About Science Museum, South Kensington, London

Stephenson's Rocket Locomotive

                           

Boulton and Watt Steam Engine

Modern Steam Locomotive

Airplane in Flight Gallery

Space Suit

                               

Apollo Space Capsule

Ford T Model Car

                                

To see two big museums in a single day is quite tiresome and will not give a full picture of the famous exhibits displayed there. Yet time constraint made us rush through these two capacious museums casting a casual glance at the countless attractions. We visited first “ Natural History Museum” and spent three hours and later went to “Science Museum” which is adjacent to it on the Exhibition Road. A subway connects the museum to the South Kensington Underground Station Though it was founded in 1857, many changes and renovations have been carried out to make it more developed and useful to public with so many rapid changes in various fields of science. It is one of the city’s major attractions and more than 3.3 million people visit this museum every year.

 This museum is a public funded museum and entry is free except for temporary exhibitions. This museum has been merged with the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester in 2012. In 1857 Bennet Woodcraft founded this Museum from the collection of the Royal Society of Arts and items from the South Kensington Museum. From these items the collection of machinery was separated and made into the “Museum of Patents” in 1858 and later called the “Patent Office Museum”. In 1883 these items were transferred to South Kensington museum and later in 1885 the science collections were renamed as “Science Museum”. The Art collections eventually became the “Victoria and Albert Museum”. On 26^th June, 1909 the Science Museum became an independent entity. The present building was designed by Sir Richard Allison and the Museum was opened in stages to public between 1919 and 1928. Later many extensions and modifications have been to include more galleries. This Museum has a collection of nearly 3,00,000 items connected with various branches of Science and technology.

 The “East Hall” spreading up to three floors is the first area seen by visitors at the entrance.  Many big steam engines of different sizes and shapes greet your eye. The oldest surviving steam engine (Puffing Billy) designed by William Hedley in 1814 is one of the star attractions. The gradual change and evolution of steam engine is shown by these wonderful mechanical objects. Another important attraction on the ground floor is the re-creation of James Watt’s garret shop comprising nearly 8,300 articles taken from the famous scientist’s house at Heathfield Hall which was demolished in 1927. The giant metallic ring fitted with LED bulbs gives out different patterns and messages when visitors type messages in the energy gallery.

 The gallery “Making the Modern World” deals with rockets, satellites and exploration of space. The models of Stephenson’s rocket and Apollo Spacecraft are prominent exhibits in this section.  In the “Flight” gallery, the models of various types of aero planes starting right from that of Wright Brothers is worth seeing. The helicopters and cross section of the Boeing 747 and military fighter planes like Spitfire and Hurricane surprise us by their sheer size and complicated machinery. To see such scientific wonders from such close quarters is really a rare opportunity.  Display of various models of cars is another interesting place to see. Very old cars along with most modern cars are exhibited in this section. One can see how fast technology is developing creating many new things with modern comforts and facilities. 

various types of switches and plugs

                        

various types of fuses and fuse boxes

                      

                                  

Radio in olden days

                                        Teasmade models (machine fro making tea)

Next one can find a lot of interest in the gallery “Information Age” which shows the evolution of communication field. Many models right from Morse telegraph to latest digital devices are displayed here. Various models of old phones with dialing system and their odd shapes make us remember our bygone days when only very few people had the privilege of having a desk phone in their houses. Others had to go to telegraph office or any telephone booth to communicate with their people. In computer section the first original computer by its sheer big size and so many keys makes us wonder and think how fast science has transformed the size and shape of the huge computing machine to modern slick size and shape.

Analytical Engine devised by Charles Babbage

Ferranti Pegasus, 1959 the oldest computer in the Museum

                         

                        

 Various models of domestic gadgets such as sewing machines, refrigerators, washing machines and mixers are displayed in chronological order. We felt very much curious and interested to see those old models made of different materials including earth and porcelain. We also saw the photos of many famous scientists and their life histories and their contribution to science.


