The material culture of early telescopes: A look at, and through, the most iconic scientific instrument

As the most iconic scientific instrument, the telescope is typically (and immediately) associated with astronomical topics. From its earliest appearance, though, it connected to diverse other topics as well. Although the best histories of this device have included detailed descriptions of specific instruments, those details are usually limited to technical optical aspects. Based on over 25 years of hands-on examinations of the world’s oldest surviving telescopes, I will show how examples of instruments and portrayals of them tell interesting stories that encourage us to look at, and well as through, these amazing tools.

Marvin Bolt is a historian of science, technology, and material culture. As curator at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, he began his study of the world’s oldest surviving telescopes. That study has taken him throughout North America, Europe, and beyond. Initially focusing on the astronomical aspects of this device, he has since expanded the scope of investigation to the material culture of the telescope, aided by his years at the Corning Museum of Glass. For his efforts at engaging public audiences, he was awarded the Joseph H. Hazen Education Prize of the History of Science Society in 2017.

Das Kolloquium findet in Präsenz statt, unter Beachtung der Hygieneregeln der TU Berlin. Aktuelle Informationen zum Kolloquium finden Sie hier.