Science History Institute, Research center and museum in Philadelphia, United States.
Science History Institute is a research center and museum in Pennsylvania, United States, dedicated to the history of scientific disciplines. The facility houses collections of laboratory equipment, manuscripts, and books documenting developments from the 15th to the 20th century.
The institution originated in 1982 as the Center for the History of Chemistry through a collaboration between the American Chemical Society and the University of Pennsylvania. Later, the focus expanded to include other scientific fields, leading to a name change.
The library honors the Othmer family and preserves records of chemical research that visitors can view in reading rooms and exhibition spaces. Interviews with scientists from different decades offer a direct window into the work and daily lives of researchers.
The institute offers access to archives and library holdings for researchers and interested visitors who should register in advance. Exhibition spaces are accessible during opening hours and provide insights into the development of scientific instruments and publications.
The Othmer Library holds alchemical manuscripts and early scientific texts covering centuries of chemical and scientific discoveries. Some of these documents date from times when chemistry was still closely tied to mystical ideas.
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