                   

Gas Heaters

Cleaners in various sizes

Coal Stoves of earlier period

 In the Launchpad Gallery there are more than fifty interactive exhibits with live experiments and one can avail the advantage of explainers who give you a clear description about these objects. Another useful gallery for school children is “Engineer Your Future” which gives a lot of information about careers in engineering and encourages them to choose the field of their choice. This gallery was started by the Royal Academy of Engineering in collaboration with a group of companies and was opened in December 2014.

 The Science Museum has also organized many touring exhibitions at various venues in U.K. and Europe to educate and inspire people with latest information on various scientific topics such as “The Science of Aliens”, “The Science of Spying”, “The Science Box” and “The Science of Survival” etc. The Science Museum’s web site gives a lot of information about its valuable collections. The Palgrave Macmillan published the first complete history of the Museum since 1957 under the title “Science for the Nation: Perspectives on the History of the Science Museum” on the occasion of the centenary year of the Science Museum on 14^th April. 2010. “The Dana Research Centre and Library", along with facilities like a café and bar, was opened in the premises of the museum in 2003 for public convenience.   Documentary Films on science and nature are shown in Imax 3D theatre . Tickets have to be bought for I-Max theatre, flight simulators and special exhibitions.

We did not find time to visit Henry Wellcome Gallery on fourth and fifth floors. The fourth floor exhibit called “Glimpses of Medical History” deals with history of medicine and the fifth floor called “Science and the Art of Medicine” with models of medical instruments and practices from ancient days and from many countries. The library of this museum has been shifted to Science Museum Library in Wroughton,near Swindon, Wiltshire. It has many valuable books, journals, manuscripts on Science, Medicine and technology. Nearly 1, 70,000 items from this Museum which are not on current display are stored at Blythe House in West Kensington.  This House has many research facilities like a conservation laboratory, a photo studio and a special area to examine newly arrived items and specimens. Let us hope that a new library with all facilities may be set up by authorities within the premises of the museum for the benefit of visitors and young budding scientists.

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  7th August, 2017                                                            Somaseshu Gutala

Natural History Museum, South Kensington, U.K.

Inner Main Hall

Statue of Charles Darwin 

Terracota figures on the walls

Skeleton and model of Blue Whale

                                             

We went by train to South Kensington from Baker Street. There are two more well-known museums located on South Kensington Road: Science museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. The building has a very imposing façade built in grand Victorian style. The famous British Architect Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) designed the structure of this building in Romanesque style  This is a publicly funded museum and one has free entry here. One has to devote at least one full day to see this museum comprising nearly eighty million items all of which we may not see in such a short duration. These specimens may be classified into Botanical, Entomological (scientific study of insects), Paleontological (study of ancient life of pre-historic plants, mammals, fish, fungi, insects, fungi, microbes and fossils) and Zoological types. This museum has specialized in Taxonomy (scientific classification of organisms), identification and conservation. Detailed information is given about every exhibit on the labels.

 This Museum was established in 1881 and continued as a part of the famous British Museum till 1992 despite its legal separation from the British Museum in 1963.In 1986 Geological Museum became a part of this museum also.  In 1996 the museum’s galleries were completely renovated and re-built. Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, acts as the chief patron of this world-famous Museum. The massive 2.2 tonne statue of the famous scientist Charles Darwin unveiled in 1885 is seen in the central hall.

Entrance to Earth Zone (Red Zone)

Various types of minerals and rocks

                                         

Diplodocus (Dippy)

 Nearly fifty lakh people visit this museum every year.   In the central vaulted hall once the 105 feet-long gigantic skeleton of Diplodocus, called fondly known as Dippy, used to be displayed. Recently it has been replaced by the 82 foot-long, 4.5 ton Blue Whale skeleton (called as Hope) in 2017. This mighty Blue Whale was found stranded on the sand banks at Wexford harbor, Ireland in 1891.  This museum has four sections namely Red Zone, Green Zone, Blue Zone and orange Zone. In the Red Zone one can see the red revolving globe with a fiery appearance (designed by Neal Potter) serving as entry to the Earth Lab. One can see various types of volcanic stones, rocks, minerals and gem stones. The photos and models show the disastrous effects of earth quakes and volcanoes and their influence in changing the composition of the earth.

