Resumen de "Laboratory hands" once more and the Polytechnic School of Lisbon (1837-1911)
Sandra Lopes, Isabel Cruz Gallardo
In two previous papers presented at the 6th International Conference on History of Chemistry, held in 2007 at Leuven, and 7th International Conference on History of Chemistry, held in 2009 at Sopron (Hungary) we brought up some facts regarding the identification of the chemistry preparers personality in some teaching institutions in Portugal, namely in the Polytechnic School of Lisbon. In those papers we also endeavoured to distinguish aspects of the professional evolution of the mentioned individuals.
In spite of being basically employed to assist the lecturer and relieve him of the so called minor preparatory tasks, necessary for the practical classes and investigation, the laboratory hand would, when needed, alternate between a mere laboratory assistant helper to practically an assistant lecturer. Yet, it is clear that there was a barrier that prevented the lecturer and the hand –each with a totally independent professional situation– from being mistaken one for the other.
New significant data provided by the intensive research done in documentation from the Polytechnic School archive, as well as in other exterior sources, related to the current CICTSUL project, “Scientists, laboratories and scientific instrumentation in the Polytechnic School of Lisbon” (later to become Faculty of Sciences), lead us to the necessity of delving deep into this issue. Therefore, the present work proposal approaches again the question of that specific professional area –the laboratory hand– and its role in the development of Chemistry teaching in Portugal, using the Polytechnic School of Lisbon as a case study. The objective is to outline more accurately the general points of evolution within the perspective of their work with the Chemistry lecturer, professor or investigator, and thus provide a better understanding of the historic process of Chemistry and its development in the educational institutions of the 19th century.
