New mathematics gallery opens at Science Museum

A new mathematics gallery designed by Zaha Hadid Architects has opened at the Science Museum in London.

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery brings together over 100 items from the Science Museum’s science, technology and mathematics collections to highlight the central role of mathematical practice in our lives and how it has shaped and been shaped by some of the most fundamental human concerns, such as trade, travel, war and beauty.

The gallery also explores how mathematicians, their tools and ideas have helped to build the modern world over the past four centuries.

Curator Dr David Ronney commented: “At its heart this gallery reveals a rich cultural story of human endeavour that has helped transform the world over the last four hundred years. Mathematical practice underpins so many aspects of our lives and work, and we hope that bringing together these remarkable stories, people and exhibits will inspire visitors to think about the role of mathematics in a new light.”

Centrepiece

The gallery’s centrepiece is the Handley ‘Gugnunc’ aeroplane – built in 1929 for a competition to construct safe aircraft – which helps to illustrate how mathematical practice has helped to solve real-world problems. The aerodynamic research which influenced the design of the wing on this experimental aeroplane is said to have helped to secure the future of the aviation industry and shift public opinion about the safety of flying.

Zaha Hadid Architects

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery is the first Zaha Hadid Architects gallery to open since Dame Zaha Hadid’s death in March this year.

With a strong interest in geometry and mathematics, Hadid examined the connection between maths and architecture throughout each of her projects.

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery is free for groups to visit.

For more information visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk.

Photo credit: Jody Kingzett.