Science History Institute
@sciencehistory.org
Sharing the stories of science! 🧬 🔬
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@scihistoryorg
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram
@scihistoryorg
A 1700s book on color experiments reveals a vibrant magenta stain, likely from cochineal dye. Modern dyers confirm cochineal-alum makes a similar magenta. Read our latest Collections Blog post, as this stain tells the story of how New World ingredients transformed Old World dyes. ⬇️
A Stain Worth a Thousand Words
New World ingredients in Old World dyes.
www.sciencehistory.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
A 1700s book on color experiments reveals a vibrant magenta stain, likely from cochineal dye. Modern dyers confirm cochineal-alum makes a similar magenta. Read our latest Collections Blog post, as this stain tells the story of how New World ingredients transformed Old World dyes. ⬇️
Reposted by Science History Institute
Judith Kaplan's case study focuses on Science in American Life, an exhibit that opened in 1994 at the National Museum of American History.
As she notes, the exhibit's stakeholders (e.g., curators, donors, the public) had different goals--commemoration, historical educ., sci. literacy, etc. #HSS2025
As she notes, the exhibit's stakeholders (e.g., curators, donors, the public) had different goals--commemoration, historical educ., sci. literacy, etc. #HSS2025
November 14, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Judith Kaplan's case study focuses on Science in American Life, an exhibit that opened in 1994 at the National Museum of American History.
As she notes, the exhibit's stakeholders (e.g., curators, donors, the public) had different goals--commemoration, historical educ., sci. literacy, etc. #HSS2025
As she notes, the exhibit's stakeholders (e.g., curators, donors, the public) had different goals--commemoration, historical educ., sci. literacy, etc. #HSS2025
Reposted by Science History Institute
Smith uses @sciencehistory.org's upcoming exhibit on fireworks (Flash! Bang! Boom!) to highlight many themes familiar to historians of science (e.g., links b/w military & civilian tech; advances in mat. sci & mfg., the creation of safety standards)
www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi... #HSS2025 🎆
www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi... #HSS2025 🎆
November 14, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Smith uses @sciencehistory.org's upcoming exhibit on fireworks (Flash! Bang! Boom!) to highlight many themes familiar to historians of science (e.g., links b/w military & civilian tech; advances in mat. sci & mfg., the creation of safety standards)
www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi... #HSS2025 🎆
www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi... #HSS2025 🎆
Reposted by Science History Institute
He was a brilliant ornithologist—and a spy so colorful that James Bond was based on him. Richard Meinertzhagen was also a liar and a thief, and perpetrated the biggest fraud in biology history. Episode below!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
November 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
He was a brilliant ornithologist—and a spy so colorful that James Bond was based on him. Richard Meinertzhagen was also a liar and a thief, and perpetrated the biggest fraud in biology history. Episode below!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
Reposted by Science History Institute
Glad to publish with @shacorg.bsky.social on the Chinese American Chemical Society and science diplomacy in the 1970s-80s
Very grateful for the generous financial & research support of @sciencehistory.org
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Very grateful for the generous financial & research support of @sciencehistory.org
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
“To Be Mindful of Their Sensitivities:” The Chinese American Chemical Society and the Scientific Diaspora
This paper investigates the Chinese American Chemical Society (CACS) as an organisation of the scientific diaspora at the end of the Cold War. Established in 1981 by mostly first-generation immigra...
www.tandfonline.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Glad to publish with @shacorg.bsky.social on the Chinese American Chemical Society and science diplomacy in the 1970s-80s
Very grateful for the generous financial & research support of @sciencehistory.org
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Very grateful for the generous financial & research support of @sciencehistory.org
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In the latest Distillations Magazine story, find out how a shady car battery additive called AD‑X2 sparked a showdown between the U.S. political and scientific establishments.
@samkean.bsky.social ⬇️
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
@samkean.bsky.social ⬇️
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
Politically Charged
How a shady car battery additive called AD-X2 sparked a showdown between the U.S. country’s political and scientific establishments.
www.sciencehistory.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
In the latest Distillations Magazine story, find out how a shady car battery additive called AD‑X2 sparked a showdown between the U.S. political and scientific establishments.
@samkean.bsky.social ⬇️
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
@samkean.bsky.social ⬇️
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
Reposted by Science History Institute
Rectangle pizza gets a bad wrap, but it did win @sciencehistory.org's School Lunch Bracket!
(This contest was held in connection w/the Institute's exhibit, Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray, open until Jan. 2026 www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi...) #histSTM #FoodHistory 🗃️
(This contest was held in connection w/the Institute's exhibit, Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray, open until Jan. 2026 www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi...) #histSTM #FoodHistory 🗃️
November 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Rectangle pizza gets a bad wrap, but it did win @sciencehistory.org's School Lunch Bracket!
(This contest was held in connection w/the Institute's exhibit, Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray, open until Jan. 2026 www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi...) #histSTM #FoodHistory 🗃️
(This contest was held in connection w/the Institute's exhibit, Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray, open until Jan. 2026 www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi...) #histSTM #FoodHistory 🗃️
Reposted by Science History Institute
Taxonomy has an ugly history of naming species after despicable people—even Adolf Hitler. But taxonomists have resisted most efforts to change such names, for reasons both good and bad. Episode below!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Taxonomy has an ugly history of naming species after despicable people—even Adolf Hitler. But taxonomists have resisted most efforts to change such names, for reasons both good and bad. Episode below!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
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
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!
Reposted by Science History Institute
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
October 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@sciencehistory.org sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
Reposted by Science History Institute
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...
@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
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...
@scarcerc.bsky.social
@harunkucuk.bsky.social
@univie.ac.at
@nhmwien.bsky.social
@sciencehistory.org
@historyscience.bsky.social timetoeatthedogs.com/2025/10/27/g...
Reposted by Science History Institute
Check out my new environmental history of diaspora and empire through mules with @sciencehistory.org
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
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
Check out my new environmental history of diaspora and empire through mules with @sciencehistory.org
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
Reposted by Science History Institute
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...
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
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...
Details and application info on our website; questions welcome here!
www.sciencehistory.org/about/news/a...
Reposted by Science History Institute
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@scihistoryorg sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
October 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@scihistoryorg sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
Reposted by Science History Institute
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@scihistoryorg sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
October 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@scihistoryorg sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
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
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 ⬇️
Reposted by Science History Institute
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
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
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 | 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
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 | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Science History Institute
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
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 🧪
Reposted by Science History Institute
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/...
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
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/...
www.sciencehistory.org/about/press/...
Reposted by Science History Institute
"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
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
"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
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
Reposted by Science History Institute
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 provides an overview of its contents & significance in the thread below.
#histSTM #histsci #histbio #Molbio 🗃️📜🧬
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
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 provides an overview of its contents & significance in the thread below.
#histSTM #histsci #histbio #Molbio 🗃️📜🧬
Reposted by Science History Institute
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
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
*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
*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.
🎉 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
🎉 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