The Wipple Museum, Cambridge

[JohnC64]

I had a very interesting afternoon at the Wipple museum in Cambridge.  http://www.sites.hps.cam.ac.uk/whipple/aboutthemuseum/

We've been meaning to go for a while now, but have just managed to get around to it.  It has a fabulous collection of Scientific instruments, Astronomical instruments, Surveying equipment and Computing and calculation equipment.  All housed in 3 rooms at the museum.  If you are ever in Cambridge its well worth a visit and its open Mon - Fri in the afternoons.  Heres some pictures of my visit.

 

Cheers John

Just by the entrance is a beautiful Mount which has brass rod 'slo mo' controls and a 'drop- weight' mechanism that can be engaged to drive the scope to match the earths rotation.

 

Along with a number of cabinets of instruments

 

 

A stunning orrery in the main hall has the accompanying quotation that says 'Astronomy was considered an appropriate pursuit for polite society during the 18th Century' - So nothing has changed then!!!



And of course in the computing and calculation area, there was  a 'blast from the past' for me when i spotted a ZX81. It didn't have the free games cassette that you got when they couldn't make them fast enough ;-)  In fact they use a collection of old Macs to allow you to find out more about the items in the museum.

 

[FenlandPaul]

Nice suggestion!  Rather embarrassingly I've never even heard of it - amazing what's on your doorstep without knowing! 

Paul