Newsletter: December 2019

We collect and share the stories of innovators and of discoveries that shape our lives while preserving and interpreting the history of chemistry, chemical engineering, and the life sciences.

In the Spotlight

Join Us Today on GivingTuesday and Help Us Continue Sharing the Stories of Science

Join us today, December 3, 2019 , for #GivingTuesday , a day when nonprofits all over the world take to social media to encourage people to pause in their holiday shopping and give back to their favorite causes. Time and time again friends like you tell us they support the Science History Institute because of the stories we collect, preserve, and share—of scientists and their discoveries, of inspiration and breakthrough, of hard work and dedication. This GivingTuesday , we ask you to support the Institute’s commitment to sharing these stories of chemistry, engineering, and the life sciences with a gift.

GIVE NOW

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter to read and share your favorite Science History Institute stories using the hashtag #GivingTuesday .

Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann Presents Ullyot Lecture to Sold-Out Crowd

📷 Science History Institute/Conrad Erb

There wasn’t an empty seat in the house on November 14 when Nobel laureate, poet, and playwright Roald Hoffmann delivered the 30th annual Ullyot Public Affairs Lecture . His talk, titled “The Same and Not the Same: The Many Faces of Diversity in Science and Society,” examined the different aspects of diversity in chemistry, biology, and the social sciences. Hoffmann wrapped up his lecture by reminding us that “men and women are more than molecules” and that diversity matters to people not just because of its value in nature but because it “makes our life as human beings more livable.” The award-winning theoretical chemist also received the Liberty Bowl, a special award presented annually to the Ullyot lecturer.

Science History Institute Celebrates Opening of Bredig Archive

📷 Science History Institute/Conrad Erb

Invited guests gathered on November 13 for the opening of the Bredig Archive , an amazing collection of correspondence, books, photographs, and scientific notes belonging to German-Jewish scientist Georg Bredig (1868–1944). The archive was recently acquired by the Institute through the generous support of the Walder Foundation, which was honored that evening with the dedication of a plaque. The collection stands as a testament not only to Bredig’s noteworthy scientific career but also to the difficulties faced by Jews trying to flee the Nazi regime. To view a selection of materials from the archive , be sure to visit The Bredig Archive ExhibitLab , now on display in our museum .

Left to right above: Mordechai Walder, Joseph Walder, Elizabeth Walder, and Institute president and CEO Robert G. W. Anderson.

Upcoming Programs & Events

The Science History Institute is proud to produce a wide range of public programs and events  aimed at students, scholars, professionals, and the scientifically curious. Events take place at the Science History Institute’s headquarters in Philadelphia and are free unless otherwise noted.

Featured Oral History Training Institute January 6–January 9, 2020 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. $200–$300 per person The Center for Oral History is proud to provide this four-day training seminar to scholars and researchers interested in oral history and research interview methodologies.

Fellow in Focus Lecture Series The Rohm and Haas Fellow in Focus Lecture Series gives our scholars an opportunity to present their work to a broad audience interested in history, science, and culture. Wasted Space: The History of Orbiting Junk December 5, 2019 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Lunchtime Lectures Lunchtime Lectures are a series of informal talks given by local scholars, including our own fellows. The Monster Collectors: Anatomical Collecting and Abnormal Bodies in 18th-Century Embryology December 3, 2019 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Domesticating Water: Gender, Class, and Environment in the Household Wash, 1849–1919 December 10, 2019 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Library Pop-Ups Held in the Institute’s museum , our Library Pop-Ups highlight the treasures found in the Othmer Library through fun, theme-oriented activities and programs. Historical Cookbooks and Recipes December 13, 2019 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

WikiSalon Our monthly  WikiSalon offers Wikipedia enthusiasts and those interested in learning more a casual gathering spot for discussion and collaboration. WikiSalon December 14, 2019 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

Saturday Speaker Series Dive into fascinating stories of science with our Saturday Speaker Series , a free, monthly talk and discussion featuring complimentary tea and coffee. Your Brain on Sleep Deprivation December 14, 2019 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Joseph Priestley Society The Joseph Priestley Society meets monthly (September – April excluding December) to promote a deeper understanding of science, technology, and industry. Chemical Legacies: Managing the Beckman Center Fellowship Program at the Science History Institute January 16, 2020 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. $50 per person Using the Microbiome to Cure Disease February 13, 2020  11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. $50 per person

Museum Holiday Hours

📷 J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

If you’re planning a visit to the Institute’s museum during the holidays, please note our special schedule below. Normal hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed Sundays and Mondays). Admission is free.

CLOSED Tuesday, December 24 Wednesday, December 25 Tuesday, December 31 Wednesday, January 1

OPEN Thursday, December 26 Friday, December 27 Saturday, December 28 Sunday, December 29

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