Twentieth century books

This is a collection of approximately 75,000 popular, technical and academic books on all branches of science, technology and industry. Medicine and scientific exploration are also well represented. The collection is a rich resource of primary material for the study of the first 85 years of the twentieth century, including revolutions in physics such as the rise of relativity theory and quantum physics and in transport such as the development of aeroplanes and motorised transport.  Books are mostly in English but there are French, German, Italian and other languages represented.    

Catalogues: most of the collection is catalogued on cards, although all the astronomy, physics, chemistry, transport, printing titles do have computer catalogue entries. Please email smlinfo@sciencemuseum.org.uk if you need staff to check the card catalogue. A computerisation programme is currently underway to convert more card records so you can access them directly on the web. 

Most of the works in this collection are still on copyright so we are unable to show you images from most of these works.

Items from early twentieth century include

• Eiffel, Gustave. La tour de trois cents mètres : planches (Paris, 1900)
• Marks, Isobel. Fancy cycling : trick riding for amateurs (London, 1901)
• Richardson, Alexander. Vickers Sons and Maxim, Limited : their works and manufactures ... (London, 1902)
• Knight Frank & Rutley. The Crystal Palace, Sydenham : to be sold by auction ... on Tuesday 28th day of November 1911 … (London , 1911)
• The White Star triple-screw Atlantic liners 'Olympic' and 'Titanic', 45,000 tons : the largest steamships in the world (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1911)