452: The History of Science in America

It's not safe to go alone down the rabbit hole of history...take your trusty LibGuide! Find out where to start, where to go next, and unexpectedly fun resources. Send up a flare if you need help by emailing [email protected].

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Start Here!

The resources in this guide are available to you regardless of your location, through access provided by the Thomas Cooper Library at the University of South Carolina.

For specific information about:

- basic scientific terminology and vocabulary, see the “What’s that mean, again?” section

- important databases, journals with primary sources, and ebooks that give you the big picture of science and American history, and how they interact, see the “But wait, there’s more!” section

- a brief list of museums around the United States with either interactive exhibits or online resources, find the “Online Field Trips” section

And remember, this guide is merely the tip of the iceberg for discovering more about the history of science in America!

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Online Field Trips

* The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago: The largest science museum in the Western hemisphere!   https://www.msichicago.org/

* The Biodiversity Heritage Library (Courtesy of The Smithsonian Institute):  https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/

* The National Geographic Magazine Archive: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/ 

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But Wait, There’s More!

Below are important databases, ebooks, and resources that provide a more in-depth look into the history of science, the history of America, and how they fit together and in the overall picture. This list is by no means exhaustive, but plumb these beauties to your heart’s content!

- A Little History of Science (ebook): An illustrated and approachable refresher on how science arrived at its current point. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?nobk=y&vid=1&sid=7fb0cf6b-221e-445d-9ea2-ffa185687693@sessionmgr4008&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==#AN=491056&db=nlebk 

- Historical Statistics of the United States (database): A collection of quantifiable data and resources covering American history.  https://hsus-cambridge-org.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/HSUSWeb/HSUSEntryServlet

- ACLS Humanities E-Book Online Collection (database): Includes women in science, history of science, and a plethora of resources, ALL with full-text access. http://www.humanitiesebook.org.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/ 

- American National Biography (database): Learn more about the individual people who shaped the path of science in America (amongst others). http://www.anb.org.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/

- Web of Science (database): Refine your search using the tools of this database to focus on subject areas within history and the other humanities. http://apps.webofknowledge.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/WOS_GeneralSearch_input.do?product=WOS&search_mode=GeneralSearch&SID=5Bg627xQ6y43wfHDli6&preferencesSaved= 

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What’s That Mean, Again?

Use these dictionaries and encyclopedias to help decipher that scientific lingo and historical data!

* Dictionary of the History of Science: (http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=dc31d309-6752-441b-afe5-0877fa1f415b%40sessionmgr120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=791925&db=nlebk)

* Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics:(http://go.galegroup.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7C9780028659916&v=2.1&u=colu68650&it=etoc&p=GVRL&sw=w&authCount=1 )

* The Penguin Dictionary of Science: (https://search-credoreference-com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/content/title/penguinscience?tab=contents )

* The Illustrated Dictionary of Science: (https://search-credoreference-com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/content/title/andidsci?tab=entries)

* Hutchinson Dictionary of American History: (https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/southcarolina/detail.action?docID=274366) 

* Dictionary of American History: (http://go.galegroup.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7C9780684314150&v=2.1&u=colu68650&it=etoc&p=GVRL&sw=w)