To celebrate 180 years since the birth of William Perkin, we explore the items in the collections linked to his most famous invention: mauveine.
Our world-class collection forms an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical achievements from across the globe. Come behind the scenes as we explore new object acquisitions and meet the conservation team.
This is the Sokol KV-2 emergency spacesuit worn by British ESA Astronaut Tim Peake as he traveled into space.
80 years after it was first introduced, Chemistry Curator Sophie Waring, looks at how nylon has become a ubiquitous material in our lives today
Assistant Curator for Medicine, Jack Davies, investigates the fascinating history behind a new addition to our collection.
To celebrate Valentine’s day, Assistant Curator Emma MacNicol shares objects from our collection that relate to love (and the consequences of love).
Curator Doug Millard explores why the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket was so significant for space exploration.
Before antibiotics, treating bacterial infections could be nasty and dangerous. Here are 7 eye-watering ways our ancestors tried to battle the bugs.
Collections Care Conservator, Fabiana Portoni, explains the challenges of protecting museum objects from pollutants, including those emitted by the objects themselves.
Half a century after the publication of The Double Helix, Roger Highfield looks at why the book is still relevant today.
With Star Wars: The Last Jedi on our screens, we’ve been inspired to examine the science behind this epic space saga.
On this day in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright piloted the first ever recorded flight. But how did we get from mere dreams of flight to jumbo jets?
As Jodie Whittaker takes on the Time Lord’s sonic screwdriver as the first female Dr Who, curator Emma Stirling-Middleton celebrates the life and legacy of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Britain’s first female doctor.