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Tigermoth

Science and Technology

Ours is one of the most important collections of scientific and technological material in Britain.

  • Science collections include: scientific instruments, measurement and precision apparatus, Scottish lighthouse optics and apparatus associated with pure and applied research in modern science.
  • Transport collections reflect the development of transport from the horse to jet aircraft, and from native boat to computer designed vehicles. 
  • Communications collections cover printing, telegraphy and telephony, sound and recording, radio, television and broadcasting. This section holds items from the BT Connected Earth collection.
  • Industry and engineering collections include civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, mining and mineral processing and Scottish industry past and present.

Science at National Museums of Scotland

Want to discover how we are deliver our vision of becoming a leader in enabling public engagement with science and technology through exhibitions, programmes and events? Our publication, Science at National Museums Scotland, shows how through our many exhibitions, programmes and events we are delivering our vision of being a leader in enabling public engagement with science and technology.

Science and Technology department

Alexander Hayward: Keeper of Science & Technology

Alexander HaywardSpecific responsibility: Overall responsibility for the departmental collections and policy.
Research interest/expertise: mechanical engineering including power technology, machine tools and manufacturing, history of science and technology museums.

You can find out more about Alexander Hayward here.

Dr Alison Morrison-Low: Principal Curator of Science

Dr Alison Morrison-LowSpecific responsibility: History of science pre 1900 including scientific instrumentation (used professionally, domestically and in teaching).
Research interest/expertise: History of photography, Science in the Scottish Enlightenment, scientific instrument manufacturing, navigation and Scottish lighthouses.

You can find out more about Dr Alison Morrison-Low here.

Louise Innes: Principal Curator of Transport

Louise InnesSpecific responsibility: Aviation, Road, Rail and Maritime transport.
Research interest/expertise: General transport and the Scottish Transport Industry.

You can find out more about Louise Innes here.

Alison Taubman: Principal Curator of Communications & BT Connected Earth Curator

Specific responsibility: Telegraphy, telephony, printing. Development of the BT Connected Earth partnership.
Research interest/expertise: History of telegraphy, telephony and printing.
Contemporary collecting: telecommunications collections.

Klaus Staubermann: Principal Curator of Technology

Specific responsibility: Technology collections, including engineering and industry.
Research interest/expertise: Production and manufacturing, skills and practices.

Tacye Phillipson: Curator of Science

Specific responsibility: Modern science including computing and space.
Research interest/expertise: Experimental science techniques, sound and music.

Elsa Davidson: Curator of Technology

Specific responsibility: Technology collections.
Research interest/expertise: Energy technology, politics and sociology of technology.

Sarah Park: Assistant Curator of Technology (Maternity Cover)

Specific responsibility: Curatorial support for technology collections.
Research interest/expertise: Domestic technology.

Katarina Grant: Assistant Curator of Technology (on maternity leave)

Specific responsibility: Curatorial support for technology collections.
Research interest/expertise: Materials collection.

Julie Orford: Assistant Curator of Science

Specific responsibility: Curatorial support for Science collections.

Ian Brown: Assistant Curator of Aviation

Specific responsibility: Curatorial support for Aviation collections.
Research interest/expertise: History of radar, Scottish military aviation.

Alan Mills: Assistant Curator of Communications

Specific responsibility: Curatorial support for Communications collections.
Research interest/expertise: History of TV, radio and audio collections in relation to Scotland, Scottish inventors and innovators.

Maureen Kerr: Departmental Administrator

Can be contacted on 0131 247 4274 m.kerr@nms.ac.uk

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  • Science at our museums
  • Connect
  • Communicate!
  • Shaping our World
  • Art and Industry
  • Earth in Space
  • Restless Earth

Highlights

  • Concorde
  • Boulton and Watt engine
  • John Lang Lathe
  • Toy atomic power station
  • Nimrod XV241
  • Rolling ball clock
  • Hillman Imp
  • Schmidt telescope 
  • Newcomen engine
  • Avro Anson
  • Chantal Meteor jukebox
  • Sendtner orrery
  • Ruston excavator
  • Cockcroft-Walton generator 

The Feast Bowl

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130