Failed Historical Scientific Instruments (Scientific Instruments and Collections, 10)

Can a scientific instrument be regarded as a failure? Why and how? By shedding light on the complexity of these questions, the volume marks a step forward in the way historical scientific instruments can be analysed and displayed.
The essays show how diverse failures can be, and how the assessment of scientific devices may change over time ― some surprisingly becoming more successful. In addition to studies of how technical features led to failure, the authors examine the roles played by social bias and behaviour, commercial and economic circumstances, and political factors.

Sara J. Schechner is David P. Wheatland Curator of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments and Lecturer on History of Science at Harvard University. She serves on the Editorial Board for the Scientific Instrument Commission’s series, Scientific Instruments and Collections.

Sofia Talas is the Curator of the Giovanni Poleni Museum, at the University of Padua.