The Science History Institute Museum is closed for renovations.
The Othmer Library remains open by appointment.

Join our museum’s Gallery Guides for a “drop-in” tour highlighting the remarkable scientific properties of natural dyes and textiles, the technology behind synthetic clothing, and the impact of fashion on human health and the environment. 

Have you ever thought about the science behind the contents of your closet? The technology that produces our modern clothing is the result of an unlikely collaboration between prehistoric humans, an 18-year-old chemist in Victorian London, and a Harvard professor employed by DuPont on the eve of World War II.  

Our Dyes & Textiles Tour bridges content from our new BOLD exhibition and our permanent exhibition, offering a broad picture of the scientific developments that shifted clothing production from the home to the factory to the laboratory. 


Drop-in tours are free and no reservations are necessary.

More events

abstraction of textile raw materials
March 10, 2025
Science on Tap

Who Grows Your Clothes?

The cofounders of PA Fibershed explore the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry.

Illustration on bright green background with figures on cards representing vegetable farmers
March 13, 2025
Joseph Priestley Society

Functional Food and Drink: What’s for Lunch in the Global Cafeteria?

This virtual panel will discuss what functional food means in the U.S. and other countries and how chemistry helps deliver protein, carbohydrates, fat, and flavor.

Book cover image for "Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America"
March 19, 2025
Programs, Lectures & Talks

Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America

Professor and author Beth Linker reveals the surprising origins of our concerns over poor posture.

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