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From the collection A painting depicting James Dewar lecturing on liquid hydrogen

James Dewar lecturing on liquid hydrogen

This image depicts a formal lecture to Members of the Royal Institution by James Dewar.

James Dewar lecturing on liquid hydrogen Read more
From the collection A photograph of a young Michael Faraday
History of science

Michael Faraday's correspondence

A brief history of Michael Faraday's correspondence, from 1811–1867.

Michael Faraday's correspondence Read more
From the collection A magneto-optical apparatus
History of science

Michael Faraday's magneto-optical apparatus

The electromagnet used by Michael Faraday in a ground-breaking experiment showing that light and glass are affected by magnetism

Michael Faraday's magneto-optical apparatus Read more
From the collection A sketch of William Thomas Brande's laboratory
History of science

History of research at the Ri

Explore the history of groundbreaking scientific research at the Ri.

History of research at the Ri Read more
From the collection A tube used to measure absorptive powers of gases
History of science

John Tyndall’s radiant heat apparatus

In 1859, discovered the Greenhouse Effect using this tube amongst a collection of apparatus by measuring the absorptive powers

John Tyndall’s radiant heat apparatus Read more
From the collection An etching of a lecture given in 1802, depicting Thomas Young or Thomas Garnett giving laughing gas (nitrous oxide) to Sir John Hippisley
History of science

New Discoveries in Pneumaticks

Or: An Experimental Lecture on the Powers of Air, a historic cartoon by James Gillray, 1802.

New Discoveries in Pneumaticks Read more
From the collection A montage of William Bragg's spectrometer from three different angles
History of science

William Bragg's spectrometer

William Henry Bragg designed and built the first ionization spectrometer in 1912-13. By measuring the scattering of x-rays

William Bragg's spectrometer Read more
From the collection iron filings on a blue background
History of science

Michael Faraday's iron filings

Faraday created a number of iron filing diagrams in 1851 to demonstrate magnetic lines of force.

Michael Faraday's iron filings Read more
From the collection The blue sky apparatus
History of science

John Tyndall's blue sky apparatus

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? The answer was first discovered over 150 years ago right here at the Royal

John Tyndall's blue sky apparatus Read more
From the collection Detail of Alessandro Volta's voltaic pile
History of science

Alessandro Volta's voltaic pile

The first electrical battery, invented by Volta in 1800 in Genoa, Italy. This voltaic pile, made before 1813, was presented to

Alessandro Volta's voltaic pile Read more

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