Skip to main content
Become an Ri Member
  • What's on
  • Learning
  • Explore science
  • Christmas Lectures
  • Visit
  • Support us
  • About us
Become an Ri Member
From the collection A painting of the exterior of the Royal Institution building

History of science

A tour of Michael Faraday in London

A walk from the Royal Institution to Somerset House exploring Faraday's life, his intellectual network and his legacy.

A tour of Michael Faraday in London Read more
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

Pagination

  • Previous page ‹‹
  • Page 4
  • Next page ››
Back to top

Subscribe to The Ri Newsletter

Sign up now

About the Ri

The Royal Institution is an independent charity dedicated to connecting people to the world of science.

Contact us What we do

About us    Jobs

Venue hire

Make your next event one to remember at our unique central London venue, steeped in 200 years of science history.

Find out more

Support us

Support us in our charitable mission to create opportunities for the public and scientists to explore science together.

Donate online Join the Ri

More ways to support

The Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS

Find us Museum Licensing Shop

The Royal Institution of Great Britain was granted a royal charter in 1800 and is registered as a charity in England and Wales (227938).

© Royal Institution 2025
  • Terms and conditions
  • Web accessibility
  • Policies
  • Safeguarding

The CHRISTMAS LECTURES® are a registered trademark