The yellowed globe must be the oldest piece in the huge collection.
Physics museum
These and other historic tools, machines and measuring instruments from the history of physics research and teaching at TU Graz have beeen once again open to the public in the cellar of Petersgasse 16 since the beginning of the year. “If someone phones me and I have time, I’m very happy to show them these pieces myself and explain what they’re all about,” offers the professor of experimental physics. In his hands he holds a brittle TU Graz inventory from the year 1887. “This is a very special item. Just look at the writing!” he enthuses. This list and many more similar old textbooks are stored in his office on the first floor of the Institute.
In them he looks for diagrams and explanations (in some of them for years) of equipment which is brought to him and whose purpose he doesn’t recognise straightaway. It is not uncommon that some pieces are still used by professors in lectures. For instance, the historic tuning forks and Helmholtz resonators whose pointed ends you can hold to your ear and filter out a particular tone.
Sometimes the researchers had to look for years to find an explanation to one of the 128 pieces in the physics museum.
Relocation
The Physics Museum also existed in the past. Gernot Pottlacher’s extensive collection was originally housed in the corridors of the Institute in high showcases made of heavy, dark wood, and was only able to be “relocated” in the bright glass exhibition areas after comprehensive rebuilding of the building. “But we couldn’t even give away the old glass showcases,” explains Seidl. “I completely restored them and they’re now in a storeroom waiting for a new task.
The old, heavy showcases are waiting for a new task.
