Curious Devices and Mighty Machines

Download or read book Curious Devices and Mighty Machines written by Samuel J. M. M. Alberti and published by Reaktion Books. This book was released on 2022-09-26 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From their quirky origins to their contemporary role as centers of advocacy, a look at the secret lives of science museums—past, present, and future. Science museums have paradoxes at their core. They must be accessible and fun while representing increasingly complex science. They must be both historic and contemporary. Their exhibits attract millions, but most of their objects remain in deep storage, seldom seen. This book delves into these conflicts, revealing the secret lives of science curators; where science objects come from and who uses them; and, ultimately, what science museums are for. With an insider’s eye, Samuel J. M. M. Alberti exposes the idiosyncratic past and intriguing current practices of these institutions—and sets out a map for their future.