Natural Philosophy Collection

Precisely! is a virtual exhibition of some of the artefacts in our collection of historical scientific instruments. It is based on a real exhibition in one of Aberdeen's central galleries that we had as part of the 500th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the University of Aberdeen. Each theme had a general panel giving background information. There were, in addition, brief explanatory paragraphs for each exhibited piece. Not all the exhibited pieces translate easily to this virtual exhibition but a selection has been made, which we shall enlarge in due course. The selected areas are:

• Introductory panel (this page)
• 18th Century Instruments
• 19th Century Optical Instruments
• 20th Century Instruments
• Aberdeen Instrument Makers
• Instruments by Professor R.V. Jones
• Galvanometers

Introduction

Science is about observation, about measurement, about understanding.

When you are observing nature, it soon becomes clear that it is better to observe carefully one phenomenon at a time. To isolate a phenomenon, to make it stand out briefly, it is often better to set up a special piece of apparatus. With that apparatus the phenomenon can be observed with clarity. Our virtual exhibition contains pieces of apparatus each built to demonstrate just one particular phenomenon, precisely!

What has made the science of physics perhaps the most successful human endeavour ever undertaken has been the system of measurement upon which much of physics is based. When you can not only observe phenomena but can measure them, in a system of units that is agreed in every country in the world by every colour and creed of human, that is progress. When you can extend your measurements from everyday objects down to the very atoms from which we are all made and up to the furthest reaches of the observable universe, that is progress. Our exhibition contains two centuries of scientific instruments, aiming to measure nature, precisely!

The results of observation and measurement form almost timeless records. For example, the science books of 200 years ago are full of descriptions, facts and figures that are as valid now as they were when they were made. Understanding, though, is often connected more closely with the general culture and values of a particular epoch. Understanding involves synthesis and interpretation. We each generate our own understanding. A few people of extraordinary talent manage that synthesis better than the rest of us. They generate new perceptions and produce 'the laws of physics'. One such was the true genius James Clerk Maxwell, who was Professor at Aberdeen about 140 years ago. He taught at Marischal College, and he lived in rented accommodation at 129 Union Street. In the century and a half since Clerk Maxwell began his scientific career, generations across the world have looked at the understanding he had and said 'precisely!'

Our virtual exhibition shows examples of scientific apparatus associated with Aberdeen over the past 250 years. Most of it was used in the University of Aberdeen as we now know it, or in one of the two Universities of Marischal College and King's College that were in Aberdeen prior to 1860. It comes from the hidden treasures of the University's Natural Philosophy Collection, most of which is not normally on display either in the University or elsewhere, due to lack of resources.

A modest number of items were made or supplied by Aberdeen instrument makers. A few were made in the University itself. Most, though, came from prestigious makers in the South for, as is said elsewhere in the exhibition, Aberdeen was too small and too remote to sustain a vigorous scientific instrument trade. A brief historical background is given to help interpret the different groups of equipment. We give a short description of what each piece of apparatus is intended for. In real life you can equally enjoy the items simply for their shapes and their colour, the texture of the materials and the craftsmanship of their construction. They are products of society that most of us don't normally see, each made for one purpose precisely!