GALILEO GALILEI FOUNDATION
The Galileo Galilei Foundation promotes the dissemination of scientific and technological culture, manages the Museum of Computing Instruments of the University of Pisa, preserves and enhances their collection of scientific instruments.
The Foundation also boasts an impressive collection of machines that are entered in the history of physics, such as Pacinotti prototypes, and in the history of computer science and technology, such as the CEP (Calcolatrice Elettronica Pisana – Pisan Electronic Calculator) one of the first computers designed and build in Italy in the late Fifties.
MUSEUM OF COMPUTING INSTRUMENTS
A fascinating journey through the history of science, the Museum of Computing Instruments is unique in Italy.
Part of the Museums of the University of Pisa, located in a park just a few steps from the Leaning Tower, the Museum is open to the public and actively promotes the dissemination of computer science, history of physics and technology. The Museum offers exhibitions, guided tours, conferences and school workshops. Every activity is designed to involve visitors in a learning process through direct and exciting experiences. The Museum collaborates in many educational projects with schools, universities and other institutions.
The rich collections of the Museum include rare pieces and emblematic examples: a complete overview of the milestones that have marked the history of computer science and technology - from early mechanical tools up to modern supercomputers.
Unique in Italy, the Museum exhibits many prototypes of scientific instruments from XVII century until today (about mechanical, astronomy, electromagnetism, time measurement, optical, acoustic).
The Museum exhibits also operational rebuilds of the very first Italian digital computer: the 1957 Macchina Ridotta. Available as virtual simulators and as hardware replicas of components, the rebuilds offer to visitors and students the fascinating opportunity to see alive an old computer.
ACTIVITIES
The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the diffusion of scientific culture towards an increasingly wider public. Involved in several projects in collaboration with the University of Pisa and other organizations, the Foundation carries on his activities at local and national level.