Thursday 12 October 2017, 6pm
King of all Balloons
In this illustrated talk Mark Davies reveals the triumphs and tragedies in the life of Oxford’s James Sadler: a “most ingenious yet unfortunate man”.
James Sadler was the first Englishman to build and fly a hot-air balloon, and with his son Windham he flew from numerous location throughout the British Isles, setting various records in the process. These included the fastest journey ever made, commemorated in a medal displayed in the Museum of the History of Science. Yet despite a lifetime of achievement, bringing him into contact with some of the most significant names in Georgian Britain, James Sadler ended his days back in Oxford in impoverished obscurity. This talk will take place in the room where Sadler assisted the Oxford University Chemist Thomas Beddoes.
Mark Davies is an Oxford local historian, guide, public speaker, and author of several popular local interest books. His most recent publication, ‘King of all Balloons’: the Adventurous Life of James Sadler, first English Aeronaut, is the first biography of James and Windham Sadler. Copies will be available for signing on the night.
Please book your free ticket through Eventbrite [1].
Saturday 14 October 2017, 12-4pm
House of Wisdom
Find out how early Islamic scientists mapped the stars and discover medieval medicine through board games, talks and activities.
TOP GALLERY
- Discover medieval medicine in the Islamic world through board and card games
- Enjoy rare scientific instruments from the Islamic world with our team of Young Producers
- Find out about Qibla indicators and use maps to make your own
- Make a model astrolabe and find out how it was used
BASEMENT GALLERY – OBJECT HANDLING TRAIL
- Discover the people, places and principles of medieval medicine in the Islamic world with an exciting object-handling activity game
Drop-in, ages 7+
Alice’s Puzzles
Saturday 1 July 2017, 12-5pm
Alice in Wonderland Trail 12-5pm
Find out more about Charles Dodgson and the story of Alice in Wonderland through our wonderful collection of objects.
Storytelling 2-2.30pm
Join Storyteller Lucy Walters to explore the games and riddles Alice encounters on her fabulous journey through Wonderland.
Family-friendly drop-in. Admission free, donations welcome.
Sir Hugh Cairns: A Pioneering Neurosurgeon
Thursday 16 March, 7pm
Professor Gabriele De Luca (University of Oxford) discusses the work of Sir Hugh Cairns, whose research led to the introduction of motorcycle crash helmets and transformed battlefield neurosurgery during World War II.
Please reserve a ticket through Eventbrite [3].
Doors open at 6.30pm.
Brain Aware
Sunday 19 March, 12-4pm
An afternoon of interactive activities with University of Oxford researchers exploring how our brains work. Why not visit and control a friend’s arm with your nerves or learn about vision disorders.
Drop-in, all ages.
Saturday 18 March, 12-4pm
Join us for an exciting day of hands-on activities, talks and performances about the story of penicillin and the miracle of antibiotics. Meet artists and scientists at the cutting edge of medical research.
For British Science Week [4].
Drop-in, all ages.
Part of the programme of events for the Back from the Dead [5] Special Exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science.
Thursday 9 March, 7pm
Biographer Georgina Ferry is joined by a panel of young women currently working in biochemistry to discuss their careers, and the achievements of Chemistry Nobel Prize winner Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin.
Please reserve your ticket through Eventbrite [1].
Part of the programme of events for the Back from the Dead [5] Special Exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science.
Please note that the doors to the Museum will open at 6.30pm and the talk begins at 7pm. If you have not arrived by 6.50pm we will not be able to guarantee you entry.
Friday 3 March, 6-7.30pm
Join us for a free evening of stargazing with an 1840 speculum-metal reflecting telescope, a modern telescope, and replica Galilean telescopes.
- See the crescent Moon and Venus through the historic reflector telescope and compare it with the views through the modern telescope (both telescopes provided by Hanwell Community Observatory).
- Try and find the stars through the Galilean replica telescopes in the Museum’s handling collection. These replica telescopes are based on the model that Galileo used 400 years ago to identify the moons of Jupiter.
This event is being held with Hanwell Community Observatory [6] and is taking place in the Sheldonian Court yard next to the Museum.
Why not share the Facebook event [7] and invite your friends?
This event is drop-in and there is no need to register. Stars and Specula is also weather dependent, and in the case of cloud cover or rain the Museum will be providing a small number of activities inside.
19 November 2016, 2-4pm
14 January 2017, 2-4pm
16 February 2017, 2-4pm
Back from the Dead: Votive Workshops
Make a magical votive offering inspired by your experiences of antibiotics and the exhibition Back from the Dead. Add your piece to an exciting new art installation with artist Anna Dumitriu.
Drop-in. All ages.
Part of the programme of events for the
Back from the Dead [5] Special Exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science.
22 November 2016 7pm
Penicillin: Triumph and Tragedy
Evening Talk
Join Dr Robert Bud (Science Museum, London) for the first evening talk in our Back from the Dead programme of events.
Doors open at 18:30.
Please reserve a ticket through Eventbrite [8].
Part of the programme of events for the Back from the Dead [5] Special Exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science.
