Science History Institute
LightNews LightNews
banner
sciencehistory.org
Science History Institute
@sciencehistory.org
600 followers 46 following 45 posts
Sharing the stories of science! 🧬 🔬
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram
@scihistoryorg
Posts Replies Media Videos
sciencehistory.org
The Othmer Library is celebrating #Halloween 🎃! When our electric pencil sharpener broke, staff replaced it with a Mitsubishi KH-20 manual sharpener, which became a hit! Jahna Auerbach, our digital collections librarian, dressed up as the sharpener for Halloween, and the results are fantastic!
October 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
samkean.bsky.social
The eagle that made John James Audubon famous—the Bird of Washington—was a fraud. In fact, historians now know that much of Audubon’s legendary life was built on lies. Episode below!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
October 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
explorationblog.bsky.social
Claire Sabel discusses the gem trade in SE Asia & the way it was impacted by European traders 17-18c @uchicagopress.bsky.social
@scarcerc.bsky.social
@harunkucuk.bsky.social
@univie.ac.at
@nhmwien.bsky.social
@sciencehistory.org
@historyscience.bsky.social timetoeatthedogs.com/2025/10/27/g...
Gems, Science, and Empire
17th century traders who traveled the sea routes between India and Southeast Asia were interested in spices, but they were also interested in gemstones, objects of desire, commercial value, and inc…
timetoeatthedogs.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
roguechieftan.bsky.social
Check out my new environmental history of diaspora and empire through mules with @sciencehistory.org
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
Mule Power
Unpacking empires and diaspora in Mexico and the United States.
www.sciencehistory.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
abney.bsky.social
Absolutely delighted to announce that applications are now open for our 26-27 postdoc, dissertation, distinguished, and short-term fellowships at @sciencehistory.org! 📚 🎉

Details and application info on our website; questions welcome here!

www.sciencehistory.org/about/news/a...
Applications for 2026–2027 Beckman Center Fellowships Now Open
Researchers can apply by January 15 for various long- and short-term programs, including two-year curatorial fellowships.
www.sciencehistory.org
October 17, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
samkean.bsky.social
The Ig Nobel Prizes honor bizarre research that makes you laugh, then think—like this levitating frog. Some scientists despise them. But they benefit science in surprising ways. Episode below!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

@scihistoryorg sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
October 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
samkean.bsky.social
It's Nobel Prize week. Winning a Nobel is good—mostly. But laureates often go kooky and promote bizarre things like ESP, AIDS denialism, and worse. Psychologists now understand why. New podcast season starts today!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

@scihistoryorg sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
October 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
sciencehistory.org
Older than most trees and survivors of 5 mass extinctions, horseshoe crabs now face threats from humans. While blue blood has been used to test medicine for decades, will new tech finally set them free? Find out more in our latest Distillations story, written by @jenniferweeks83.bsky.social ⬇️
Something Old, Something New
Humans owe a huge medical debt to horseshoe crabs. Now there’s an opportunity to pay it back.
www.sciencehistory.org
September 24, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
science.org
A storied trove of documents, photos, and lab tools from the race to decipher DNA’s structure and function is finally being made public. https://scim.ag/47GNqze
After bizarre journey, prized history of molecular biology archive finds new home
Science History Institute makes public multimillion-dollar collection, including Rosalind Franklin’s famous DNA image, assembled by fake scientist
scim.ag
September 16, 2025 at 10:24 PM
sciencehistory.org
Check out our feature in @science.org ⬇️
After bizarre journey, prized history of molecular biology archive finds new home | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
After bizarre journey, prized history of molecular biology archive finds new home
Science History Institute makes public multimillion-dollar collection, including Rosalind Franklin’s famous DNA image, assembled by fake scientist
www.science.org
September 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
cenmag.bsky.social
Science historians have a new resource they can tap to better understand the early days of molecular biology. The nonprofit @sciencehistory.org this week added the History of Molecular Biology Collection to its library of materials. cen.acs.org/biological-c... #chemsky 🧪
Science History Institute library acquires original Rosalind Franklin materials and other artifacts
The library’s History of Molecular Biology Collection includes written materials, X-ray prints, and photos related to the discovery of DNA
cen.acs.org
September 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
jcvi.org
We are thrilled to announce that the @sciencehistory.org has acquired our incredible History of Microbiology Collection that we have proudly preserved for over 20 years. We couldn’t think of a better organization to pass this important collection to.

www.sciencehistory.org/about/press/...
Science History Institute Acquires Molecular Biology Archive That Includes Rosalind Franklin’s Historic ‘Photo 51’
This unparalleled collection documents the race to identify DNA’s double-helix structure and other significant developments that formed the foundation of molecular biology.
www.sciencehistory.org
September 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
drsurekhadavies.bsky.social
"It's up to us whether to worry about whether we're monsters or to celebrate uniqueness. And in the monster there is beauty."

I got to chat with host Alexis Pedrick in the studio for the Distillations podcast at @sciencehistory.org. Listen now:

💙📚 🧪 🗃 #medieval #earlymodern #histsci #histmed #HAMH
Humans and Monsters: An Interview with Surekha Davies
A conversation with the author of 'Humans: A Monstrous History.'
www.sciencehistory.org
September 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
bhgross144.bsky.social
Exciting news from my colleagues @sciencehistory.org! This archive documents the early history of #MolecularBiology & efforts to determine the structure of #DNA.

@matthewcobb.bsky.social provides an overview of its contents & significance in the thread below.

