Collection of scientific instruments and teaching aids

Extent

around 2500 objects

Holdings

• Aerodynamics: measuring instruments and models for the wind tunnel of the former Institute of Aerodynamics, some of which can be traced back to the institute’s founder, Jakob Ackeret
• Astronomy/collection of astronomical instruments: collection of historical instruments of the former Swiss Federal Observatory in Zurich; collection of Rudolf Wolf, founder of the Swiss Federal Observatory in Zurich and the ETH Library
• Electronics: various electromechanical measuring instruments
• Geodesy and photogrammetry: geodetic surveying instruments, such as theodolites, Bussole tacheometers and planimeters, chiefly produced by the manufacturers Kern & Co., Aarau, and Wild Heerbrugg
• Computer science: computer collection, including ETH Zurich’s own developments, such as the Lilith and Ceres systems developed by Niklaus Wirth
• Mathematics: 57 mathematical models, including 11 wooden models from the J. Schröder Polytechnic Working Institute, Darmstadt, and 29 more recent cardboard models created by Konrad Voss
• Physics: artefacts from the AFIF Department for Industrial Research, including the Eidophor television projection technology developed in this department; artefacts from optical research, various electron tubes and artefacts from lecture experiments
• Geobotany: measuring instruments from the period from 1920 to around 1960 from the Rübel Geobotanical Research Institute, which was founded by Eduard August Rübel in 1918
• Personal papers of Paul Jaray: around 80 artefacts from the personal papers of Paul Jaray, including his own developments and models of streamlined bodies and vehicles
• Personal papers of Friedrich Schmid-Bösch: around 60 artefacts from the personal papers of astronomer Friedrich Schmid-Bösch, including various microscopes and preparation folders
• Earth sciences: various models, primarily crystal models
• Miscellaneous: smaller groups of artefacts from the Institute of Energy Engineering and the former Institutes of Telecommunications, Aircraft Statics and Cultural Technology, as well as from the Photographic Institute

Relevance of research and Public

The collection of scientific instruments and teaching aids contains artefacts relevant to scientific historical research in the natural and engineering sciences, to the history of astronomy in Zurich and to historical instrument research. It can also be used as teaching material and be presented to the public in the context of guided tours. The collection is available for loans to museums and exhibition centres

Current activities, projects

In a pilot project, the collection arranged for 20 artefacts to be digitised in 3D form. These digital copies are intended to be made available to the public. Alongside the actual 3D digitisation, the project examines the possibilities opened up by this way of sharing knowledge, as well as its limitations.

• The artefacts in the collection can be viewed in the E-Pics catalogue. Each artefact can be viewed from a number of different angles and high-resolution digital copies can be downloaded for free (CC BY-SA or Public Domain Mark).
• 3D digitised objects are available on external page Sketchfab.
• The collection of mathematical models can also be accessed in digital form via the external page Digital Archive of Mathematical Models (DAMM) of TU Dresden. 
• The external page Instagram channel of the Collections and Archives of ETH Zurich presents artefacts at irregular intervals and provides an insight into the work performed at the repository. 
• The external page Treasure Troves campaign of the ETH Library also provides explanations of artefacts from the collection and makes them available to the public. 
• In addition, we are constantly writing new articles about selected artefacts from the collection for the ETHeritage blog.