Science History Institute
@sciencehistory.org
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Sharing the stories of science! 🧬 🔬 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @scihistoryorg
reposted by
Science History Institute
Science Magazine
7 days ago
A storied trove of documents, photos, and lab tools from the race to decipher DNA’s structure and function is finally being made public.
https://scim.ag/47GNqze
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After bizarre journey, prized history of molecular biology archive finds new home
Science History Institute makes public multimillion-dollar collection, including Rosalind Franklin’s famous DNA image, assembled by fake scientist
https://scim.ag/47GNqze
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Check out our feature in
@science.org
⬇️ After bizarre journey, prized history of molecular biology archive finds new home | Science | AAAS
www.science.org/content/arti...
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After bizarre journey, prized history of molecular biology archive finds new home
Science History Institute makes public multimillion-dollar collection, including Rosalind Franklin’s famous DNA image, assembled by fake scientist
https://www.science.org/content/article/after-bizarre-journey-prized-history-molecular-biology-archive-finds-new-home
7 days ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News)
11 days ago
Science historians have a new resource they can tap to better understand the early days of molecular biology. The nonprofit
@sciencehistory.org
this week added the History of Molecular Biology Collection to its library of materials.
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
#chemsky
🧪
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Science History Institute library acquires original Rosalind Franklin materials and other artifacts
The library’s History of Molecular Biology Collection includes written materials, X-ray prints, and photos related to the discovery of DNA
https://cen.acs.org/biological-chemistry/dna/Science-History-Institute-library-acquires/103/web/2025/09?sc=250912_sc_eng_bs_cen
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Science History Institute
J. Craig Venter Institute
14 days ago
We are thrilled to announce that the
@sciencehistory.org
has acquired our incredible History of Microbiology Collection that we have proudly preserved for over 20 years. We couldn’t think of a better organization to pass this important collection to.
www.sciencehistory.org/about/press/...
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Science History Institute Acquires Molecular Biology Archive That Includes Rosalind Franklin’s Historic ‘Photo 51’
This unparalleled collection documents the race to identify DNA’s double-helix structure and other significant developments that formed the foundation of molecular biology.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/about/press/science-history-institute-acquires-molecular-biology-archive/
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Dr Surekha Davies (she/her)
14 days ago
"It's up to us whether to worry about whether we're monsters or to celebrate uniqueness. And in the monster there is beauty." I got to chat with host Alexis Pedrick in the studio for the Distillations podcast at
@sciencehistory.org
. Listen now: 💙📚 🧪 🗃
#medieval
#earlymodern
#histsci
#histmed
#HAMH
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Humans and Monsters: An Interview with Surekha Davies
A conversation with the author of 'Humans: A Monstrous History.'
https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/distillations-pod/humans-and-monsters-an-interview-with-surekha-davies/
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Ben Gross
15 days ago
Exciting news from my colleagues
@sciencehistory.org
! This archive documents the early history of
#MolecularBiology
& efforts to determine the structure of
#DNA
.
@matthewcobb.bsky.social
provides an overview of its contents & significance in the thread below.
#histSTM
#histsci
#histbio
#Molbio
🗃️📜🧬
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Matthew Cobb
15 days ago
News in the history of molecular biology. The Science History Institute in Philadelphia has acquired a huge archive of correspondence and other scientific material from the pioneers of molecular biology (Franklin, Klug, Perutz, Delbrück etc, with items from Crick and Watson, too). 1/n
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History of Molecular Biology Collection
This unparalleled collection includes Rosalind Franklin's historic 'Photo 51,' which revealed the double-helix structure of DNA.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/about/projects-initiatives/history-of-molecular-biology-collection/
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*NEWS*
@sciencehistory.org
has acquired the History of Molecular Biology Collection from the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI). This unparalleled collection documents the race to identify DNA’s double-helix structure and other significant developments that formed the foundation of molecular biology.
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Science History Institute Acquires Molecular Biology Archive That Includes Rosalind Franklin’s Historic ‘Photo 51’
This unparalleled collection documents the race to identify DNA’s double-helix structure and other significant developments that formed the foundation of molecular biology.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/about/press/science-history-institute-acquires-molecular-biology-archive/
15 days ago
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🎉 On October 8, join us for A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An Earthly Matters Opening Celebration! Celebrate our new exhibition, Earthly Matters, with light bites, curator talks, rare books, mineral specimens, and more! This event FREE, but registration is required.
www.sciencehistory.org/opening
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A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An 'Earthly Matters' Opening Celebration
Celebrate the opening of our new permanent exhibition featuring a collection of more than 20 minerals.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/opening
about 1 month ago
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🎙️NEW DISTILLATIONS PODCAST EPISODE🎙️ Producer Mariel Carr talks to science historian Luis Campos about his article “Strains of Andromeda,” and discusses how Michael Crichton’s novel and film shaped 1970s debates on recombinant DNA research. ⬇️
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The Andromeda Strain: An Interview with Luis Campos
In 1971, a film based on Michael Crichton’s book brought out biohazard fears to the fore.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/distillations-pod/the-andromeda-strain-an-interview-with-luis-campos/
about 1 month ago
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🚨🎙️
#Distillations
Podcast is back with new episodes dropping weekly! In the latest episode, join us as we dive deep into the controversial origins of genetic engineering research. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/dist...
