News
Visit from National Museums Scotland
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Assistant Curator for the Department of Technology, Katarina Grant visits Smith & McLaurin Ltd.
We were pleasantly surprised to be contacted by Katarina Grant, the Assistant Curator of Technology from the Department of Science & Technology at the National Museums Scotland in early April, as part of the Museum’s drive to expand is materials collection. 
She highlighted the fact that the Museum was particularly looking to collect significant examples of synthetic polymers such as materials/products which have been produced and/or used in Scotland (post-1960). These could also include raw chemical samples or materials produced in/for Scotland, or could include tools (subject to size) used in the manufacture of products made from synthetic polymers. As a self-adhesive laminator that has been in existence for 160 years she felt that we could help regarding future collaborations and potential donations of any samples of such material to the Museum.
National Museums Scotland is home to internationally acclaimed collection in the areas of geology, archaeology, natural history, science, technology and art. It began as the Industrial Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street, founded in 1854, and was inspired by the widespread public interest of the period in the industrial achievements of the 19th century. Its first director was Professor George Wilson (1818-1859), Chair in Technology at the University of Edinburgh, who laid the foundations of the collections. These collections were intended to show the industries of the world to Scotland by drawing on sources at home and abroad. 
It aims to preserve, care for and add to its collections and to ensure that the collections are interpreted and made publicly available through research, exhibitions and education. The material collection is one of the strongest collections of its kind in Europe, alongside with collections at Vienna and Warsaw. It includes a great variety of different types of objects and materials, including samples relating to the mining and mineral processing (including coal and shale mining, shale distillation, iron mining and iron and steel production) industry and chemicals, consisting of around 1500 items and including raw materials and part-manufactured samples. There are also manufactured objects that illustrate the use of specific materials in production. Some of the pieces from the collection are currently displayed in the Art & Industry Since 1850 Gallery. 
Ms. Grant spent the day on our premises and was given a site tour for her to see first-hand our unique manufacturing processes and our excellent machines. Given that our machinery would be too large to exhibit we felt that by collaborating with our customers, we could put together an exhibit that would take visitors through the actual process of converting our white material into an eye-catching, functional yet artistic label. Based on this if you would like to make a contribution or have any ideas on how to create an effective exhibit, please contact Aparna Chopde on +44 (0) 1505 707718 or by emailing marketing@smcl.co.uk.
Posted on 06 July, 2009
