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.
From the Museum
The foundation of a museum
We’ve collected together photographs of the Museum from 1924 to the start of 2000 for you to explore.
My favourite object...
Helen Pooley (Primary Education Officer) talks about her favourite object, an armillary sphere once owned by an Earl.
Consider making a donation
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
Wondrous wheelwork
This is the oldest complete geared machine in the world.
It was made in the early 1200s in Isfahan (modern-day Iran) and is part of a largely lost tradition that goes all the way back to the more complex but fragmentary remains of the celebrated ancient Greek Antikythera mechanism.
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.
