Science & Mathematics - Overview
The Museum's collections hold thousands of objects related to chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and other sciences. Instruments range from early American telescopes to lasers. Rare glassware and other artifacts from the laboratory of Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, are among the scientific treasures here. A Gilbert chemistry set of about 1937 and other objects testify to the pleasures of amateur science. Artifacts also help illuminate the social and political history of biology and the roles of women and minorities in science.
The mathematics collection holds artifacts from slide rules and flash cards to code-breaking equipment. More than 1,000 models demonstrate some of the problems and principles of mathematics, and 80 abstract paintings by illustrator and cartoonist Crockett Johnson show his visual interpretations of mathematical theorems.
"Science & Mathematics - Overview" showing 4 items.
Engraving of snake species "Crotalus molossus"
- Description
- William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Crotalus molassus [B & G],” or Black–tailed rattlesnake, from an original sketch likely drawn by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 2 in the “Reptiles” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, which was written by Spencer F. Baird (1823–1887). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date of book publication
- 1859
- graphic artist
- Dougal, William H.
- printer
- Nicholson, A.O.P.
- author
- Emory, William H.
- printer
- Wendell, Cornelius
- publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- original artist
- Richard, John H.
- author
- Baird, Spencer Fullerton
- publisher
- U.S. Army
- ID Number
- GA*1367
- accession number
- 1888.20627
- catalog number
- 1367
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Lithograph of bird species "Chrysomitris Marginalis"
- Description
- Thomas Sinclair (c.1805–1881) of Philadelphia printed this lithograph of “Chrysomitris Marginalis [Bonaparte] male and female," now "Carduelis barbata" or Black-chinned siskin, from an original sketch by William Dreser (c.1820–after 1860) of Philadelphia (1847–1860) and New York (1860). The illustration was published in 1855 by A.O.P. Nicholson in Washington, D.C. as Plate XVII in the “Birds” section of volume II of The United States Naval Astronomical Survey to the Southern Hemisphere, written by John Cassin (1813–1869).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1855
- graphic artist
- Sinclair, Thomas
- Dreser, William
- printer
- Nicholson, A. O. P.
- publisher
- United States Navy
- author
- Cassin, John
- Gilliss, James Melville
- ID Number
- 2008.0175.03
- accession number
- 2008.0175
- catalog number
- 2008.0175.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Lithograph of bird species "Ericornis Melanura and Scytalopus Fuscus"
- Description
- Thomas Sinclair (c.1805–1881) of Philadelphia printed this chromolithograph of “Ericornis melanura [Gray] adult and Scytalopus fuscus [Gould],” now "Chilia melanura" (Crag chilia), and "Scytalopus fuscus" (Dusky tapaculo), from an original sketch by William Dreser (c. 1820–after 1860) of Philadelphia (1847–1860) and New York (1860). The illustration was published in 1855 by A.O.P. Nicholson in Washington, D.C. as Plate XXI in the “Birds” section of volume II of The United States Naval Astronomical Survey to the Southern Hemisphere, written by John Cassin (1813–1869).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date of book publication
- 1855
- graphic artist
- Sinclair, Thomas
- original artist
- Dreser, William
- printer
- Nicholson, A. O. P.
- publisher
- United States Navy
- author
- Cassin, John
- Gilliss, James Melville
- ID Number
- 2008.0175.05
- accession number
- 2008.0175
- catalog number
- 2008.0175.05
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Chromolithograph of bird species "Euphonia Rufiventris adult male and Chlorophonia Occipitalis adulte male"
- Description
- Thomas Sinclair (c.1805–1881) of Philadelphia printed this chromolithograph of “Euphonia rufiventis [Vieill] adult male and Chlorophonia occipitalis [Du Bus] adult male,” now "Euphonia rufiventris" (Rufous-bellied euphonia) and "Chlorophonia occipitalis" (Blue-crowned chlorophonia), from an original sketch by William Dreser (c.1820–after 1860) of Philadelphia (1847–1860) and New York (1860). This is an unfinished proof, whose final version was published in 1855 by A.O.P. Nicholson in Washington, D.C. as Plate XXI in the “Birds” section of volume II of The United States Naval Astronomical Survey to the Southern Hemisphere, written by John Cassin (1813–1869).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date of book publication
- 1855
- graphic artist
- Sinclair, Thomas
- original artist
- Dreser, William
- printer
- Nicholson, A. O. P.
- publisher
- United States Navy
- author
- Cassin, John
- Gilliss, James Melville
- ID Number
- 2008.0175.06
- accession number
- 2008.0175
- catalog number
- 2008.0175.06
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center