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The People vs. Recombinant DNA
In 1976, one small city nearly brought cutting-edge science to a halt.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/distillations-pod/the-people-vs-recombinant-dna/
about 2 months ago
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💥BOOM! BANG! POW!💥 It's First Friday: Gene-ius Quizzo! 🦕 Are you a Jurassic Park superfan? Think you know your genetically modified villains and heroes? This Friday, August 1, join us at 6pm for a lively night of Quizzo!
www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events...
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First Friday: Gene-ius Quizzo
Put your pop culture knowledge to the test in a fun trivia game inspired by your favorite films—and the real science behind them.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events/first-friday-gene-ius-quizzo/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Amy Brady, PhD
about 2 months ago
Loved this article about Mary Engle Pennington, a scientist and "cold chain" pioneer who transformed the U.S. refrigeration industry via
@sciencehistory.org
www.sciencehistory.org/education/sc...
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Mary Engle Pennington
A chemist, inventor, and entrepreneur who transformed the U.S. refrigeration industry in the early 20th century, Pennington helped ensure year-round access to foods free from bacterial contamination.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/education/scientific-biographies/mary-engle-pennington/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=072825
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Ben Gross
2 months ago
I'll put in a plug for my friends
@sciencehistory.org
, which is just a few blocks away from Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell. They recently opened an exhibition on the history of school lunches that looks like a lot of fun!
www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibi...
#histSTM
#histsci
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Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray
Our new exhibition offers a novel historical perspective on efforts to feed children in U.S. schools.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/exhibitions/lunchtime/
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Dr Caroline Douglas
2 months ago
I’m in the final few days of my 3 month fellowship at the Science History Institute, Philadelphia. I have been researching the work of the chemist Elizabeth Fulhame who began her photochemical studies in 1780 Edinburgh and by 1798 was a corresponding member of the Philadelphia Chemical Society.
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Science History Institute
Dr Agnes Arnold-Forster
2 months ago
I wrote an article about the Gerson Therapy, and what it is about cancer and its history that attracts so many alternative treatments. For the
@sciencehistory.org
’s Distillations magazine
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
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Gerson’s Magic Bullet
Why have so many rejected established cancer therapies for juice cocktails and coffee enemas?
https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/gersons-magic-bullet/
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🎉TOMORROW! ☔️ Rain or 🌞 shine! Meet us at 315 Chestnut Street for Curious Histories Fest! We'll have hands-on activities, tasty food, free ice cream, and family-friendly fun! PLUS, the first 100 visitors will receive a free lunchbox! See you there! ➡️
sciencehistory.org/fest
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Curious Histories Fest: What's for Lunch?
Join us for a delicious daylong celebration of food science and fun!
https://sciencehistory.org/fest
3 months ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
4 months ago
🚨New Google Arts & Culture Exhibit Alert We are thrilled to share "Mix, Crush, Shear: The Tools of Mechanochemistry" Created in collaboration with our amazing partners at
@sciencehistory.org
. Thank you for bringing this story to life! 🔗
artsandculture.google.com/story/mix-cr...
#Mechanochemistry
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Mix, Crush, Shear: The Tools of Mechanochemistry - Google Arts & Culture
Discover how old techniques can produce greener, cleaner new things
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/mix-crush-shear-the-tools-of-mechanochemistry/iAWRMJVGIpnzsw
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Join us for our annual Curious Histories Fest this SATURDAY, 6/14, from 11 am - 3 pm! Explore the science of food with hands-on activities, talks, and tasty samples! 🥒🍪 First 100 guests get a FREE lunchbox! No registration needed! Learn more:
sciencehistory.org/fest
🎊🎉
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Curious Histories Fest: What's for Lunch?
Join us for a delicious daylong celebration of food science and fun!
https://sciencehistory.org/fest
3 months ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Dr Surekha Davies (she/her)
4 months ago
#Philadelphia
#music
#scicomm
folks: the fab
@charmingdisaster.bsky.social
will be performing at the Science History Institute (my last lovely US book tour venue) on July 23rd!
@sciencehistory.org
Get tickets here (& catch their musical interludes of some episodes of
@peculiarbookclub.bsky.social
!)
