Objects That Tell Stories: Recent Acquisitions
This ExhibitLab looks at the types of objects the Institute collects and the reasons for doing so.
On view through May 9, 2026
Horiba Exhibit Hall
Objects That Tell Stories: Recent Acquisitions, our latest ExhibitLab display, looks at the types of objects the Science History Institute collects and the reasons for doing so. In addition to looking for historically relevant and unique objects, we are also interested in the stories behind those objects. The HydroSphere water kits in this display are a great example of this type of collecting, as the viewer can see different iterations of an analytical instrument.
Another way in which we add to our collections is through objects that offer new perspectives on other objects already in our collections, such as the pairing of a Wig-L-Bug amalgamator and a painting. Our Covid and plastics acquisitions help tell the story of a specific moment in time, such as the recent pandemic, or contribute to an ongoing dialogue about the life of a material such as plastic.
Objects That Tell Stories was curated by Erin Gavin and assembled with the help of the collections team.
About ExhibitLab
ExhibitLab is the Science History Institute’s space in the Horiba Exhibit Hall for small, focused displays that showcase specific collections, prototype new ideas, or respond to current events. Our staff members, fellows, and school and community partners curate these displays.
For more information about ExhibitLab, please contact Scott Bowe at sbowe@sciencehistory.org.
Featured image: Detail of a jar containing plastics from albatross stomachs, 1990s.
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Horiba Exhibit Hall is named for Japanese businessman and 2006 Pittcon Heritage Award winner Masao Horiba (1924–2015), founder of Horiba Radio Laboratory, now Horiba Ltd., a manufacturer of advanced analytical and measurement technology.