Year: 2013

Beyond the object: collecting design process material

February 18, 2013

This neat Australian-made Braille note-taker, the Jot a Dot, is on display in the Powerhouse Museum's version of Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention. I selected it to complement the story of inventor Louis Braille, which came with the exhibition but without any objects.

The Clare is closing

February 13, 2013

The Clare Hotel on Broadway is closing this year. It will open again, but not as the comfortably crumpled venue of recent times. The Clare’s past and likely future are reflective of the fortunes of Sydney pubs.

Expedition to establish first Observatory (detail), by Charles Kerry, Kosciuzko, New South Wales, Australia, 1897, Powerhouse Museum, 85/1284-1337

Expedition to establish first Meteorological Observatory Kosciuszko, 1897

February 11, 2013

There are numerous ways in which information is added to our collection. One of the most obvious is a result of the work done by staff to update our records but another important source of information comes as a result of the continual enquiries and suggestions from the general public.

Happy Lunar New Year, Year of the Snake

February 10, 2013

The Lunar New Year is the most significant annual celebration for Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. Today (10th of February 2013) is the Lunar New Year better known as Chinese New Year, and begins 'The Year of Black Snake'.

A9113 Pot, salt-glazed [stoneware], Janet Mansfield, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1

In memory of Janet Mansfield, OAM, (1934 – 2013) Australian potter, author and publisher

February 8, 2013

Janet Mansfield, who passed away on 4th February 2013, had a major impact on Australian and international ceramics. Born in 1934 Janet trained in ceramics at the National Art School, East Sydney, in 1964, '65, and exhibited widely in Australia and overseas.

Demolishing Darling Harbour

February 6, 2013

You might have read recently in the Sydney Morning Herald about the planned demolition of Sydney Convention Centre at Darling Harbour. The Centre’s architect John Andrews is not surprisingly unimpressed that another of his Australian designs is under threat after a mere 25 years of use.

Farewell to curator, Christina Sumner, OAM

February 4, 2013

On the eve of of Christina Sumner's departure we asked her a few questions about her experiences at the Museum over the last 28 years. What have you enjoyed the most about working in the Museum? Always always always it's been the people and the collection.

“Sometimes, when we reach for the stars, we fall short…”

February 1, 2013

The end of January and beginning of February is always tinged with sadness for those interested in space flight, for it is within this period that the anniversaries occur of the three US space disasters that resulted in the loss of astronaut lives.

Hume Costume Collection – Boorowa Museum. A report from the Powerhouse Museums Movable Heritage Fellow for 2012

January 29, 2013

Each year the Powerhouse Museum’s Regional Services Program offers a Movable Heritage Fellowship to students residing in New South Wales enrolled at any University campus. Movable Heritage refers to any natural or manufactured object of heritage significance.

The CFM Shadow ultralight aircraft, 'Dalgety Flyer' flying from England to Australia in 1988. Photo courtesy of Brian Milton.

Revisiting the 1988 ultralight flight from England to Australia

January 28, 2013

Imagine flying from England to Australia in a tiny ultralight aircraft with a cockpit not as big as a coffin and a flying speed of 90 kph. Well Brian Milton did just that as part of Australia's bicentenary celebrations.

In memory of Keith Hensel, Australian product designer

January 25, 2013

Keith Hensel was principal designer at Breville, and previously a designer with Sunbeam and Nielsen Design Associates. For more than 20 years he had been involved in designing household products from lighting to kettles, toasters to toothbrushes.

Portrait of Sir Henry Parkes, Sydney, Australia, 1880-1896, Powerhouse Museum, 85/1286-481

Henry Parkes, Father of Australian Federation

January 23, 2013

Sir Henry Parkes was one of Australia's more significant politicians and journalists and the Museum's collection of objects relating to him is a varied one. It includes objects representative of his years as a manufacturer of domesticware, toys and turned wood and ivory articles.

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