STHC-L: The Science, Technology and Health Care Archives Forum

Scientific instrument collection

• Date:   Wed, 9 Oct 2002 15:32:01 -0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
• To:   sthc-l@library.ucla.edu
• From:   Russell A. Johnson <rjohnson@library.ucla.edu>
• Subject:   Scientific instrument collection
• Message-ID:   SIMEON.10210091501.M@bio-s-his008.library.ucla.edu

Forwarded to STHC-L from ARCHIVES (since some folks subscribe to one 
but not the other).

Replies on ARCHIVES referred to (1) the American Institute of Physics' 
publication,  "Review of Scientific Instruments", and (2) the 
Scientific Instrument Commission's web-mounted bibliography, at:  
http://www.sic.iuhps.org 

Discussion is welcome on STHC-L (if you hit "Reply", you'll send to the 
entire list) since some of us face the same situation, or responses can 
be sent to our colleague in separate messages.


--RJ

--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 09:10:45 -0600
From: Diane Rabson  [rabson@UCAR.EDU]
Subject: Scientific instrument collection
Sender: Archives & Archivists  [ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU]


We are beginning to document thousands of scientific instruments that
have been fabricated and used by engineers and scientists at the
National Center for Atmospheric Research and affiliated groups for the
last forty years.  From our initial survey, using oral histories, we
have found that many of the instruments no longer physically exist,
since they are often designed for use in a single field project, and are
then discarded, cannibalized, or end up in someone's office.  Also, many
instruments designed for atmospheric sampling are too large to be
accommodated in the Archives.  Other instruments are created to be fixed
rather permanently on "platforms" such as aircraft, ships, trucks,
buoys, etc.

We do plan to physically collect a number of instruments.  Our Education
and Outreach group is very interested in using our collection for
exhibits, K-12 learning, web resources, etc., to demonstrate the process
of scientific inquiry.  The challenge for us is to find ways to collect,
preserve and properly document the creation and use of these critical
research tools.

We would like to hear from anyone who has assembled such a collection.
Please reply off-list.

Thanks!
--
Diane M. Rabson, Archivist
National Center for Atmospheric Research
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO  80307-3000
(303) 497-8508 (voice)
(303) 497-8517 (FAX)
rabson@ucar.edu
http://www.ucar.edu/archives

--- End Forwarded Message ---