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Charming Disaster: The Double
The Science History Institute invites you to an evening of music and scientific wonder!
https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events/charming-disaster-the-double/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=060225
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Sam Wesner 𓃰
4 months ago
Touring
@sciencehistory.org
‘s expo on school lunches, whisked back to childhood by the sight of those milk boxes
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Philadelphia Science Action
4 months ago
✅ Proud to announce that our first Town Hall on Science & Higher Ed
@sciencehistory.org
was a success! 👏 Thank you
@repmaryisaacson.com
,
@reprabb.bsky.social
,
@tarikforpa.bsky.social
, & everyone who attended, for a thoughtful & engaging discussion!
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reposted by
Science History Institute
samkean.bsky.social
4 months ago
Why did so many doctors and engineers enthusiastically embrace the Nazis? Vanity, opportunism, and pseudoscience. Listen now—and get a DISCOUNT PROMO CODE for my new book, Dinner with King Tut:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@scihistoryorg
sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
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🐈 Check out our latest Collections Blog post "Here, Kitty, Kitty . . ." as our director of Library Services and Collections Blog coeditor, Gabriela Zoller, explores all the feline friends hiding in our collections. ⬇️
www.sciencehistory.org/collections/...
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Here, Kitty, Kitty . . .
Searching for the cats hiding in our collections.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/collections/blog/here-kitty-kitty/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Evan DeTurk
4 months ago
Had a great visit to
@sciencehistory.org
in Philly today! I was especially fascinated by the display dedicated to Linus Pauling's work on sickle cell (centrifuge, gel rig, and drawings in photo 1), but the whole museum was packed full of great info about the history of (bio)chemistry.
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reposted by
Science History Institute
samkean.bsky.social
4 months ago
It was one the largest epidemics in American history, resulting in 30,000 cases of paralysis. And it would be forgotten today if not for blues musicians who recorded the details in their songs. New podcast below!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@scihistoryorg
sciencehistory.org/stories/disa...
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Philadelphia Science Action
5 months ago
🚨BIG NEWS🚨 In partnership with
@sciencehistory.org
, we are hosting a Town Hall on Science & Higher Education Policy. We're inviting fed & state reps of the Greater Philly Region to discuss what they can do to protect science & higher ed. JOIN US & RSVP HERE:
www.eventbrite.com/e/philadelph...
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Infect-Net
4 months ago
✨🧫✨ A woman revolutionized biomedical research by introducing agar to the lab. Learn more about Fanny Angelina Hesse and her work in this brand new article by Corrado Nai on
@sciencehistory.org
. 👩🔬 👉
www.sciencehistory.org/education/sc...
#biography
#hiddenfigures
#agar
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Fanny Angelina Hesse
Hesse changed medicine and the life sciences when she introduced agar, a jelly derived from seaweed, into laboratory research.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/education/scientific-biographies/fanny-angelina-hesse/
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D.
5 months ago
At the
@sciencehistory.org
Institute at their awards night. Timothy Swager is discussing the critical importance of patiently explaining that the new innovations, whether it’s the newest phone or cancer drug, is not going to come from AI. It’s going to come from a lab. From people. From scientists.
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Sam Wesner 𓃰
5 months ago
Day 1 as a postdoctoral fellow at the Science History Institute!
@sciencehistory.org
what a warm welcome!
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We are thrilled to share that our current exhibition, Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray, has been highlighted in a recent
@nytimes.com
article from their Museums Special Section! Read it here! ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/a...
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A Philadelphia Museum Looks at the Food Fights Over School Lunches
A science museum in the city looks back at the history of feeding children in schools and reminds us how fraught the efforts have been for more than 100 years.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/arts/design/school-lunch-philadelphia.html
5 months ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
jayson m porter
5 months ago
What do sesame seeds tell us about the environmental histories of the African Diaspora? How does a historian know where to start? It’s all a question of process. My latest essay "Sesame Plots" with
@sciencehistory.org
's Distillations Magazine is out!
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
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Sesame Plots
What do sesame seeds tell us about the environmental histories of the African diaspora? How does a historian know where to start?
https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/sesame-plots/
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Julian R. Silverman
5 months ago
It was during COVID that I started creating the series of demonstrations that would transform into my lecture known as ‘the material history of soap’ which led me to the
@sciencehistory.org
, and eventually the Fashion Institute, where I would begin to teach cosmetic chemistry.
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reposted by
Science History Institute
jayson m porter
5 months ago
Nuestro
@sciencehistory.org
ensayo "Datos 'proxy' que hagan justicia"(Proxies for Justice) ahora está disponible en español.
www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
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Datos ‘proxy’ que hagan justicia
La historia climática de las regiones tropicales ha sido crónicamente poco estudiada. Corregir el rumbo exigirá nuevos métodos y puntos de vista.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/datos-proxy-que-hagan-justicia/
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reposted by
Science History Institute
PACSCL
6 months ago
PACSCL's Communication Committee welcomes you to the first in its series "I am a Library Worker" in honor of
#NationalLibraryWeek
(month, for us) featuring Sarah Newhouse from
@sciencehistory.org
Read more at
pacscl.org/iaalw_newhou...
