Erasmus Darwin House will be welcoming a new speaker this month, Dr Nicholas Cambridge, to help celebrate National Science & Engineering Week.
This illustrated talk, entitled Sparks, Shocks & Magnets: Benjamin Franklin, Erasmus Darwin & Franz Mesmer, will trace the knowledge and understanding of electricity from the ancients up until the early 19C and include the various people who were involved in attempting to unravel its mysterious effects. During the 18C electricity was a popular combination of amateur science and parlour magic. It was also a time when electricity was used in treating patients and these practitioners included Benjamin Franklin, John Wesley, William Cowper, Erasmus Darwin and Franz Mesmer.
National Science and Engineering Week is an annual event held in March. This year it is between the dates 11th-20th and brings an opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in science, engineering and technology activities. For more information go to www.nsew.org.uk.
The talk will start at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th March and will include refreshments. Tickets are available from Erasmus Darwin House reception or by calling 01543 306260.
