Successes and Failures
None of the objects in our collection are used today in the way they were created to be used. This tour will assess the strengths and flaws of our objects to determine how successful they were, and discuss their failures.
Inspired by Top Trumps, each object has been scored on three different aspects: the amount know on the object, the success of the design of the object, and today's use of our objects.
Do you agree?
Contact us below to submit your own object scores and to suggest other categories!
1- Termite Specimen
The termite specimen ranks number 1 in our online collection.
The termite specimen is a successful tool in showing university students the anatomy and eggs of a termite queen. It was particularly successful before textbooks and, more importantly, the internet, were widely accessible.
In modern times, however, with advanced video technology, 3-D images and a greater general understanding in the field of entomology, the termite specimen has failed, to some extent, in showing students and observers the full scope and function of a termite queen compared to its technological counterparts. Today, visitors can see the termite queen in the Grant Museum.
SCORE:
Amount Known: 80
Design - 75
Use Today - 35
Total - 190
2- Minitel
In second place, the Minitel!
If you asked someone twenty years ago if the Minitel was a success, the answer would be a resounding "yes". However, since the Internet overtook the Minitel in the 1990s, the brown plastic terminals have come to represent failure. The Minitel allowed the French to check the weather, their horoscopes, train timetables and exchange messages long before their English or American counterparts were using the Internet to carry out the same tasks. The Minitel may have either improved or held back the development of the Internet in France. Many of the services now available on the Internet were first trialled on the Minitel system. However, some argue that France may have been slow to adopt the Internet due to its attachment to the home-grown Minitel. Even well into the 2000s, thousands of people in France remained reluctant to give up the Minitel in favour of the Internet, including elderly people who were suspicious of computers. What was once a French technological success story is now an object of nostalgia.
SCORE:
Amount Known: 100
Design - 75
Use Today - 0
Total - 175
3- Sun Signal
Galton’s sun signal was a success in that it’s designed was never bettered. It fulfilled its job of assisting those who were exploring and documenting parts of Africa. It is also considered a success as it is has evolved its purpose and withstood change. While advances in communication mean that using signals is rarely necessary; the sun signal is now used by surveyors in surveying distances of up to 30km.
However, it could also be considered a failure of technology, because communicating using signals and mirrors has been eclipsed by electronic technology.
SCORE:
Amount Known- 70
Design - 85
Use Today - 15
Total - 170
4- Shorthand Bible
Although the publishing of these books would have certainly expanded the lifespan of Rich’s shorthand system, the niche purpose of his version of the language meant that it would never really be truly embraced by a wider audience – if you’re going to learn a shorthand system, why wouldn’t you learn one like Shelton’s that served far more useful? Likewise, shorthand has lost much of its relevance in recent years, with typing often outpacing handwriting speed. Moreover, very few people can still read shorthand, making its use to others extremely limited. Finally, research on Rich’s books has been slight to say the least, with no apparent studies by UCL involving the objects – thus, Rich’s system, while promoted by the objects in the short term, have ultimately lost relevance to both the public and researchers.
SCORE:
Amount Known: 80
Design - 25
Use Today - 5
Total - 110
5- Roman Floor Tile
The tile has survived for 2000 years, and this shows the high quality of tiles produced in Roman Britain. Today, its success is manifested through being part of the teaching collection at UCL, and is often used as part of the admissions procedure when interviewing potential students. The object however fails to tell us where exactly it came from and which materials where used in what quantities; often chalk was added to the mixture. These failures actually come from the excavation processes and lack of detailed records rather than the ancient technology. Modern technological processes have not been used to help us learn more about the object. Scientific examinations could be undertaken on the object to find out more about the materials, which could help to find the tile’s original location, and maybe even the maker.
The lack of documentation and research on this tile sadly puts it in last place.
SCORE:
Amount Known: 20
Design - 65
Use Today - 5
Total - 90