Paper Computers: Five Centuries of Volvelles at the Special Collections Research Center
- When
- Wednesday, November 11, 20263:30 PM – 5:00 PM ESTAdd to calendarGoogle Calendar
- Where
- Bird Library Antje Bultmann Lemke Seminar Room, 6th Floor222 Waverly Ave, Syracuse, NY 13244Open in Maps
- Hosted by
- Special Collections Research Center
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About
Join us for a pop-up exhibition of a selection of volvelles from the Special Collections Research Center's holdings. Derived from the Latin volvere, meaning “to turn,” volvelles are interactive devices constructed from rotating layered discs of paper, parchment or wood. Functioning as early computers, they were historically used to perform complex astronomical calculations, learn languages, analyze mechanical movements and more.
The pop-up exhibition showcases five centuries of volvelles in SCRC's collections ranging from early modern astronomical works by Sacrobosco and Petrus Apianus to commercial calculating devices, historic hornbooks, and contemporary artists' books. Visitors will have a chance to directly engage with the items on display and create their own volvelles.
The event is free and open to the public.
Image Caption:
Left: Adirondack Sutra by Mark McMurray, Canton, N.Y., 2013, Rare Book and Printed Materials Collection, SCRC
Right: Cosmographia by Peter Apian, Antwerp, 1574, Rare Book and Printed Materials Collection, SCRC