 In the Green Zone one can see stuffed models of various birds, insects and fossils of marine reptiles,creeping worms showcased in glass cases. The fossils of many marine reptiles and birds are also displayed here.

silver studded butterflies

 In the Blue Zone very huge skeletons of dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Psittacosaurus and Stegosaurus are seen along with fish like whales, sharks,Amphibians, Reptiles,Human Biology, marine invertebrates, invertebrates and mammals. The stuffed figures of pachyderms like mammoths and rhinos attract many visitors by their sheer life-like size and realistic appearance. In human biology section many models and charts are exhibited on cell formation, reproductive system and DNA structure. Children will have a chance of knowing a lot about the wonders and diversity of Nature and how animals and birds adapt to their surroundings by various changes in their physical shape and structure.

Dinosaur

Rhino

Blue Zone in the Whale Hall

Turtle

Reptiles

Extinct giant Armadillo

Plesiosaurus skeleton

marine fish

Wild Bison

Wild Boar

                                        

                                           

Bears

 

Human Evolution

                                          

Evolution of human body

                                    

Dino Store

                        

 In the Orange Zone one can see wild life garden and the famous Darwin Centre where one can view the valuable zoological and Botanical collections of Darwin. In the Library section there are many books, journals, manuscripts, art work collections on various topics. Access to library is only by appointment. There are many valuable research papers and books along with specimens for scientists to pursue their research here. To spread science education and create awareness about conservation of nature a new multimedia studio (The Attenborough Studio)  in collaboration with B.B.C.’s Natural History Unit was started. Here daily lectures and demonstrations are being organized. This studio is named after Richard Attenborough (1923-2014), the famous English Actor, Film Maker and President of the Royal Academy of dramatic Art.

Darwin center front view

                               

  At every level a café and gift shop are seen along with basic amenities like rest rooms and benches to relax. In the gift shops a variety of items like Dinosaur models, wall prints, butterfly souvenirs, necklaces, pendants, t-shirts, jewelry boxes, picture cards, trays, brooches, bracelets, guide books, DVDs and photography books are displayed with animal and bird themes. This will create a sense of awareness about the need for protection and conservation of various flora and fauna. After visiting this most spacious museum one will surely become aware of nature’s wonderful variety and complexity and feel aware of the need for protecting the dwindling number of living creatures in this world. This Museum has another sister museum "Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum" at Tring, Hertfordshire built by Lionel Walter Rothschild in 1938 and taken over by Natural History Museum in 2007.

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        16th July, 2017                                                            Somaseshu Gutala



                                
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About Cassiobury Park, Watford, U.K. (Part-II)

Cha Cafe, Cassiobury Park

Swings for Disabled Children

                           

Cha Cafe Playground

Grand Union Canal

                   

Cassiobury Park

Carving on the tree

Carving on the tree

                       

Cedar Trees in the park

Wooden markers, Nature Trail

Cassiobury Farm

Cassiobury Farmhouse

                         

River Gade (Cassiobury Park)

                                

The Cassiobury Park extends from Rickmansworth Road in the east to the Grand Union Canal in the west   The park is bounded by Parkside Drive and Coningsdrive on the north and Cassiobury park Avenue on the south. The western part of the park spreading over 25.1 acres is local nature reserve managed by the Herts& Middlesex Wild Life Trust. This park is set up in 1909 from the land purchased by the Watford Borough Council from Essex family. The park is just two minutes’ walk from Watford Station on the metropolitan line and 1.3 miles from Watford Junction. As it is located in the heart of the town many people visit this park with their children and pets to walk freely breathing fresh and pure air amidst dense green surroundings.

