Scientific Instrument Collection

In 1972 the Macleay Museum held an exhibition of Historical and Interesting Scientific Instruments drawn from several departments. At the conclusion of the exhibition some apparatus was returned to departments. Other departments felt this historic material should be retained in the museum. So began the scientific instrument collection.

Today there are more than 1000 items in the collection. Microscopy and electrical apparatus are well represented. The collection also includes chemical apparatus and glassware, weights and measures, surveying and navigation, drawing and calculating instruments, and some meteorological instruments.

Previous Exhibitions

• By Land and Sea - Instruments of Place - an exhibition on surveying
• Brass, Glass and Wood - scientific instruments as works of art?
• The Microscope: Science By Design - microscopes from the Scientific Instrument collection.
• Working with Microscopes - accessories and slide preparation
• Slipsticks - slide rules, old and older
• In Sickness and In Health - Body temperature and its measurement
• Pioneer of Precision - Captain Henry Kater - an exhibition on metrology