As part of Family Weekend 2024, Chiara Mingarelli, assistant professor of physics, hosted a pop-up exhibit of rare science books in the Sterling Memorial Library, Gates Classroom. Librarian Kayleigh Bohemier and her colleagues curated and set up the exhibition.
Karsten Heeger, Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics; Chair Physics Department, and Director Wright Laboratory, and Larry Gladney, Phyllis Wallace Dean of Diversity and Faculty Development in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Physics made introductory remarks. Gladney commented, “Throughout human history, science has formed the foundations in thought for innovation, growth, and societal progress. Universities have the crucial responsibility of connecting past scientific advances to the present and the future. These books represent the height of humanity’s intellectual achievement. They also highlight Yale’s historical importance among these achievements - allowing us to physically touch the genius underlying so much of our present- day comforts and capabilities.”
Chair Heeger added “It is wonderful to see this historical record of the foundations of physics, mathematics and astronomy. Some of the books such as the handwritten thesis of J.W. Gibbs and the signed copy of Faraday’s electricity book to Silliman are part of the rich history of the Physics Department and Yale. We remember Yale’s history in physics as we shape the future of the department.”
Sukai Liu, a parent of students from the classes of 2022 and 2026, commented, “Thank you for the “rare” opportunity for us to see these rare books. It was a most fascinating and memorable experience in our many Yale Parents’ Weekends.”
Regarding this event, Mingarelli stated, “This year we welcomed over 250 members of the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, as well as members of the broader Yale community to visit with 15 rare books on display in the Gates classroom of the Sterling Memorial Library. This is more than 3x as many visitors as we had last year, which was made possible by moving the viewing location from the Beinecke to the Sterling Memorial Library. Half the visitors were members of Physics Department, the other half were Yale students and their parents.
I am very grateful to our librarian, Kayleigh Bohemier, for her instrumental help and support in organizing this event.”
Yale posted to Instagram, “Hundreds of people accepted an invitation from the physics department to visit Sterling Memorial Library for an exclusive viewing of rare science books, including those of Sir Isaac Newton and Carl Friedrich Gauss. Visitors on Friday enjoyed an up-close view of the books, which were resting on plump blue pillows in the Gates Classroom.”
See link below to the October 23, 2023, Yale News story.