The History of Science Museum houses the world's finest collection of early scientific instruments from Europe and the Islamic World, including sundials and astrolabes of extraordinary beauty.
More modern objects include microscopes, scientific models, photographic and wireless equipment – and a blackboard still bearing calculations by Albert Einstein.
Multaka-Oxford: Winners of the Collections Trust Award 2019
"This year we were looking for strong examples of ‘use-led’ project, with clearly identifiable outcomes and high levels of community participation. We certainly found that in Multaka."
- Amisha Karia, Collections Trust board member
Current Vacancy: Curator of the Collection from the Islamic World
The Museum seeks to appoint an experienced academic/museum professional as its first ever fulltime curator of the Museum’s world-class collection from the Islamic World.
From the Museum
Family friendly
Moonlight: Christmas Light Festival
Step in to the History of Science Museum for an evening of lunar-inspired activities, talks and close encounters with objects for all ages. Our award-winning Multaka-Oxford team will also be hosting activities, bringing together many different cultures and their perspectives on the moon.
The History of Science Museum is a charity and free to enter. We rely on supporters and donors to maintain the historic building, conserve collections and maintain a lively raft of programmes for the public.
Object of the month
Founding benefactor's choice
The ivory diptych dial was the quintessential Renaissance gadget. To call it a sundial is to underplay its ambition and ingenuity – it was the sixteenth-century equivalent of a smartphone with a multitude of apps.
With a compass to orient the instrument correctly, the device opened up to reveal multiple sundials of different types, telling the time in different hour systems and for use in different places.
How it works
These short films bring to life a selection of working scientific instruments from the Museum's collection. All are on permanent display, but for conservation reasons would not normally be handled or demonstrated in public.
