Sammlung 3D – ein Theodolit von Georg Friedrich Brander

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Dieser Theodolit aus dem 18. Jh. ist Bestandteil der Sammlung Sternwarte. Angelegt wurde diese von Rudolf Wolf (1816-1893). Er war Astronomieprofessor, Leiter der Semper-Sternwarte, Direktor der Bibliothek des Polytechnikums (heute ETH) und Sammler astronomischer Instrumente. Für seine Sammlung hat er 1873 ein Inventar angelegt. Leider … Read more

3D Collection – Measuring Areas using the Orthogonal Planimeter

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«Probably never before have so many surface areas of flat figures needed to be calculated, while we are occupied with the most detailed land surveys and the most significant road constructions.» Carl Maximilian von Bauernfeind: Die Planimeter von Ernst, Wetli und Hansen, welche den Flächeninhalt … Read more

3D Collection – a Theodolite To Go

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A theodolite is used to measure angles, for example in engineering, architecture or surveying. This theodolite is a travel theodolite dating from 1899. Due to its small size and low weight, it was well suited for use on excursions. ETH acquired this theodolite in 1899. … Read more

3D Collection – the Helmholtz and Meyerstein Ophthalmometer

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We were fortunate enough to acquire this ophthalmometer together with around 1000 other objects from the former Institute of Physics for the collection of scientific instruments and teaching aids. Many of these objects come from lecture experiments, the Department of Industrial Research (AFIF) and optical research. … Read more

Sammlung 3D – eine C-35 im Zürcher Windkanal

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Dieses Flugzeugmodell stammt aus dem ehemaligen Institut für Aerodynamik. Rund 430 Objekte, darunter weitere Flugzeugmodelle und andere aerodynamischen Forschungsmodelle, wurden 2019 an die Sammlung wissenschaftlicher Instrumente und Lehrmittel übergeben. Viele dieser Objekte wurden entweder im grossen Windkanal oder im Überschallkanal, für den das Institut weltweite … Read more

Sammlung 3D – ein Zürcher Vermessungskompass

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Dieser Vermessungskompass, der auch dioptrische Prismenbussole genannt wird, kam 2020 mit rund 320 Vermessungsinstrumenten aus dem Institut für Geodäsie und Photogrammetrie in die Sammlung wissenschaftlicher Instrumente und Lehrmittel. Dioptrische Prismenbussole Die dioptrische Prismenbussole ist eine besondere Ausführung eines Kompasses, der ohne sichtbare Kompassnadel auskommt. Stattdessen richtet sich das … Read more

3D Collection – Wild Heerbrugg’s First Theodolite

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This theodolite, called the WILD T2 universal theodolite, was purchased by ETH in 1923. This was also the year in which the Geodetic Institute was officially mentioned for the first time; this happened during the summer semester. However, geodesy and topography had already been taught … Read more

3D Collection – a Folding Sundial made of Ivory

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  3D digitalisation at ETH library A project in which 20 selected objects were 3D digitalised using photogrammetry was launched by the collection of scientific instruments and teaching aids at ETH library in 2022. The images were captured using photogrammetry by Thomas Erdin from ikonaut in … Read more

When Frank Lloyd Wright’s triumphant tour of Europe stopped in Zurich in 1952

From the 2nd of February to the 9th of March 1952, the travelling exhibition “Frank Lloyd Wright – Sixty Years of Living Architecture” made a guest appearance at the Zurich Kunsthaus. The reportage by Comet Photo AG (Zurich) immortalises in eighteen shots the obvious joy of discovery that the huge, almost overwhelming architectural models triggered in the public. Today’s viewers of this historical photo series will not fail to notice the contrast between the avant-garde appearance of Wright’s buildings and the out-of-fashion clothing of the museum visitors. However, if one takes clothing seriously as a cultural medium – and not as an anecdotal addition to the “actual” image content – it is precisely fashion that offers itself here as a common denominator between architecture, photography or photojournalism and personal image cultivation. The relationship between modernism, which from the beginning aimed at a comprehensive reform of life, even a permanent revolution along the lines of the technical-scientific innovation process, and fashion has always been fraught with tension and marked by contradictions. Such image sources as those of the Wright exhibition in Zurich in 1952 are irreplaceable for examining the history of architectural reception.

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