#histSTM #histsci #histbio #Molbio 🗃️📜🧬
matthewcobb.bsky.social Matthew Cobb @matthewcobb.bsky.social · Sep 8
News in the history of molecular biology. The Science History Institute in Philadelphia has acquired a huge archive of correspondence and other scientific material from the pioneers of molecular biology (Franklin, Klug, Perutz, Delbrück etc, with items from Crick and Watson, too). 1/n
History of Molecular Biology Collection
This unparalleled collection includes Rosalind Franklin's historic 'Photo 51,' which revealed the double-helix structure of DNA.
www.sciencehistory.org
September 8, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
matthewcobb.bsky.social
News in the history of molecular biology. The Science History Institute in Philadelphia has acquired a huge archive of correspondence and other scientific material from the pioneers of molecular biology (Franklin, Klug, Perutz, Delbrück etc, with items from Crick and Watson, too). 1/n
History of Molecular Biology Collection
This unparalleled collection includes Rosalind Franklin's historic 'Photo 51,' which revealed the double-helix structure of DNA.
www.sciencehistory.org
September 8, 2025 at 12:28 PM
sciencehistory.org
*NEWS* @sciencehistory.org has acquired the History of Molecular Biology Collection from the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI). This unparalleled collection documents the race to identify DNA’s double-helix structure and other significant developments that formed the foundation of molecular biology.
Science History Institute Acquires Molecular Biology Archive That Includes Rosalind Franklin’s Historic ‘Photo 51’
This unparalleled collection documents the race to identify DNA’s double-helix structure and other significant developments that formed the foundation of molecular biology.
www.sciencehistory.org
September 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
sciencehistory.org
🎉 On October 8, join us for A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An Earthly Matters Opening Celebration! Celebrate our new exhibition, Earthly Matters, with light bites, curator talks, rare books, mineral specimens, and more! This event FREE, but registration is required. www.sciencehistory.org/opening
A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An 'Earthly Matters' Opening Celebration
Celebrate the opening of our new permanent exhibition featuring a collection of more than 20 minerals.
www.sciencehistory.org
August 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
sciencehistory.org
🎙️NEW DISTILLATIONS PODCAST EPISODE🎙️⁠
⁠
Producer Mariel Carr talks to science historian Luis Campos about his article “Strains of Andromeda,” and discusses how Michael Crichton’s novel and film shaped 1970s debates on recombinant DNA research. ⬇️
The Andromeda Strain: An Interview with Luis Campos
In 1971, a film based on Michael Crichton’s book brought out biohazard fears to the fore.
www.sciencehistory.org
August 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
sciencehistory.org
🚨🎙️ #Distillations Podcast is back with new episodes dropping weekly!⁠ In the latest episode, join us as we dive deep into the controversial origins of genetic engineering research.⁠
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/dist...
The People vs. Recombinant DNA
In 1976, one small city nearly brought cutting-edge science to a halt.
www.sciencehistory.org
August 5, 2025 at 3:17 PM
sciencehistory.org
💥BOOM! BANG! POW!💥 It's First Friday: Gene-ius Quizzo!⁠
⁠
🦕 Are you a Jurassic Park superfan? Think you know your genetically modified villains and heroes? This Friday, August 1, join us at 6pm for a lively night of Quizzo!⁠

www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events...
First Friday: Gene-ius Quizzo
Put your pop culture knowledge to the test in a fun trivia game inspired by your favorite films—and the real science behind them.
www.sciencehistory.org
July 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
amybrady.bsky.social
Loved this article about Mary Engle Pennington, a scientist and "cold chain" pioneer who transformed the U.S. refrigeration industry via @sciencehistory.org

www.sciencehistory.org/education/sc...
Mary Engle Pennington
A chemist, inventor, and entrepreneur who transformed the U.S. refrigeration industry in the early 20th century, Pennington helped ensure year-round access to foods free from bacterial contamination.
www.sciencehistory.org
July 28, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
bhgross144.bsky.social
I'll put in a plug for my friends @sciencehistory.org, which is just a few blocks away from Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell. They recently opened an exhibition on the history of school lunches that looks like a lot of fun!

www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi...

#histSTM #histsci
Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray
Our new exhibition offers a novel historical perspective on efforts to feed children in U.S. schools.
www.sciencehistory.org
July 24, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
carolinedouglas.bsky.social
I’m in the final few days of my 3 month fellowship at the Science History Institute, Philadelphia. I have been researching the work of the chemist Elizabeth Fulhame who began her photochemical studies in 1780 Edinburgh and by 1798 was a corresponding member of the Philadelphia Chemical Society.
July 14, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Science History Institute
agnesjuliet.bsky.social
I wrote an article about the Gerson Therapy, and what it is about cancer and its history that attracts so many alternative treatments. For the @sciencehistory.org’s Distillations magazine www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
Gerson’s Magic Bullet
Why have so many rejected established cancer therapies for juice cocktails and coffee enemas?
www.sciencehistory.org
July 18, 2025 at 7:14 AM
sciencehistory.org
🎉TOMORROW! ☔️ Rain or 🌞 shine! Meet us at 315 Chestnut Street for Curious Histories Fest! We'll have hands-on activities, tasty food, free ice cream, and family-friendly fun! PLUS, the first 100 visitors will receive a free lunchbox! See you there! ➡️ sciencehistory.org/fest
Curious Histories Fest: What's for Lunch?
Join us for a delicious daylong celebration of food science and fun!
sciencehistory.org
June 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM