Collections & Exhibits - The University of Chicago Library

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Exhibit Thumbnail	Title	Locations	Subjects
Exhibits
	Animal-Vegetable-Mineral: Natural History Illustration from the John Crerar Collection The art and beauty of illustrated natural history books is celebrated in this exhibition. The collection exemplifies the development of natural history illustration and the role of the image in disseminating knowledge of the natural sciences.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center May 1 — Sept. 30, 1991	Subjects History of Science Art
	Between the Boards: Collections, Compilations and Curiosities from the John Crerar Collection of Rare Books in the History of Science and Medicine This exhibition celebrates the surprising discoveries while cataloging over 20,000 volumes from the John Crerar Collection of Rare Books in the History of Science and Medicine. It illustrates the ingenuity of the authors and other compilers, the creative scope of the personal and institutional collectors who brought these items together, the skill of catalogers who described the materials, and the exciting opportunities awaiting researchers.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center March 1 — June 30, 2003	Subjects History of Science History of Print History of Medicine
	A Bold Experiment: The Origins of the Sciences at the University of Chicago In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the University of Chicago's founding, this exhibit looks back at the establishment of the natural sciences at the University.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Sept. 21 — March 31, 2016 View web exhibit >>	Subjects University of Chicago History of Science
	The Chain Reaction: December 2, 1942 and After This exhibition was organized to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the world's first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, an achievement of Enrico Fermi and his colleagues at the Metallurgical Laboratory at the University of Chicago.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Oct. 1 — Dec. 1, 1992	Subjects History of Science University of Chicago Physical Sciences
	Discovering the Beauty and Charm of the Wilderness: Chicago Connections to the National Park Service The National Park Service offers a rich variety of landforms, flora, and fauna that have been the subject of many University of Chicago scientific studies. The parks have also served as inspiration for art, photography and literature. To mark the National Park Service’s 100-year anniversary, we delve into the Library’s archives and rare collections to uncover Chicago connections to the parks.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Oct. 31 — Dec. 31, 2016 View web exhibit >>	Subjects Organismal Biology American History University of Chicago Environmental Science
	Dog Fight: The Animal Experimentation Debate in Twentieth-Century Chicago What should be done with unclaimed pound dogs? This question inspired fierce debates in Chicago, where an unusual city ordinance in 1931 granted scientists at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and other local medical schools access to stray dogs for experimental purposes. This exhibition explores both sides of that controversy and shows how it continues to shape the ways we discuss biomedical ethics and scientific progress.	May 8 — Sept. 1, 2023 View web exhibit >>	Subjects University of Chicago Chicago and Illinois History of Science History
	Enrico Fermi: The Life of a Scientist. Images and documents, including his Chicago years Enrico Fermi's life unfolds in images and documents, offering insights into this Nobel Prize winning scientist's childhood and youth in Rome, his university studies in Pisa, his love for mountains and sport, and his life as a scientist and teacher in Rome, New York, and Chicago.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces April 6 — Sept. 8, 2006	Subjects Physics History of Science
	The Fetus In Utero: From Mystery to Social Media This exhibition takes an historical approach to exploring the complex evolution of the fetal image in Western Christian culture. We show that before images of the fetus in utero entered the digital age, they have been deployed in three distinctive ways over the past 500 years.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Jan. 2 — April 12, 2019	Subjects History of Science
	Flights before the Wrights: Octave Chanute, Chicago. Aeronautical Pioneer, Engineer & Teacher An exhibition of Octave Chanute's accomplishments and highlights from the visionary's career. Chanute’s novel biplane glider, an engineering masterpiece in the world of 1896 flying machines was the foundation for 20th-century aircraft.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Nov. 1 — June 1, 2002 View web exhibit >>	Subjects Aviation Technology History of Science
	From DNA to the Expanding Universe: The University of Chicago and the Nobel Prizes in the Sciences This exhibit, originally developed for the Nobel Prize Centennial Exhibition of the Nobel Foundation in Sweden, and displayed in the Museum of Science and Industry in the fall of 2003, has been adapted for display in the John Crerar Library, with a focus on Nobel Prize winning scientists such as Enrico Fermi, Subramanyan Chandrasekhar and James Watson.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Nov. 7 — Feb. 4, 2006	Subjects Science, Technology, and Math Biological Sciences Physical Sciences University of Chicago
	From Sausage to Hot Dog: the Evolution of an Icon The hot dog is an American creation, and Chicago even has its own style. But where did this popular food come from and how did it develop? This exhibit looks to the hot dog's origins in sausage-making practices brought by European immigrants to the Midwest. We consider techniques used in neighborhood butcher shops and the rise of industrial meat production. Homemade recipes and artisanal makers past and present are also examined.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Oct. 29 — Dec. 31, 2013 View web exhibit >>	Subjects History of Science History American History Chicago and Illinois
	The Great Lakes: Our Legacy, Our Future The exhibit focused on the EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office and their work to ensure the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces March 1 — Oct. 31, 2001	Subjects Environmental Science Urban Studies Ecology & Evolution
	A History of Science in Antarctica This exhibit is a historical look at science in Antarctica.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Oct. 18 — Dec. 23, 2004	Subjects Environmental Science Ecology & Evolution Geophysical Sciences
	Honest Jim: James D. Watson, the Writer Fifty years ago, James Watson and Francis Crick made one of the major discoveries of the twentieth century: they deciphered the double helical structure of DNA. The discovery began a revolution in molecular biology that led to major advances in science and medicine.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Jan. 19 — May 28, 2004 View web exhibit >>	Subjects Biological Sciences Molecular & Cell Biology History of Science
	The Human Fabric The Human Fabric follows the development of anatomical illustration in print from its beginning as a primitive record of early explorations in gross anatomy in the late fifteenth century to the highly refined studies published just prior to the advent of photography.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Jan. 1 — Dec. 1, 1981	Subjects History of Science
	Images of Science and Exploration in the Victorian Century This exhibition examines three of the most notable achievements of the Victorian age: the development of the theory of natural selection by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace; the decades-long search for the Northwest Passage by a succession of British expeditions, including the ill-fated venture of John Franklin; and the discovery by Lord Rayleigh and William Ramsay of argon.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center March 1 — June 30, 1997	Subjects Ecology & Evolution Chemistry History
	Isaac Newton and the Principia: A Tercentenary Celebration In celebration of the 300th anniversary of the publication of Isaac Newton's "Philosophiae Naturalis principia mathematica," this exhibition displays early editions of the Principia in Latin, English, and French, along with other related works from the collection.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center March 1 — May 1, 1987	Subjects History of Science
	James Franck: The Scientist and Political Responsibility The James Franck Papers in the University of Chicago Library consist of over 28,000 pieces, including correspondence, scientific manuscripts, personal documents, and memorabilia.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Dec. 1 — Feb. 1, 1976	Subjects Physics
	Joseph Halle Schaffner Collection in the History of Science This exhibition presents 107 highlights from the Schaffner bequest of over 300 landmark works in science, including works by Bacon, Boyle, Darwin, Descartes, Kepler, and Newton.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Jan. 1 — Dec. 31, 1978	Subjects History of Science
	A Library for All Time: The History of the John Crerar Library The John Crerar Library holds a place of distinction in the world of libraries. The images and texts presented here trace the history of the library from its founding as a free public library of science made possible by the gift of a dedicated philanthropist through its growth to an outstanding print collection with innovative research services and into its present form which combines these traditional services and collections with modern electronic information resources and creative collaborations with campus partners.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Oct. 29 — March 31, 2014 View web exhibit >>	Subjects Biological Sciences Physical Sciences History of Science
	Louis Agassiz and Ancient Climes In conjunction with a class assignment for courses taught by Alfred Anderson, Louis Agassiz's Etudes sur les glaciers (1840) was exhibited in the Crear Library. Agassiz's work played a central role in the nineteenth-century debate about ancient climates.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Jan. 1 — Jan. 1, 1994	Subjects Weather and Climatology
	Marie Tharp: Pioneering Oceanographer A pioneer in her field, renowned cartographer Marie Tharp created the first scientific maps of the Atlantic Ocean floor with her partner Bruce Heezen. Her observations showed the topography and geographical landscape of the ocean bottom and were crucial to the development of the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift in the earth sciences.	View web exhibit >>	Subjects History of Science Geography Geophysical Sciences
	Nature Disclosed: Books from the John Crerar Library Illustrating the History of Science This exhibition celebrates the merger of the John Crerar Library and science collections of the University of Chicago.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Oct. 1 — Jan. 1, 1985	Subjects History of Science
	The Origins of Color The Origins of Color exhibit explores the historical and scientific development of pigments and dyes and their production and uses in both fine art as well as craft manufacture. The exhibit featured books from our collections together with mineralogical samples, vials of pigments and dyes, and various samples of textiles and other end products of color processes. We thank the John Crerar Foundation for their support of this exhibit.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces April 16 — Nov. 2, 2007	Subjects Materials Science Art History of Science Technology
	Ryerson Laboratory and Eckhart Hall: A History The exhibit is a history of Ryerson Physical Laboratory and Eckhart Hall on the University of Chicago campus	Locations Eckhart Library View web exhibit >>	Subjects Physics Statistics Computer Science Mathematics Library Science Astronomy & Astrophysics
	Science Through the Ages: A Selection of Pioneer Works in Science, Technology, Medicine in the Collections of the John Crerar Library This exhibition explores the nature of science and its tendancy to expand man's knowledge of the natural world and the importance of periodicals and publications of academies and societies to the advancement of science.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Nov. 1 — Jan. 31, 1979	Subjects History of Science
	Science at the University of Chicago: A History from the Library's Archival Photofiles This exhibit draws from the rich collection of University of Chicago photographs available in the Library's online Archival Photofiles Collection and highlights the history of the science departments.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Oct. 20 — March 31, 2009	Subjects Photography History of Science Architecture
	Science in 19th Century Children's Books: An Exhibition Based on the Encyclopaedia Britannica Historical Collection of Books for Children The 100 books in this exhibition illustrate the relationship of these books books for children to contemporary scientific and technological advances, the attitudes toward these developments, and the prevailing philosophies and methods of teaching science in the 19th century.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Aug. 1 — Oct. 31, 1966	Subjects History of Science
	Science in Manuscript: Some Sources Illustrating the History of Science This exhibit of original sources form the University's rich manuscript collection in the history of science and medicine traces the history of science through the manuscript form from the thirteenth through twentieth century.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center Feb. 1 — April 1, 1982	Subjects History of Science
	The Science of Sustainability This exhibit takes a close look at some aspects of sustainable building design and how they can produce greener buildings.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces April 5 — Oct. 1, 2010 View web exhibit >>	Subjects Environmental Science Urban Studies Organismal Biology Chicago and Illinois University of Chicago
	Scientific Article: From the Republic of Letters to the World Wide Web The first scientific journal articles appeared in France and England in 1665, a key historical event in the fledgling enterprise of modern science. This exhibition draws upon a wide variety of communications pertinent to the origin and development of the scientific article.	Locations The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center May 1 — Sept. 1, 2000	Subjects History of Science
	Something's Brewing: The Art, Science and Technology of Beer Brewing The Crerar Library exhibit, Something's Brewing: The Art, Science and Technology of Brewing, explores the development of brewing, from the ancient Sumerians' rice-based beverages to the rise and fall of the Chicago brewing industry.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Jan. 8 — March 31, 2007 View web exhibit >>	Subjects Chicago and Illinois Materials Science History of Science Technology
	The Studio in the Field: Techniques of Early Wildlife Photography The Studio in the Field traces the development of wildlife photography as a popular cultural pursuit, focusing on the innovative techniques and strategies devised to craft pictures that would appear convincingly natural to nineteenth-century audiences.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces April 6 — Sept. 15, 2015	Subjects Organismal Biology Environmental Science Biological Sciences Photography
	They Saw Stars: Art and Astronomy This John Crerar Library exhibit highlights works of art and literature influenced by astronomy, either through scientific study, a fascination with the night sky, or as an inspiration for the literary imagination. Both contemporary and historical works are included.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces June 2 — Nov. 1, 2005 View web exhibit >>	Subjects History of Science Art Astronomy & Astrophysics
	Tickling Your Funny Bone: Humor and Science The nature of the scientific mind may be discovered in elegant mathematical expressions and beautifully designed experiments, and also perhaps by reading "Drool science" or Robert Bakers, "A stress analysis of a strapless evening gown". Our exhibit has chosen this second discovery route by examining examples of scientist's humor and humor with a science theme.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Oct. 1 — March 31, 2003	Subjects History of Science Physical Sciences Biological Sciences Literature
	Transcending Tradition: Jewish Mathematicians in German-Speaking Academic Culture This exhibition presents the life and works of Jewish mathematicians in Germany. Spanning a period of 150 years, it documents their emergence from segregation into the academic limelight, recalls their emigration, flight or death after 1933, and illuminates their lasting legacies.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces Oct. 4 — June 8, 2013	Subjects Mathematics History of Science
	Under Covers: The Art and Science of Book Conservation Book Conservation is an essential component of a comprehensive program to protect and preserve library collections for current and future use by scholars. This exhibit takes a close look at the scientific aspects of conservation and the treatment of collections.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces March 26 — Oct. 11, 2013 View web exhibit >>	Subjects Materials Science History of Print Chemistry
	Visions of Heaven This exhibit offers a history of the tools that astronomers have used, from the earliest observatories and instruments to recent innovations in telescope technology.	Locations Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces April 13 — Feb. 10, 2009	Subjects Astronomy & Astrophysics History of Science