Collections & Exhibits

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Exhibit Thumbnail Title Locations Subjects
Exhibits
living the legacy African Americans in the Sciences
The Library joins the University of Chicago in its celebration of the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth with Highlights from the Library's African American Collections.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Jan. 7 — Jan. 31, 2005
Subjects
African-American Studies
A Bold Experiment A Bold Experiment: The Origins of the Sciences at the University of Chicago
In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the University of Chicago's founding, this exhibit looks back at the establishment of the natural sciences at the University.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Sept. 21 — March 31, 2016
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Subjects
University of Chicago
History of Science
Chicago Celebrates Darwin Chicago Celebrates Darwin
The John Crerar Library presents Chicago Celebrates Darwin, an exhibit which revisits the Darwin Centennial Celebration hosted by the University in 1959. We look back at the original letters, pictures, and documents from that conference to get a sense of the atmosphere and the importance of the events, including the effect of Darwin’s theories on the research and popular opinion of the day.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 19 — March 26, 2010
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Subjects
University of Chicago
Ecology & Evolution
Organismal Biology
Biological Sciences
Chicago and Illinois
trains Chicago Central: A History of Rails and Trains in the City
The exhibit examines some elements of this history, including the city's stations, trains and rail workers and innovations in train technology.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 16 — Oct. 12, 2012
Subjects
Chicago and Illinois
Technology
Discovering the Beauty and Charm of the Wilderness Discovering the Beauty and Charm of the Wilderness: Chicago Connections to the National Park Service
The National Park Service offers a rich variety of landforms, flora, and fauna that have been the subject of many University of Chicago scientific studies. The parks have also served as inspiration for art, photography and literature. To mark the National Park Service’s 100-year anniversary, we delve into the Library’s archives and rare collections to uncover Chicago connections to the parks.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 31 — Dec. 31, 2016
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Subjects
Organismal Biology
American History
University of Chicago
Environmental Science
Enrico Fermi Enrico Fermi: The Life of a Scientist. Images and documents, including his Chicago years
Enrico Fermi's life unfolds in images and documents, offering insights into this Nobel Prize winning scientist's childhood and youth in Rome, his university studies in Pisa, his love for mountains and sport, and his life as a scientist and teacher in Rome, New York, and Chicago.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 6 — Sept. 8, 2006
Subjects
Physics
History of Science
Octave Chanute Flights before the Wrights: Octave Chanute, Chicago. Aeronautical Pioneer, Engineer & Teacher
An exhibition of Octave Chanute's accomplishments and highlights from the visionary's career. Chanute’s novel biplane glider, an engineering masterpiece in the world of 1896 flying machines was the foundation for 20th-century aircraft.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Nov. 1 — June 1, 2002
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Subjects
Aviation
Technology
History of Science
Nobel Prize From DNA to the Expanding Universe: The University of Chicago and the Nobel Prizes in the Sciences
This exhibit, originally developed for the Nobel Prize Centennial Exhibition of the Nobel Foundation in Sweden, and displayed in the Museum of Science and Industry in the fall of 2003, has been adapted for display in the John Crerar Library, with a focus on Nobel Prize winning scientists such as Enrico Fermi, Subramanyan Chandrasekhar and James Watson.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Nov. 7 — Feb. 4, 2006
Subjects
Science, Technology, and Math
Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences
University of Chicago
Mattys hot dog stand From Sausage to Hot Dog: the Evolution of an Icon
The hot dog is an American creation, and Chicago even has its own style. But where did this popular food come from and how did it develop? This exhibit looks to the hot dog's origins in sausage-making practices brought by European immigrants to the Midwest. We consider techniques used in neighborhood butcher shops and the rise of industrial meat production. Homemade recipes and artisanal makers past and present are also examined.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 29 — Dec. 31, 2013
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Subjects
History of Science
History
American History
Chicago and Illinois
Great Lakes The Great Lakes: Our Legacy, Our Future
The exhibit focused on the EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office and their work to ensure the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
March 1 — Oct. 31, 2001
Subjects
Environmental Science
Urban Studies
Ecology & Evolution
James Watson Honest Jim: James D. Watson, the Writer
Fifty years ago, James Watson and Francis Crick made one of the major discoveries of the twentieth century: they deciphered the double helical structure of DNA. The discovery began a revolution in molecular biology that led to major advances in science and medicine.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Jan. 19 — May 28, 2004
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Subjects
Biological Sciences
Molecular & Cell Biology
History of Science
Image of Crerar Library A Library for All Time: The History of the John Crerar Library
The John Crerar Library holds a place of distinction in the world of libraries. The images and texts presented here trace the history of the library from its founding as a free public library of science made possible by the gift of a dedicated philanthropist through its growth to an outstanding print collection with innovative research services and into its present form which combines these traditional services and collections with modern electronic information resources and creative collaborations with campus partners.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 29 — March 31, 2014
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Subjects
Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences
