment and glassware. Some of the female students are also…

    • Subject Women in science, Science--Study and teaching, Laboratories--Equipment and supplies, Students, Chemistry--Study and teaching, Glassware
  • Molecular models

    Molecular Model Set for General Chemistry

    • 1980s

    Models kits, such as this one, are often found in laboratories and classrooms and are used to visualize the structure of chemical substances.

    • Manufacturer Allyn and Bacon
    • Subject Molecules--Models
  • Molecular models

    HGS General Chemistry Molecular Model Set

    • 1985 – 1989

    Transparent plastic container with five interior compartments for multicolored plastic pieces. Instruction manual included.

    Models kits, such as this one, are often found in laboratories and classrooms and are used to…

    • Manufacturer Benjamin / Maruzen
    • Subject Molecules--Models
  • Molecular models

    Organichem Model Set

    • 1970s

    Small, multicolored plastic connectors and straws in small plastic bag.

    Models kits, such as this one, are often found in laboratories and classrooms and are used to visualize the structure of chemical substances.

    • Manufacturer Freeman, Cooper & Co.
    • Subject Molecules--Models
  • Molecular models

    Disc Molecular Models

    • Undated

    Rectangular grey cardboard box with white writing and colored disks on sides; box contains a cardboard separator that divides the inside into four compartments and an instruction booklet; the compartments contain a…

    • Manufacturer W. A. Benjamin, Inc
    • Subject Molecules--Models
  • Molecular models

    Harshaw Crystal Model Kit

    • Undated

    Blue cardboard box containing three compartments; two compartments hold a number of black and white stone marbles; third compartment holds four brass rods, numerous glass spacers, and sheets of thin paper; box also…

    • Manufacturer Harshaw Scientific, Division of the Harshaw Chemical Company
    • Subject Molecules--Models
  • Molecular models

    Sargent Molecular Model Kit

    • 1955 – 1965

    White cardboard box with blue writing; contains black, blue, yellow, red, and green spheres as well as wooden and metal connectors.

    Models kits, such as this one, are often found in laboratories and classrooms and are…

    • Manufacturer E.H. Sargent and Company
    • Subject Molecules--Models
  • Business correspondence

    Letter from Benjamin Silliman to Messrs. Sever and Francis

    • 1866-Aug-25

    Acknowledges receipt of Sharplep's "Chemical Tables," and expresses pleasure at its organization and content.

    • Addressee Sever and Francis, Publishers
    • Author Silliman, Benjamin, 1816-1885
    • Subject Science--Study and teaching, Silliman, Benjamin, 1816-1885
  • Business correspondence

    Letter from Ira Remsen to Charles F. Chandler

    • 1877-Jan-01

    Cover letter for preliminary circular in regard to Instruction in Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University.

    • Addressee Chandler, Charles Frederick, 1836-1925
    • Author Remsen, Ira, 1846-1927
    • Subject Science--Study and teaching, Chandler, Charles Frederick, 1836-1925, Johns Hopkins University
  • Business correspondence

    Letter from Linus Pauling to Theodor Benfey

    • 1976-Aug-27

    Concerning possibility of publishing an early Pauling manuscript in a high school textbook or in an issue of "Chemistry."

    • Addressee Benfey, O. Theodor (Otto Theodor), 1925-
    • Author Pauling, Linus, 1901-1994
    • Subject Science--Study and teaching, Benfey, O. Theodor (Otto Theodor), 1925-, Pauling, Linus, 1901-1994
  • Business correspondence

    Letter from Farrington Daniels to Theodor Benfey

    • 1957-Feb-07

    Concerns recommendation of Tom Newlin as a teaching assistant as well as plans for revising the Chemistry program at Earlham College. The last paragraph makes references to the current state of development of solar…

    • Addressee Benfey, O. Theodor (Otto Theodor), 1925-
    • Author Daniels, Farrington, 1889-1972
    • Subject Science--Study and teaching, Benfey, O. Theodor (Otto Theodor), 1925-, Daniels, Farrington, 1889-1972, Earlham College, Harvard University, Solar energy
  • Business correspondence

    Letter from Joshua Lederberg to Frank Stodola

    • 1942-Jul-06

    Written by Joshua Lederberg while 17 years old, seeking permission to take Stodola's Chem s42C course, despite not having taken the necessary prerequisites.

    • Addressee Stodola, Frank Harold, 1905-1992
    • Author Lederberg, Joshua
    • Subject Science--Study and teaching, Chemistry, Organic, Lederberg, Joshua, Columbia University, Nobel Prize winners, Stodola, Frank Harold, 1905-1992
  • Business correspondence

    Letter from Harold Urey to Frank Stodola

    • 1940-Aug-19

    Concerning appointment of Stodola as an Instructor at Columbia University.

    • Addressee Stodola, Frank Harold, 1905-1992
    • Author Urey, Harold Clayton, 1893-1981
    • Subject Science--Study and teaching, Urey, Harold Clayton, 1893-1981, Nobel Prize winners, Stodola, Frank Harold, 1905-1992
  • Plastics, Molecular models

    Bakelite Molecular Orbital Model

    • Undated

    Black Bakelite cylindrical base with four steel arms giving it support; red Bakelite circles are attached to the end of each arm; the model itself is attached with a steel arm that protrudes upward from the base; model…

    • Subject Molecules--Models, Molecular orbitals, Bakelite
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