I got lucky and the Mathematisch-Physikalische Salon at the Zwinger just reopened yesterday after a year+ of renovations. To celebrate they had evening hours and free admission!
Nothing like looking at old watches, telescopes and astrolobes to rest the legs. The number of devices required merely to measure distances in the 1770s makes the two GPS-enabled devices I’m carrying (Garmin + mobile phone) seem like an absurd extravagance.
And, yes, that is a watch inside a silver skull. The old philosophers were badass.
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- This is the most fascinating clock I have ever seen–a mechanical machine which can track the positions of all the planets including Saturn’s ~30 year orbit!
