On Wednesday, 27 November 2013, Judith Gussenhoven obtained her doctorate at the University of Twente with her book 'Founding NEMO'. This doctoral research covers the history of the NEMO science museum that is celebrating its 90th anniversary on 8 December 2013.
The subject of the thesis is the history of the Dutch science museum NEMO and its predecessors Museum of Labour, NINT and newMetropolis between 1923 and 2013. This history cannot be seen separately from the development of technology and science in the Netherlands and how this was regarded by society during the past 100 years. From a firm belief in progress to post-war reconstruction and industry, to the quest for sustainability and innovation. The ninety history also gives the reader a good idea of how science and technology increasingly became to be regarded as part of the Dutch culture and how the interest in science museums rose over the years.
In his Museum of Labour, founder Herman Heijenbrock showed what had been devised by human heads and hands. As different as the world is now compared with that in the nineteen twenties, as different too is Heijenbrock's Museum of Labour from the current NEMO. And yet in essence not much has changed. Heijenbrock tried, in his own manner, to put across his enthusiasm about the developments that accompanied industrialisation to young people. And NEMO still generates enthusiasm for science and technology. This is sometimes achieved by literally exhibiting objects from our world in the museum just as Heijenbrock did in the past. More often by letting the visitors themselves experience phenomena and principles for themselves.
Judith Gussenhoven will defend her thesis at the University of Twente on 27 November. She conducted her research under the supervision of Professor J.W. Drukker, design historian. The book has been produced in a limited edition and is not available in bookstores; anyone interested can contact NEMO. NEMO is the largest science centre in the Netherlands and is intended for visitors of all ages.
