Postcard from Paris: The Museum of Invention

There is a marvelous museum in Paris. So much so that I’m writing this postcard not as an analysis or some attempt at sociological insight, but simply as a fan. It’s the Musée des Arts et Métiers, and it was founded in 1794 as a result of the efforts of Abbé Henri Grégoire, an enlightenment scholar, anti-slavery campaigner, scientist and humanist.

In 1798 he was able to have the Abbey of Saint Martin des Champs set aside for the use of his new institution, and it’s been there ever since, although the buildings have now been extended. The purpose of the museum has always been both conservation and education. Teaching takes place alongside the models, with the help of expert demonstrators. There is a documentation room which has study areas and gives access to relevant current journals in the field. This results in a really high standard of curation, even to my eye. And I love the way that the museum is old but still strong. There is the pressure measuring equipment from the laboratory of Lavoisier; there are glass cases of miniature seventeenth century machinery – the cases themselves so old and fragile that they cannot be touched for fear of shattering the glass. But there are also robots from 1970 and a complete Renault Elf formula 1 racing car.

Nor is it thrown together at random. Each section: materials, scientific instruments, construction, communication, energy, mechanics, and transportation take the visitor through a survey of ideas, history, and progress in human ingenuity. There are original pieces, models (many quite old), hands on displays (modern), and audio-visual guides. Whether you thought you were interested in technology or not, the place is captivating.

I can’t pick favourites. The pictures here are some things I found especially interesting but this leaves out some better pieces I could not capture well on film.