Science History Institute

October 2024 Meeting of the Joseph Priestley SocietyThe human stewardship of the earth is undergoing a metamorphosis and for very good reasons. The planet is getting hotter, and the situation is getting worse. Climate change represents the most important issue of our time, and it has created the need for development of new technologies to address the consequences of higher ambient temperatures. The built environment demands more energy for cooling, and the energy grid is struggling to keep up, making energy efficiency an important part of the response. Outside of transportation, heating and cooling commercial and residential spaces is an

From Gore-Tex to do-it-yourself kits, hear how synthetic fibers have transformed the outdoor industry.Join us in person or online as historian Rachel Gross, author of Shopping All the Way to the Woods: How the Outdoor Industry Sold Nature to America, examines how our changing ideas about nature, commerce, and self-identity have shaped the outdoor goods market into a booming, multi-billion-dollar industry.Gore-Tex and Do-It-Yourself Kits: How Synthetic Fibers Transformed the Outdoor IndustryOutdoorspeople flipping through the pages of popular magazines such as Backpacker or Field and Stream in the late 1970s would have seen page after page referencing a revolution in materials.

This annual public lecture celebrates the positive role that the chemical and molecular sciences play in our lives.The 2024 Ullyot Public Affairs Lecture will be presented by Omar Yaghi, James and Neeltje Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley.Endowed in 1990 by chemist Glenn Edgar Ullyot, this annual lecture seeks to emphasize to the general public the positive role the chemical and molecular sciences play in our daily lives. It is organized jointly with the Department of Chemistry and the Department of History and Sociology of Science at the University of Pennsylvania; the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Join chemist and author Michelle Francl for an intriguing evening exploring the science behind the world’s most popular beverage: tea!Tea can be a pick-me-up or give us a meditative moment. It’s been used to secure diplomacy and friendship, and been a coveted, contested commodity.Dr. Francl’s recent book, Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea, explores the science behind caffeine; the perfect temperature for steeping your tea leaves; the secret benefits of drying, roasting, and aging; and so much more. You’ll never experience your favorite tea—whether black, green, or pu’erh—the same way again!About the SpeakerMichelle M. Francl, PhD is the Frank B. Mallory

This workshop provides scholars and researchers interested with a foundation in oral history and research interview methodologies.The Center for Oral History at the Science History Institute is proud to provide training to scholars and researchers interested in learning oral history and research interview methodologies.This online workshop will introduce attendees to all aspects of the interview process, including general oral history theory and methodology, in-person and remote interviewing techniques, legal and ethical issues, transcription practices, archiving, recording equipment and its use, data management, and other relevant topics. Attendees are encouraged to bring their research ideas for discussion/feedback. Individuals interested in doing

February 2025 Meeting of the Joseph Priestley SocietyAchieving plastics circularity requires efficient collection and sorting, coupled with robust recycling technology.This panel discussion features experts from Eastman Chemical, EFS-plastics Inc., and the Centre County (PA) Recycling and Refuse Authority. Topics include chemical recycling with PET resin, mechanical recycling of multiple polymer types, and the challenges that are created when a largely rural county (Centre County) is home to a major university (Penn State University), particularly on football Saturdays.Each speaker will present their unique perspectives on the recycling process and the progress they see being made, as well as give an overview

March 2025 Meeting of the Joseph Priestley SocietyAbout the SpeakersEmily Levitt Ruppert received her PhD in international nutrition from Cornell University and her BA in archaeology and anthropology and an MPhil in material anthropology and museum ethnography from Oxford University. She has most recently served as an independent consultant and research advisor to the Afghanistan Institute of Nutrition and Home Economics.Jesse Smith is the director of curatorial affairs and digital content at the Science History Institute, where he oversees collecting activities and interpretive projects in the public history of science and technology. He is the curator of Lunchtime: The History

Join us for a fun and interactive evening event exploring rare books, archives, and library collections.Join our curators and librarians for a fun after-hours event in the Othmer Library’s reading room where you’ll have the opportunity tosee unexpected treasures not usually on displaymake a craft to take homesupport the library by adopting collection itemsand much more!About the Othmer LibraryThe Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer Library of Chemical History is an independent research library encompassing the history of chemistry and related sciences and industries.The Othmer Library was founded in 1988 when Donald and Mildred Topp Othmer announced their challenge grant

The Science History Institute invites you to an evening of music and scientific wonder with goth-folk duo Charming Disaster! Charming Disaster’s newest album, The Double, explores the world that exists behind the one we know, featuring songs inspired by nature, mortality, magic, ritual, and literary genres ranging from science fiction to Victorian horror. Through darkly whimsical songs about time travel, transformation, and the power of ritual, Charming Disaster celebrates the strange beauty of the natural world hidden world just beyond our perception—from the familiar trees in your backyard to the fantastical forests of imagination. Before the concert, join us in

This workshop provides scholars and researchers interested with a foundation in oral history and research interview methodologies.The Center for Oral History at the Science History Institute is proud to provide training to scholars and researchers interested in learning oral history and research interview methodologies.This online workshop will introduce attendees to all aspects of the interview process, including general oral history theory and methodology, in-person and remote interviewing techniques, legal and ethical issues, transcription practices, archiving, recording equipment and its use, data management, and other relevant topics. Attendees are encouraged to bring their research ideas for discussion/feedback. Individuals interested in doing

Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!Since its founding in 1988, the Othmer Library at the Science History Institute has been a haven for research in the history of science—but there's more to the story. Explore the reading room on a guided tour, learn how our collection has grown, and discover why we have one of the most comprehensive rare book collections on chemistry and its alchemical roots.Guests 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Sixty years ago, in Gainesville, Florida, a new drink called Gatorade was created. The idea for Gatorade was sparked by an unlikely conversation between a University of Florida nephrologist named James Robert Cade and an assistant coach for the Florida Gators, Dewayne Douglas. Dehydrated and occasionally hospitalized, players were losing their games. According to Cade’s research, they were also losing an average of 18 pounds of water and critical amounts of sodium and chloride per 3½ hour game. Cade developed a mix of replacement fluids, containing glucose, sodium, potassium, phosphate and water. It tasted awful. Liberally doctored with lemon juice

Join the Science History Institute for opening of our new permanent exhibition featuring a collection of over 20 minerals.Across centuries and cultures, minerals have provided humans with essential raw materials. But how have we come to know and use the natural world?Join the Science History Institute as we celebrate the opening of Earthly Matters, our new permanent exhibition that explores the history and science behind a collection of more than 20 minerals. These elements, crystals, gemstones—and even a meteorite!—tell stories of human curiosity about the natural world around us. Visitors will learn about the long history of minerals and how

Topics will range from medieval medicine to modern climate science.The Science History Institute is pleased to cohost the Fall 2025 meeting of the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry (SHAC). Invited speakers will present papers for discussion on topics ranging from medieval medicine to modern climate science.The Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry (SHAC), founded in 1935, has a long-standing tradition in the fields of alchemy and chemistry, organizing colloquia, publications and promoting the interdisciplinary study of the field from its early beginnings to the present. It brings together members interested in the history of chemistry

Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!Since its founding in 1988, the Othmer Library at the Science History Institute has been a haven for research in the history of science—but there's more to the story. Explore the reading room on a guided tour, learn how our collection has grown, and discover why we have one of the most comprehensive rare book collections on chemistry and its alchemical roots.Guests 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

January 2026 Meeting of the Joseph Priestley SocietyHarvesting Earth's internal heat has been practiced since Roman times, but recent interest has grown in geothermal as a reliable, continuous clean power source. Brian Schmidt of Geothermal Rising will overview the industry's history and technological advances. Jill Karpinski and Andy Feick of Swarthmore College will share details about transitioning their campus heating and cooling systems to geo-exchange as a cost-effective climate mitigation strategy with minimal campus disruption.About the SpeakersBrian Schmidt has served as librarian and industry analyst for Geothermal Rising since 2011. Previously, he served in a variety of library and research

A private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objectsThis touch-based tour offers guests a private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects from our collection.The tour begins with an introduction to natural fibers, such as wool and linen, and moves on to the development of plastics and synthetic materials like Nylon and GORE-TEX. Guests will leave with a better understanding of how these fibers changed our world and how the changing world influenced our desire for high-tech textiles.This

Join us on First Friday as we unveil the newest exhibition in our A Closer Read series. Philadelphia was once known as the “workshop of the world” due to the abundance of factories, products, and infrastructure located within the city. From the 1800s through the 1920s, ships, yarn, paints, and more were manufactured on the banks of the Schuylkill and Delaware. This display features works originally published by some of the pioneering companies that made Philadelphia an industrial powerhouse. Guests can enjoy handling collection activities in our museum and a talk by curator Caroline Meehan, followed by a light reception.

This Women’s History Month, you’re invited to a thought-provoking presentation where leading gender and science scholar Sarah S. Richardson charts the untold history of the idea that women’s health and behavior during pregnancy can have long-term effects on their children’s health and welfare. The Maternal Imprint, Richardson’s groundbreaking book, offers a critical analysis of conceptual and ethical issues—in particular, the staggering implications for maternal well-being and reproductive autonomy—provoked by the striking rise of epigenetics and fetal origins science in postgenomic biology today. Richardson examines what we might take for granted about human pregnancy, and invites us to challenge our values

Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!Since its founding in 1988, the Othmer Library at the Science History Institute has been a haven for research in the history of science—but there's more to the story. Explore the reading room on a guided tour, learn how our collection has grown, and discover why we have one of the most comprehensive rare book collections on chemistry and its alchemical roots.Guests 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

A private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects

April 2026 Meeting of the Joseph Priestley SocietyNumerous recent studies in the U.S. and abroad have focused on the benefits of beautiful, natural surroundings to health and happiness. Cities and urbanites are paying increasing attention to the impact of their connection to the outdoors. How has access to green space in urban areas in the Philadelphia region evolved over time? What has the relationship between the city and the natural environment been in contrast to today? And how have these shaped our understanding of what makes a healthy urban life?Tim Bennett gives us insights on Bennett Compost’s efforts to make

A private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects

This workshop provides scholars and researchers interested with a foundation in oral history and research interview methodologies.The Center for Oral History at the Science History Institute is pleased to provide training to scholars and researchers interested in learning oral history and research interview methodologies.This online workshop will introduce attendees to all aspects of the interview process, including general oral history theory and methodology, in-person and remote interviewing techniques, legal and ethical issues, transcription practices, archiving, recording equipment and its use, data management, and other relevant topics. Attendees are encouraged to bring their research ideas for discussion/feedback. Individuals interested in doing

A private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects

A private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objectsTouch Tours is a recurring program taking place on the second Tuesday of every month. This touch-based tour offers guests a private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects from our collection.From Nature to Nylons begins with an introduction to natural fibers, such as wool and linen, and moves on to the development of plastics and synthetic materials like Nylon and GORE-TEX. Guest will leave with a better understanding of