|
Peale's Baltimore Museum and Gallery of Fine
Arts
(13 Jun 1816)
When Rembrandt Peale opened
a
museum of portraits and natural exhibits (similar to his father's
Philadelphia museum) he installed gaslights to
help attract paying visitors.
|
“
Gas Lights - Without Oil, Tallow, Wicks or Smoke. It is not necessary
to invite attention to the gas lights by which my salon of paintings is
now illuminated; those who have seen the ring beset with gems of light
are sufficiently disposed to spread their reputation; the purpose of
this notice is merely to say that the Museum will be illuminated every
evening until the public curiosity be gratified.
”
— Peale's Baltimore Museum and Gallery of Fine Arts
advertisement for its gas lights in American and Commercial
Daily Advertiser,
13 Jun 1816
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) --