iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 25/09/2026

Read the latest #Distillations story written by Boston-based journalist and former senior editor at The Conversation U.S., Jennifer Weeks @jenniferweeks83.bsky.social. www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 04/03/2026

This #WomensHistoryMonth, explore powerful historic images and stories of women in science in our digital collections. From labs to fieldwork, women's contributions to science and history have sparked innovation, challenged assumptions, and opened doors for future generations. ⬇️ rb.gy/v7ytpj

Photo of woman using a Beckman Microlab 252MX Computing Infrared Spectrophotometer

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 31/10/2025

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!

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 08/09/2025

"We’re also actively digitizing the materials from the collection to provide free global access through our website,” said Michelle DiMeo, vice president of collections and programs and the Arnold Thackray Director of the Othmer Library.

Les Prix Nobel en 1962: On the Genetic Code by F. H. C. Crick, cover of Francis Crick’s 1962 Nobel Prize lecture. Courtesy of Science History Institute.

Handwritten note from Maurice Wilkins giving access to Aaron Klug at King’s College London’s Biophysics Research Unit, 1956. Courtesy of Science History Institute.

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 08/09/2025

A glass jar called a “desiccator” that removes moisture and humidity, and other historic artifacts used in Franklin and Gosling’s DNA experiments are also part of the collection.

Rosalind Franklin’s vacuum desiccator, after 1940–before 1958. Courtesy of Science History Institute. Desiccant crystals remain in the bottom lobe of the device. A valve on the side of the upper lobe allows a vacuum to be attached.

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 08/09/2025

In this collection: Franklin’s own copy of Photo 51, the groundbreaking image used to reveal DNA’s structure. Taken in 1952 by Franklin and her PhD student, Raymond Gosling, Photo 51 displayed the X-ray diffraction pattern of DNA and provided the clearest evidence that DNA is in fact a double helix.

$DNA X-ray Diffraction Image Known as Photo 51, annotated by Rosalind Franklin and Aaron Klug, ca. 1953. Courtesy of Science History Institute.$ Back of Photo 51, with handwritten annotations by Rosalind Franklin and Aaron Klug, ca. 1953. Courtesy of Science History Institute.

Back of Photo 51, with handwritten annotations by Rosalind Franklin and Aaron Klug, ca. 1953. Courtesy of Science History Institute.

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 08/09/2025

The History of Molecular Biology Collection includes the papers of Nobel laureates Aaron Klug and Max Perutz, plus unique materials from other Nobelists and celebrated scientists, including Rosalind Franklin, Francis Crick, James Watson, Maurice Wilkins, and Linus Pauling.

Photo of Rosalind Franklin on vacation in Italy, 1950. Courtesy of Science History Institute.

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 02/04/2025

📣 The Science History Institute is currently seeking a passionate and dedicated Philanthropy Manager to join our team! Full Time 35+ hrs Philadelphia, PA, US⁠ Salary Range:⁠ $75,000.00 To $75,000.00 Annually Visit sciencehistory.org/careers to apply!

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 20/03/2025

Thank you @bethlinker.bsky.social for this engaging and insightful talk about the history of America's obsession with posture in the 20th century. Learn more about our Science and Society speaker series on our website: sciencehistory.org/slouch

Dr. Beth Linker at the Science History Institute.

Dr. Beth Linker giving a talk about the research for her book Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America.

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 24/02/2025

Thank you MIT Libraries for providing this original photo of the 1975 Asilomar Conference organizers: Maxine Singer, Norton Zinder, Sydney Brenner, and Paul Berg. To learn more about this historic meeting listen to our latest Distillations podcast episode: Science, Interrupted. ⬇️ rb.gy/j5uj8g

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 18/02/2025

Indigo is a widely beloved dye, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern blue jeans. Its unique chemical properties led to intense competition for synthetic alternatives in the late 1800s, resulting in environmental challenges that still affect indigo-dyeing regions today.⁠

Barlow's Indigo Blue dye. 1860s. Cardboard box which at one time contained two dozen, wooden dye containers sealed with paper labels. Each contained an indigo fabric dye puck.

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 11/02/2025

This day reminds us that diversity in science not only enhances the quality of scientific exploration but also ensures that the benefits of scientific advancements are more equitably distributed around the world.

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 11/02/2025

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! 🌍💫 At the Science History Institute, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in science who have shaped history and continue to inspire innovation! #ScienceHistory #WomenInScience

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 04/02/2025

Henry Aaron Hill, born in St. Joseph, Missouri, was also known for founding National Polychemicals in 1952 to supply chemical intermediates to the burgeoning polymer-products industry for use in various polymerization processes.⁠

View of a nylon drawing machine and creel (a rack holding bobbins or spools for spinning) used at the DuPont plant in Seaford, Delaware during the early stages of nylon production and research.

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 04/02/2025

In celebration of #BlackHistoryMonth, we'd like to honor Dr. Henry Aaron Hill (1915–1979), who became the first Black president of the American Chemical Society in 1977. ⁠⬇️ www.sciencehistory.org/education/sc...

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 27/01/2025

📣 Come work with us! The Science History Institute is currently seeking dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our team. Here, we share the incredible stories that have helped shape the history of science and innovation.⁠ Tap here to apply ⬇️ sciencehistory.org/careers

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Science History Institute @sciencehistory.org · 18/12/2024

Thank you to all of our collaborators for their continued work on this project, including Atkin Olshin Schade (AOS) Architects who provided the lobby renderings below.⁠

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