Twee natuurkundige instrumenten before 1867

This page, printed by F.W. Funckler, features two photographs of physics instruments, likely dating to the late 19th century. Placed in what seems to be a catalogue, the instruments appear alongside descriptions and prices, which tells us about their function as tools for both education and commerce. These weren’t simply scientific tools; they were commodities within a growing market for scientific education. The presence of such a catalogue reflects the increasing professionalization of scientific education during this period, and hints at the rising demand for specialized equipment in schools and universities. To truly understand the role of these instruments, we can dig into archival resources such as trade catalogues, school curricula, and the records of scientific instrument makers to reconstruct the world in which the instruments were used. By looking at the economics of scientific education we can see how ideas and techniques were shaped by the marketplace.