Exhibiting Mathematical Objects: Making Sense of your Department's Material Culture

Summary

Introduction

Most of the chapters in this volume suggest ways to use historical mathematical instruments or replicas of those instruments to highlight mathematical or pedagogical principles within the classroom. Yet, some teachers and professors may wish to bring these objects to a wider audience. An on-line or physical exhibit is one venue for increasing public awareness of mathematics and of one's own mathematics department. This chapter outlines fundamental principles of exhibit planning to help professors, teachers, and students identify, understand, and arrange historical objects and books that might be available to them. It suggests methods appropriate to a range of projects, from those displayed for a single day to cases professionally designed at the time of a major school anniversary or building renovation. It is illustrated with examples of models, devices, and books held by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History (NMAH) and the Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

Preliminaries

What is meant by the “material culture” of mathematics? This term simply refers to the objects used in mathematical research and teaching. It includes books, letters, and manuscript notes relating to mathematics. It encompasses drawing instruments as well as computing devices such as slide rules, planimeters, adding machines, and electronic calculators. It also includes physical objects that teach mathematical principles—certain games, toys and puzzles; geometric models; and mathematically important software. If you, your colleagues, or your students have any of this mathematical “stuff” tucked away in a drawer, closet or library, you have the raw materials for an exhibit.