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Boerhaave Museum Top Collection: all rooms | |
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zaal 16: Electriciteit en licht |  |
| Click to view the first showcase |
The nineteenth century saw huge advances in the scientific study of electricity and optics: phenomena as diverse as the rainbow and the operation of a compass were shown to fit into a single theory. However, there were important developments on the practical side too. New instruments were devised, and existing ones improved. The impact of optics and electricity on everyday life gradually increased, through such inventions as telegraphy and the camera.
The Dutch contribution to these deelopments was negligible. Trends, though were followed with great interest, and the natural sciences enjoyed unprecedented popularity. All over the country people formed societies, organising scientific competitions, arranging lectures and conducting group experiments. It was all well-intentioned, but produced no pioneering research.