Issue 09 of the Science Museum Group Journal is now live
As guest editor Frank Trentmann notes in his introduction to this
special issue of the Journal, energy is more than a physical phenomenon
of watts and carbon. In a world of increasing energy consumption,
depleted resources and environmental damage, energy has become a crucial
topic of cultural enquiry and political concern too. The articles in
Issue 09 emerged from a series of symposia on the Material Culture of
Energy held at the Science Museum in 2017—18 and they present
perspectives from across disciplines and countries. Articles range from
research on lighting design in South America, to the impact of
refrigeration on traditional Indian food preparation, and from a
comparison of electrification in Canada and Japan to a study of the
cultural meanings of the coal fire in post-war Britain. Articles by
museum professionals indicate both a shared interest and creative
diversity in tackling the challenges of displaying energy. They include a
collaboration with a well-known artist in Manchester, the collection of
personal stories alongside objects in Edinburgh, presenting visitors
with difficult choices in Munich, and employing theatre to engage
disadvantaged children in Recklinghausen. A detailed study of a 3D model
of electricity demand from the 1950s shows what museum objects can
contribute to research. Other articles describe the experience of
working within an international research project on social responses to
nuclear power and provide a detailed bibliographical essay to support
further research in this fascinating field.