Monday 4 January 2010

Biology Study Models circa 1980








I bought this 835 page 1981 biology supplies catalogue yesterday at the Tyabb Packing House. There are some scary moments: care for some "pig embryos in formalin, 12 for US$44"? And some funny ones: "New Section: Computers"! There's butterflies mounted under glass, filmstrips on teenage contraception, human skeletons in wooden carry cases, "Pollution" board games, earthworm dissectograms and psychrometers. Many of the items shown are very beautiful, highly covetable or at least fascinating. I'd kill for some of the educational posters and I'd love some of the models, a few of which I have reproduced here.
This post is for my friend Anna, because if she actually gets to see my book she might want to steal it.

8 comments:

Elaine Prunty said...

i don't think anna would be the only one who wants to steal it...you may need a safety deposit box for that..somebody somewhere probably has all that stuffed stored in a garage ....if only I could find it.

Sandra Eterovic said...

Hi Elaine! I'm glad that you like it too. Yes, there are probably lots of schools with fantastic "old" equipment languishing in the back room, smelling of mouse poo...

ginevra said...

The models are particularly beautiful. I don't remember such nice models when I was at school: perhaps I've forgotten? Or they were too dusty?

I live near a University medical teaching supply shop: some interesting things but again, not as nice as these. Maybe students look at multimedia online now?

Sandra Eterovic said...

Hi Ginevra! You are right, students probably do look at alot of things online, rather than by using transparencies, Super 8 and models. I wonder whether in 30 years' time the stuff in that shop will seem quaint and fascinating?

kindra said...

this is my dream book!

Sandra Eterovic said...

Yup, same -- I wish I could twitch my nose and have the stuff in it...

Kickcan & Conkers said...

Sandra, I've included a couple of these beautiful images in this post, hope that's OK?

http://kickcanandconkers.blogspot.com/2010/05/beautiful-biology.html

Sandra Eterovic said...

Of course Deborah, I'm glad that you like them!