Coffee Table Science #332
August 28, 2015
This week, we'll meet the authors of three big books that use stunning images to tell intriguing stories about the history of science. We'll discuss evolution and the building of the fossil record with invertebrate palaeontologist Paul Taylor, author of "A History of Life in 100 Fossils". Archivist Julie Halls shares stories of unheralded ingenuity from her book "Inventions that Didn't Change the World." And we'll learn about attempts to map the world in three dimensions from independent conservator Sylvia Sumira, author of "Globes: 400 Years of Exploration, Navigation, and Power."
Guests:
- Paul Taylor
- Julie Halls
- Sylvia Sumira
Featured Books
A History of Life in 100 Fossils
Inventions That Didn't Change the World
Globes: 400 Years of Exploration, Navigation, and Power
Guest Bios
Paul Taylor
Dr Paul Taylor has worked with the collection in the Natural History Museum’s Earth Sciences Department for more than 35 years, heading the Fossil Invertebrate and Plants division between 1990 and 2003. Since 2003 he has been a dedicated researcher, leading various projects on bryozoans of all ages. His research focuses on fossil and living bryozoans, especially their evolution and ecology, and he has published more than 300 scientific papers about bryozoans and other aspects of natural history including fossil folklore. He is the current editor-in-chief of the prestigious Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, and a past president of the International Bryozoology Association. He has studied collections in numerous natural history museums around the world, and has collected fossils from many different countries.
Julie Halls
Julie has worked at The National Archives for more than six years and is the records specialist for registered designs. She is studying for a PhD on nineteenth century registered designs at Birkbeck College, University of London, and has written a book about some of the more eccentric designs: "Inventions That Didn't Change The World".
Sylvia Sumira
Sylvia Sumira is an independent conservator specialising in globes. After graduating in History of Art from Leicester University, she gained a Diploma in Paper Conservation from Gateshead Technical College. She then went on to work in globe conservation at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, for several years and spent a period of study at the Austrian National Library in Vienna. Since setting up her own studio she has carried out extensive work for numerous clients including museums, libraries and other institutions in Britain and abroad, as well as for many private owners of globes. She is an accredited member of the UK Institute of Conservation.
