Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt spoke at the Science Museum in London about why science matters. “Science illuminates the world and gives us the building blocks to transform our lives. The fundamental advances in human industry – from building ships to building genomes, from spinning jennies to spinning quarks – have a foundation in science”
Expanding on why he had chosen to make his follow up to last year’s MacTaggart Lecture at the Science Museum in London, Schmidt believes that “Museums do more than entertain and teach, they also open peoples eyes to career opportunities. The Museum we’re in today is a great illustration… It is a place to cherish, but more importantly a place to inspire”
“This is a remarkable venue, and I say that as someone who has visited a lot of museums”
“It is full of memories of so many inventions – indeed, so many British inventions…Today nearly 3 million people pass through its doors each year, two-thirds in groups with children.”
When it comes to computer literacy, he listed a range of initiatives that have emerged since his MacTaggart lecture, including a report produced by NESTA and the Science Museum on the remarkable legacy of the BBC Micro project’s legacy and lessons for today.
Mr Schmidt touched on two projects opening at the Science Museum which Google are supporting. The first is a new biographical exhibition about Alan Turing’s life and legacy opening on June 20th. The exhibition brings together the most extensive collection of Turing artefacts assembled under one roof, including machines he devised and devices that influenced him and his colleagues. “This will be a fitting tribute to one of computings founding fathers” said Schmidt
The second project is the development of a new exhibition about modern communications. The Gallery opens in 2014 and brings to life moments when the world changed dramatically through the invention of technologies such as the laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable; the creation of the first digital electronic computer; the development of mobile communications and the advent of the World Wide Web.
Ian Blatchford said after the speech: “We are delighted that Eric Schmidt decided to make his speech at the Science Museum as it signifies the Museums important role in stimulating public debate around science, innovation and technological change.” – www.sciencemuseum.org.uk