The Galileo Museum, Florence

Whilst we were boating along the river, I noticed a Galileo Museum along the riverbank. With my science background, I decided that was the place I would visit in my limited free time. 

It was a very interesting museum too, although I had to rush through the many exhibits and did not have time to watch the little videoclips that were available next to some exhibits. There were incredibly accurate medical models from the 1700s, as well as model or original examples of finely crafted scientific instruments, from microscopes to telescopes, from as early as the 1600s. 

Galileo Galilei was by no means the only brilliant Italian scientist. He of course was best known for his work in astronomy. His discoveries were very much opposed by the Catholic church of the day. Two other Italian scientists who straightaway spring to my mind were Luigi Galvani and Alessandro Volta, who were both pioneers in the field of current electricity (electrical currents). In the 1700s, Galvani discovered ‘animal electricity’ when he inserted two different metals into frogs’ legs and was astonished to see them jump. This discovery paved the way to our use of current electricity. Galvanic cells (batteries) and galvanometers are two devices named after him. After Galvani’s discovery, also in the 1700s, Volta discovered how to set up two metals to create a battery that could deliver quite a large voltage and give quite a shock. This paved the way to modern batteries and also to the use of electricity to isolate previously unknown elements like potassium and sodium. Volts, voltage, voltmeter and voltaic cell are measurements and devices named after him. I noticed some exhibits in the museum related to these early experiments on electrical currents and static electricity.

After my time at the museum, I had a light lunch (a delicious Greek salad) in the square where we met, and then our group visited a leather factory. I found their products were not nearly as sensational as those in the leather shop I visited the last time I was in Florence, and yet even more expensive. So I was not tempted to buy anything. 

But although I was hot and tired by the end of it, it was a great day. 

The building in the foreground of the first photo is the Galileo Museum. The description of each exhibit I am showing you is below it.