Inside the Collection

Category: Collection stories

Seven white busts and two statues of composers and writers. Made from Parian porcelain in the 1800s . Collected and donated to the Museum by Thomas Lennard in 1921.

Busted

January 25, 2019

Anni Turnbull
The Museum has a wonderful collection of busts in the areas of science, fashion and art. From the slightly disconcerting 19th century French paper-mache anatomical models used to explore and demonstrate the workings of the human body to the fabulously formed torso of Chesty Bonds advertising Bonds singlets.
The museum interns stand beside a large yellow ball on a high tower. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is in the background.

Collecting in health and medicine: A curatorial intern experience

January 16, 2019

Meg O'Donnell
As a third year university student studying an arts degree, the same inevitable and dreaded question often arises in daily conversations; “oh, so what kind of job are you hoping to get with that degree?” My answer has always been that I would like to work as a curator or conservator in museums and art galleries, as I enjoy uncovering the history of objects and understanding what they can tell us about the past.
A staged colour photograph taken in the 1970s for advertising featuring seven young men wearing board shorts. The man in the centre is holding a young woman with blond hair and wearing a bikini.

Remembering Australian summer holidays

January 2, 2019

Margaret Simpson
The beach has always been the ultimate destination for summer holidays whether it was just a few kilometres away or a long car trip. Back in the 1960s cars weren't as reliable as today. Even for a relatively short drive you'd stop off at the service station to have the oil, water and tyres checked and to pick up maps.
The two Barbie dolls' costumes consist of a pink 'Rockers' T-shirt, one doll has a pink mini-skirt and tan leggings; the other has a pink jacket and pants ensemble. The styling is indicative of the mid 1980s. The Ken doll's costume is a silver long jacket and pants ensemble with a silver 'Rockers' T-shirt, and silver shoes.

Toys and games from the 1980s

December 26, 2018

Margaret Simpson
Was your childhood spent in the 1980s? Then the names Puggle, He Man, Fabuland, Battle Cat and Teddy Ruxpin will ring a few bells this Christmas. Fantasy toys were an element of the 1980s. The super-hero toys He-Man and his and his faithful steed, Battle Cat, were media merchandising from the Masters of the Universe (MOTU) film, cartoon and comic series.
Chinese folding fan open on a grey background. The blades are intricately carved ivory and the painted paper surface (leaves) portrays a busy landscape, depicting what looks like a historic scene with many small brightly coloured figures.]

Reflections of Asia: Behind the Scenes with Conservation

December 11, 2018

Conservation
The Conservation department plays a crucial role in the preparation of the Museum's exhibitions. From the early stages of the exhibition development Conservators work closely with other members of the exhibition team, especially Curators, Designers and Registrars.
Photograph of a very small country school built of weatherboards with a verandah at the front and concrete area at the side for assemblies.

Remembering School Projectors and Filmstrips

November 14, 2018

Margaret Simpson
Hands up if you remember those old black and white strip films shown in Social Studies lessons at school? The 'blind monitor' would pull down the tall window blinds darkening the classroom, and a screen, usually in front of the blackboard, would be brought down.

Donating to the MAAS collection

October 24, 2018

Tilly Boleyn
Ever wondered how to donate to a museum? Curator Tilly Boleyn reveals what to consider before you get in touch. Spring is a busy time. Flowers are blooming, lambs are frolicking and people are clearing out their sheds thinking, “I wonder if I should donate this to a museum?”.
Kimberley Bezuidenhout at the entrance to the 'Interface: people, machines, design' exhibition

What’s this doing in a museum?

September 26, 2018

Kimberley Bezuidenhout
Week 11 as an intern at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. No sign of life in the objects. Starting to think that basing my expectations on ‘Night at the Museum’ was unrealistic. Although, I have only been here during the day, so I won’t write that off just yet.
Presenter Dr Graeme Phillips explains the finer points of time travel.

How to build a time machine

September 5, 2018

Sarah Reeves
Back in January, the Catalyst team from the ABC approached us about using some of the Museum's clocks in an upcoming episode of their show. They were producing an episode entitled ‘How To Build A Time Machine', which would delve into the nature of time, whether time travel could ever become a reality, and what rules you'd want to follow if you did indeed find yourself in possession of a working time machine.
A steam engine with a large flywheel on display in the Powerhouse Museum

Industrial Revolution in Australia – impact on manufacturing in the 1800s

August 29, 2018

Margaret Simpson
When we think of the Industrial Revolution in Britain with its steam engines powering machines, the mass production of goods, thousands of poor farming families leaving the countryside to work in 'satanic' mills and factories and the rise of the wealthy middle class, it's hard to see how this could be applied to Australia.
Colour printed photographic postcard depicting a river scene in Cairo, Egypt, in the early years of the 20th century.

An ANZAC Postcard: From Cairo, on the banks of the Nile, 1915

April 25, 2018

Kathy Hackett
This colour printed photographic postcard shows a river scene in Cairo in the early years of the 20th century. It is one of 33 postcards sent from Frederick E Boddington and his brother George K Boddington during their years of service in World War I.