Edison Phonograph
The phonograph was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison. While other inventors had produced devices that could record sounds, Edison's phonograph was the first to be able to reproduce the recorded sound.
The phonograph was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison. While other inventors had produced devices that could record sounds, Edison's phonograph was the first to be able to reproduce the recorded sound.
Up until the 20th century steam power was the main source of energy for the railways. Set in motion, the kkStB 1.20 illustrates how this key technology works. The design of the 1.20 built in 1883 is typical of the late 19th century. This particular design remained in production for over 30 years.
The instant camera by Polaroid quickly and automatically develops the pictures taken with it. The packfilm for the camera consists of layers of photo paper and the chemicals required for the development process.
Who invented the car? Don't worry, the tiresome question of paternity is not about to be readdressed. If Siegfried Marcus had really wanted to invent the car, it would certainly have turned out more elegantly. Elegance is the trademark of inventions by Siegfried Marcus.
As one of the oldest museums of its kind, the Technisches Museum Wien looks back on more than 100 years of history.
On 20 June 1909 Emperor Franz Joseph laid the foundation stone for the Technisches Museum Wien as we know it today. In 2009 the Museum celebrated the centenary of that splendid day while looking back at the ten-year anniversary of the Museum’s re-opening following its refurbishment and redesign in the 1990s.
There are several ways to find out more about our history.
If you are particularly interested in our collections, use our epoch timeline to find choice exhibits from our stocks from many different decades. Lots of browsing fun in store!
To mark the anniversary of one of the world’s oldest museums of technology, Verlag Carl Ueberreuter published an extensive volume on the Museum’s history. It features an in-depth look at the history of the institution, from the scientific predecessor collections through to the present.