Museum of Science, TUS

Museum of Science, TUS has the best collection of calculators in Japan. The regular exhibition presents precious documents of Science development from Tokyo Academy of Physics (the predecessor of Tokyo University of Science). Also, you may learn from seasonal exhibitions which have a unique point of view.

Let’s start with the exhibition of calculator’s history. There are calculating rods from the Edo period made of wood like bamboo, manual and mechanical calculators, a big practical differential analyzer, electronic calculator and computer. They exhibit a big collection of calculators in line with its development.

At the electronic calculator exhibition, you can see dramatic development of it from desk top to card type.

A highlight is the practical differential analyzer built by Bush. The analyzer was created by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1931, and the machine exhibited here was built by Osaka University using the principle around 1944, and transferred to Tokyo University of Science.

The large machine about size of 4.8㎡ is the practical differential analyzer built by Bush.

At the moment, the machine was restored in its original form as part of “the turnaround project of differential analyzer.” Also, they have a demonstration of this machine every week (on Thursdays and Saturdays at 14:30).

One of the highlights is “Yai Dry Battery.” It is 15cm high, 10cm wide and 5.5cm deep, smaller than you imagine.

On the 2nd floor, the world first dry battery “Yai Dry Battery” is exhibited. It was invented about 1887 by Sakizou Yai who studied at UTS. With the most advanced CT scanning, it was confirmed that the battery is charged.

The made in Japan computer in the early days with parametron. It was installed in TUS in 1960.

Please pay attention to seasonal exhibitions produced twice a year at Museum of Science. They have held exhibitions like “Japanese Female Scientists” exhibition celebrating 10th year anniversary of the Madonna of Science project, and “Science magazine: an effort of introducing science” celebrating 30th year anniversary of publishing “TUS Science Forum” by TUS. The seasonal exhibitions’ contents are unique. This year 2018, there is a plan of exhibition focusing on early Japanese computer using parametron from October 28th.

Exhibition of reproducing annular solar eclipse.

TUS students will guide you through the Museum.

People both familiar and unfamiliar with science can enjoy leaning at the museum. So, please visit.

Memorable computers and game machines are exhibited.

Another center of the regular exhibition is “History of audio recording devices” which shows the development from a phonograph and record to digital recording.

Sep 2018　Text: Ryoko Kuraishi　Photo: Yasuo Yamaguchi