Studying “Lost” Scientific Instruments

Abstract Historians of scientific instruments have understandably focused on objects that they can see and hold. It is deeply satisfying to work with tangible things, especially when the things in question were actively used. However, there are many scientific instruments that no longer exist and about which we would like to know more. There are different types of instruments dating from antiquity to the more recent past that are now “lost,” through various circumstances. There are different approaches to studying these, not least because the evidence we have for their existence is so varied. For some, we have written descriptions and, occasionally, visual depictions. Fortunately, there are many avenues – including newer techniques involving databases and network analysis – that give us insights into objects, individuals, and relationships that might otherwise be unknown.