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📣 The Science History Institute is currently seeking a passionate and dedicated Philanthropy Manager to join our team! Full Time 35+ hrs Philadelphia, PA, US Salary Range: $75,000.00 To $75,000.00 Annually Visit
sciencehistory.org/careers
to apply!
6 months ago
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📣 Thank you to the Grit Daily News Hub for featuring the Science History Institute's Conference Center as one of the 10 Top-Rated Venues for Hosting Corporate Events in PA!
gritdaily.com/top-rated-ve...
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10 Top-Rated Venues for Hosting Corporate Events in PA - Grit Daily News
Finding the right place for a professional conference in Pennsylvania requires great consideration. The space must have everything attendees will need and the
https://gritdaily.com/top-rated-venues-for-hosting-corporate-events-in-pa/
6 months ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
6 months ago
March updates from the NSF CMCC! 🎙️ Dr. Boyer and Dr. Tabor present at the Sanibel Symposium 🎙️ EJ Broker featured on the Green Chemistry Connections webinar 📖 New scientific biography released in collaboration with the
@sciencehistory.org
…and more! Check it out below!
#Mechanochemistry
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Thank you
@bethlinker.bsky.social
for this engaging and insightful talk about the history of America's obsession with posture in the 20th century. Learn more about our Science and Society speaker series on our website:
sciencehistory.org/slouch
6 months ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Princeton University Press
6 months ago
Tomorrow (March 19) at 6 pm EDT: Please join
@sciencehistory.org
in welcoming
@bethlinker.bsky.social
for a discussion of her book, Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America. This is a hybrid event. To register for this free event, visit:
www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events...
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Ben Gross
6 months ago
Ten years ago
@sciencehistory.org
: "This workshop brought together rare books curators as well as experts in history, music, mathematics, and digital humanities to puzzle out — and perform — Maier’s book." Learn more about Michael Maier's Atalanta Fugiens:
furnaceandfugue.org
#histSTM
#alchemy
🗃️📜
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Matthew Cobb
7 months ago
Excellent two-part podcast on Asilomar 1975 and its aftermath from
@sciencehistory.org
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Science, Interrupted
The story of the 1975 Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/distillations-pod/science-interrupted/
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Join us for our next Science and Society event, Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America, and discover why Americans in the 20th century were obsessed with sitting up straight. Attend in person or online for free! ⬇️
sciencehistory.org/slouch
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Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America
Professor and author Beth Linker reveals the surprising origins of our concerns over poor posture.
https://sciencehistory.org/slouch
7 months ago
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We're marking the 50th anniversary of the Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA. The Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology, a similar gathering of experts is taking place now through February 26 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California.
rb.gy/503stk
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The Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology
50 years after the Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA, the 2025 Cain Conference will convene to discuss matters of importance to biotechnology today.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events/gordon-cain-conference-2025/
7 months ago
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Join us TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 19, for a virtual talk that explores the past, present, and future of indigo dye! Tap the link below to learn more! 👖
www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events...
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Virtual Talk: Indigo
Join us on Zoom for a virtual talk exploring the past, present, and future of indigo dye.
https://rb.gy/vpu2ik
7 months ago
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Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! 🌍💫 At the Science History Institute, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in science who have shaped history and continue to inspire innovation!
#ScienceHistory
#WomenInScience
7 months ago
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In celebration of
#BlackHistoryMonth
, we'd like to honor Dr. Henry Aaron Hill (1915–1979), who became the first Black president of the American Chemical Society in 1977. ⬇️
www.sciencehistory.org/education/sc...
8 months ago
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Join us on February 19, for a virtual talk as we explore the past, present, and future of indigo dye! 🔵 Indigo is one of the most widespread and beloved dyes in history, from the oldest Mesopotamian dye records to modern blue jeans. Tap here to learn more ➡️
rb.gy/wxefck
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Virtual Talk: Indigo
Join us on Zoom for a virtual talk exploring the past, present, and future of indigo dye.
https://rb.gy/wxefck
8 months ago
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reposted by
Science History Institute
Rebecca Altman, PhD
9 months ago
Congrats, congrats to
@roguechieftan.bsky.social
-- his essay on arsenic and racism for Distilliations -- a pub of
@scihistoryorg.bsky.social
-- named best of the best by the folks at
@bunkhistory.bsky.social
www.bunkhistory.org/resources/ri...
#envhist
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Rings of Fire
Arsenic cycles through racism and empire in the Americas.
https://www.bunkhistory.org/resources/rings-of-fire
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