Made to Measure

Scientific Instruments in the University Museum Collections

An exhibition held in the Lamb Gallery 4 July - 20 September 1998

Measuring Quantities

From the earliest days of empirical science (scientific investigation by observation and experiment) there has been a need for methods and apparatus to measure different quantities and qualities. Standards have been developed internationally and great ingenuity displayed in the production of a vast range of instruments of many kinds. Internationally recognised standard measures are of great use. If everyone worked with different quantities when measuring then comparison and the validity of any work would become questionable. When science is tackling a new area that has no usable standard equipment to investigate a phenomenon new inventions are required. These can lead to great leaps in the understanding of the world around us.

Have a look at the Made to Measure pages:

• Notable Scientists at Dundee University
• The History of X-rays in Dundee
• Travails of a Scientist - Extracting DNA from Herbarium Specimens