Here is my first draft for the panel text – let me know what you think. Also, if you have any ideas for a catchy title…
These wax models were formerly used in the study and teaching of medicine and zoology at Leeds. In many cases they show small things magnified, making the invisible visible. It has been suggested that historians of science have neglected wax models because of their limited use in scientific research. However, as much of the research within this department clearly shows, research is only one part of the story of science. Just as important is the role of teaching science and of commercial companies using science to create marketable products and it is in these narratives that wax models have something to say. Here in this display are examples from various makers, using different materials and techniques to produce their models. Each model is designed to teach or demonstrate something different. These models also tell us what was going on here at Leeds. The water beetle models for example, highlights a former specialism of the University’s prestigious but often neglected past.
