Symposium on
Scientific Mathematical Instruments
3rd - 5th November 2025 | Arithmeum, Bonn, Germany
Announcing a New Series of Symposia
The director of the Arithmeum in Bonn, Professor Dr. Ina Prinz and the director of the Museo Galileo in Florence, Dr. Roberto Ferrari, are pleased to announce a new series of symposia on scientific mathematical instruments. You are cordially invited to the inaugural symposium at the Arithmeum in Bonn, Germany, from the 3rd to 5th of November 2025.
Two years ago, the founder of the Arithmeum, Professor Dr. Bernhard Korte, raised the idea of an exhibition opening at the Arithmeum. On that occasion, directors and curators of the Museo Galileo, the Deutsches Museum in Munich, the Mathematical-Physical Salon in Dresden and the Astronomical-Physical Cabinet in Kassel met and mentioned that it would be highly desirable to bring together the directors and curators of the important international museums for historical scientific and mathematical instruments and machines at regular intervals every four years for a symposium.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Korte. We miss him deeply. We are all the more committed to realizing his vision of a symposium as a platform for professional exchange between museums dedicated to historical mathematical and scientific instruments. We aim to establish a forum that is unprecedented in its form, which will set standards and guide the future of this specialized field.
Symposium Focus
In the first symposium of this promising series, we want to focus on exhibits that set museums apart from all other media: objects as cultural and historical originals, visual and teaching aids, exhibits, research objects, unique heritage and amazing treasures.
Call for Invited Participants
You are cordially invited to visit us together with your director / curator on November 3rd at the Arithmeum and present one specific object, either in its original form or using a different approach. This object should either:
- Not have been exhibited recently,
- Have been restored in a specific manner, or
- Is especially unique to your museum.
The topic of your talk, including the title and a short abstract, should be announced to us by end of September to prepare the detailed program.
Important Information
- Date: Mon, Nov 3 (10 a.m.) to Wed, Nov 5 (5 p.m.), 2025
- Venue: Arithmeum, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Lennéstr. 2, 53113 Bonn Germany.
- Confirm Attendance By: September 15th
- Topic Submission By: September 30th
Please confirm your attendance and let us know your topic by writing to workshop-arithmeum@dm.uni-bonn.de. We may assist you in making reservations at a hotel for your stay.
Program Highlights
In addition to the presentations of all participants, we will present the Arithmeum and its exhibitions to you more in detail and hope to engage in discussions on the future of these special collections in our museums.The exact dates of the presentations are to be announced.
On November 3, the birthday of Professor Korte, we will cordially invite you to a welcome reception together with the world's leading professors of discrete mathematics at the Arithmeum and afterwards invite you to a joint dinner. On November 5, an academic memorial session will be held to honor Professor Korte’s lifelong dedication to mathematics and all facets of its history.
Hosted & Invited By
