Whipple Museum of the History of Science, University science museum in Cambridge, England
The Whipple Museum holds a large collection of scientific instruments spanning different time periods, including telescopes, microscopes, and mathematical devices. Most objects come from the long history of Cambridge University and show how scientists developed new ways to observe and measure the world.
Robert Whipple gathered scientific instruments during the first half of the 20th century and donated his collection to Cambridge University in 1944. This gift created a museum that later drew researchers and students interested in how scientific equipment developed over time.
The instruments on display reflect the scientific work carried out by scholars across Cambridge University over many centuries. You see how researchers used these tools to observe, measure, and understand the natural world.
The museum sits on Free School Lane, easy to reach on foot if you are in Cambridge's city center. The entrance is step-free and the spaces are manageable, so you can visit at a relaxed pace without feeling rushed.
The collection includes Charles Darwin's microscope from 1846, which he used during his scientific journeys. This particular object connects the history of modern biology directly to the place where visitors can see it today.
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