Friday, September 11, 2026

As Time Goes By

 We start today where we left off, with printing.


Typewriters were part of that process. Some are very old indeed, while others not so much.


This looks complicated. The linotype machine used molten metal as part of its process in casting lines of type.


Here we have a display case filled with different ways to listen to music.


Antique clocks and antique phones.


Old computers, and old cameras.


Above, a radio, camera, and old television.


Another radio, and a pinball machine.


I moved off from Artifact Alley into one of the thematic sections, this one dealing with science and medicine. Here we see physicians' tools, many of which are not so different today.


William Osler was a Canadian doctor who taught at McGill. He became hugely influential as a medical doctor and teacher, emphasizing that the classroom should be the patient's bedside. He would later become one of the founders of the world renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital, and then teach at Oxford.

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Tools Of The Trade

Here we have items suggested by science fiction, some of which have become real world applicable.


The HitchBOT was a Canadian experiment, a hitchhiking robot that crossed Canada. This is one of two. The other was unfortunately destroyed in the United States.


A cabinet filled with tools, along with some large stationary ones on top.


This includes sewing machines.


And more tools, these for measurement.


The next cabinet looks at glass and its role in lights.


Old fashioned elegant street lights are displayed with telescopes, one older and the others more contemporary.


Printing presses fundamentally changed the world, allowing for the transfer of information and knowledge on a wide scale.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Within Artifact Alley

 Continuing where I left off yesterday, more inside Artifact Alley.


This is a boundary marker.


Some old fashioned tools are seen here.


Here we have an amphicar, a unique vehicle capable of going into the water.


Steamships and sail ships are represented here in model form.


The bikes overhead caught my eye.


Mounted above, a very old computer console and a robotic arm.


While below them is an electron microscope dating to the 1950s.


Relics of another time- models of satellites and missiles. The time of the Cold War.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Science And Technology

I paid a visit to the Canada Science and Technology Museum in late August. This is one of several national museums in the National Capital Region, and is out in the Gloucester area. It is run by Ingenium, a Crown organization set up by the government, and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum also fall under the organization. It's been several years since I've paid a visit.


This large lighthouse stands on the grounds.


As does this big locomotive.


And then there is this.


I continued towards the Museum. The building at left is the Ingenium Centre, which houses the Museum's archives, labs, vaults, and workshops.


Here we have the main entrance.


One of the first things you see inside is this big steam engine in the adjacent display area.


The Museum is divided up into quadrants, and in between is Artifact Alley, a good spot to begin a visit, with display cases organized thematically, such as this one focused around winter equipment.


This display case looks at the brand of Canada itself.


Canoes old and new are overhead.