 The park authorities created many recreation and play facilities to cater to the needs of children, youth, disabled persons, pets and elderly people. There are eighty eight parking slots in the Gade Avenue near the exit out of which six are reserved for disabled persons. As soon as one enters the park one can see children’s park just beside “Cha Café”. Many colorful slides, climbing frames, swings and other play things are seen with seating arrangement for children and their parents. Animal figures carved out of wood serve as seats for children. At the Cha Café many tables and chairs are seen where many people relax sipping coffee and having refreshments along with their children. Toilet facilities are provided here. The Cha café is open from 9.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m. There is another kiosk serving drinks and food near the Miniature railway during weekends and school holidays.

 On the left side near the entrance one can notice both grass and hard tennis courts where young people play games. There are three lawns allotted for croquet club near Cha café. There is also a basket ball court between Cha café and the Bowls green beside the hard Tennis court. Watford Bowls Club has a green and a club house. Many old people are seen here playing bowls with mallets.  For children aged up to 14 years there are play areas beside the paddling pools near Rustic Bridge Crossing where the Gade River passes before joining the Grand Union Canal. The Grand Union Canal links Birmingham to the River Thames.Fishing in the River Gade is free but license should be obtained from Watford Council’s Leisure and Community Services. The River Gade  joins  the River Colne at Rickmansworth. The River Colne joins the Thames at Staines. Many children enjoy wading through water and viewing water fowls near the shallow waters of the River Gades. As a part of renovation project, a new water play park with splash pads, jets and water fountains will be opened near the two paddle pools soon. 

The new Cassiobury hub will include toilets, changing rooms, a two-storey community and exhibition room.  During weekends children can enjoy miniature train ride for ½ k.m. by paying 1.50 pounds each. During weekends and school holidays children can climb over bouncy castle and feel floating mirth. They have to pay two pounds each for enjoying this ride for ten minutes. There is a separate cycle track for bike enthusiasts to go for cycling along the sylvan paths flanked by shady trees and green plains. The historic 104-year old band stand has been restored to its original place with a new appearance and outlook. On holidays many music lovers gather here and listen to musical concerts.

 The Cassiobury farm and fishery is not far from the park.  One can go there only on foot via Gade Avenue (Cassiobury parking place), Langley Way or Rickmanworth Road. Once there used to be water cress farm here since 1820s and lasted up to 1920s. Later it was closed. After 5-year restoration work this water cress farm was brought back to its pristine glory and a kitchen garden along with rare and exotic animal farm was also added to attract more visitors. Traditional fruits and vegetables like carrots, potatoes, peas, apples, strawberries and raspberries are cultivated mainly for feeding animals and birds located here. There is a Victorian Greenhouse here where fruits like bananas and lemons are grown. Composting and vermiculture are done to use as fertilizers. In the kitchen garden many herbal plants like thyme, rosemary, mint, basil, coriander, sweet marjoram,fennel etc are grown. In 2015 breeding of honey bees was started to produce pure honey. This farm is open only during summer on certain days from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 a.m. For persons older than 14 years seven pounds are charged each and for persons younger than 14 years only five pounds each are charged and children have free entry to this farm. In the land just on the western side of the Gade River, local Nature Reserve is seen where one can walk watching birds and small animals like swans,ravens, wood peckers, black birds, gulls, wood pigeons,sparrows,pheasants, herons, king fishers, white fronted geese, bats, butterflies, dragonflies, newts, squirrels, foxes, snakes etc.

 There are many old and gigantic trees in park such as beech, elms, oaks, cypress, alder, hazel, cherry, maple and chestnut trees with broad green foliage forming all along the park a green shady panorama. There are various types of land like grassland, scrubland, marshland, wood land and water cress farm. It would have been more helpful for visitors if labels are fixed on the trunks of the trees showing their names and significance. Though there are wooden boards giving information about the park, it would have been better if pamphlets and brochures are given to visitors at nominal prices to give many interesting facts about this scenic park.  To view Nature’s beauty and appreciate her diversity one should visit parks where all people irrespective of age can enjoy and breathe pure and fresh air and feel refreshed and re-vitalized.

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   6th July, 2017                                                                      Somaseshu Gutala