History of Science
main poster.jpg The Origins of Color
The Origins of Color exhibit explores the historical and scientific development of pigments and dyes and their production and uses in both fine art as well as craft manufacture. The exhibit featured books from our collections together with mineralogical samples, vials of pigments and dyes, and various samples of textiles and other end products of color processes. We thank the John Crerar Foundation for their support of this exhibit.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 16 — Nov. 2, 2007
Subjects
Materials Science
Art
History of Science
Technology
Nurse with Baby Past, Present, Future: the Evolution of Medicine at the University of Chicago's Hospitals
This exhibit provides an overview of the history and evolution of the medical school program, the hospital facilities and their technology, and medical partnerships with other Chicago area hospitals.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 15 — March 30, 2012
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Subjects
University of Chicago
Medicine
Yerkes Science at the University of Chicago: A History from the Library's Archival Photofiles
This exhibit draws from the rich collection of University of Chicago photographs available in the Library's online Archival Photofiles Collection and highlights the history of the science departments.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 20 — March 31, 2009
Subjects
Photography
History of Science
Architecture
Green Roof on Searle The Science of Sustainability
This exhibit takes a close look at some aspects of sustainable building design and how they can produce greener buildings.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 5 — Oct. 1, 2010
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Subjects
Environmental Science
Urban Studies
Organismal Biology
Chicago and Illinois
University of Chicago
Shared Past, Shared Future Shared Past, Shared Future: The Marine Biological Laboratory and the University of Chicago
The recent affiliation between UChicago and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is the latest chapter in the long, intertwined history of the two institutions.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 19 — Oct. 31, 2016
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Subjects
Organismal Biology
University of Chicago
Something's Brewing: The Art, Science and Technology of Beer Brewing Something's Brewing: The Art, Science and Technology of Beer Brewing
The Crerar Library exhibit, Something's Brewing: The Art, Science and Technology of Brewing, explores the development of brewing, from the ancient Sumerians' rice-based beverages to the rise and fall of the Chicago brewing industry.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Jan. 8 — March 31, 2007
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Subjects
Chicago and Illinois
Materials Science
History of Science
Technology
Cracker Jack advertisement Sweet Home Chicago: Chocolate and Confectionery Production and Technology in the Windy City
Drawing from items in the substantial cookery collection at the John Crerar Library, this exhibit explores the history of chocolate and confectioners in the city and the science and technology of the candy making process.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 10 — June 11, 2011
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Subjects
Advertising
Chicago and Illinois
Technology
art and astronomy They Saw Stars: Art and Astronomy
This John Crerar Library exhibit highlights works of art and literature influenced by astronomy, either through scientific study, a fascination with the night sky, or as an inspiration for the literary imagination. Both contemporary and historical works are included.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
June 2 — Nov. 1, 2005
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Subjects
History of Science
Art
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Tickling Your Funny Bone: Science and Humor Tickling Your Funny Bone: Humor and Science
The nature of the scientific mind may be discovered in elegant mathematical expressions and beautifully designed experiments, and also perhaps by reading "Drool science" or Robert Bakers, "A stress analysis of a strapless evening gown". Our exhibit has chosen this second discovery route by examining examples of scientist's humor and humor with a science theme.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 1 — March 31, 2003
Subjects
History of Science
Physical Sciences
Biological Sciences
Literature
Transcending Traditions - Jewish Mathematicians Transcending Tradition: Jewish Mathematicians in German-Speaking Academic Culture
This exhibition presents the life and works of Jewish mathematicians in Germany. Spanning a period of 150 years, it documents their emergence from segregation into the academic limelight, recalls their emigration, flight or death after 1933, and illuminates their lasting legacies.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 4 — June 8, 2013
Subjects
Mathematics
History of Science
Main exhibit poster Under Your Feet, Chicago's Water, Freight, Subway and Storm Tunnels
Under Your Feet explores the system—from the first water tunnels completed in 1867, to the now defunct freight tunnels of the early 1900's, to the subway system we use today, to the Deep Tunnel project and storm tunnels of the future.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Feb. 14 — March 31, 2006
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Subjects
Technology
Art
Chicago and Illinois
Nasa image of outer space Visions of Heaven
This exhibit offers a history of the tools that astronomers have used, from the earliest observatories and instruments to recent innovations in telescope technology.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 13 — Feb. 10, 2009
Subjects
Astronomy & Astrophysics
History of Science
microfilm worker Well Equipped: Library Technology from Days Past
Over the years Crerar Library has used the newest equipment and technologies to make books, journals, and other information accessible to patrons. These tools have evolved through the years. A library card system has been replaced with an online catalog with significant collections available electronically. Early techniques for photocopying and microfilming materials have been eclipsed by digital scanning services. Displayed are objects and photos of some of these earlier pieces used by the Library.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Sept. 18 — June 7, 2018
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Subjects
University of Chicago Library
Library Science