Working blackboard of Stephen Hawking's office
- Made:
- 1999-2002
A green blackboard with chalks and wipes.
Blackboards on which people write by hand with chalk continue to be among the central tools of theoretical physicists in the 21st century. They are the central 'technology' for collective work done in-person, and many aspects of mathematical physics are only effectively conveyed writing on a chalkboard with continuous feedback and intervention from all participants.
Beyond a communication tool, in Stephen's circles of mathematicians and theoretical physicists, blackboards also have an iconic, identity-building status, and for example many public spaces of Hawking's Centre for Mathematical Sciences include blackboards available for casual use; in addition to the ones inside his office, several blackboards line the corridors leading to Stephen's office, and the department's common room, where daily tea-times are held, has black walls meant to be written on with chalk.
Details
- Category:
- Stephen Hawking Office
- Collection:
- Stephen Hawking’s Office
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/665
- Materials:
- wood (unidentified), metal (unknown), chalk, paper (fibre product) and foam rubber
- type:
- blackboard
- credit:
- Accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by H M Government from the Estate of Stephen Hawking and allocated to the Science Museum, 2021