Technikatörténeti szemle 16. (1986-87)

KRÓNIKA - Szabadváry Ferenc: Technology: Necessity and Danger. The Pros and Cons in our Museums

The historical motivation of establishing and operating such museums was expressly to present progress, to familiarize it, one might even say to propagate progress. This viewpoint was dominant to an extent that scientific and technological museums totally neglected social environment and presented science and technology as if it were independent of it. Museums still exist where this approach has not changed, though — during the past 50 years — in most museums, to a greater or lesser extent, indications to the historical-social environment have appeared, endeavours are being made to demonstrate the effect of scientific and technological development on environment and its reaction on the former. Moreover, in some museums it is this interaction that is highlighted; and since museums are sensitive to public feeling and attempt to be in synchrony with it, they will feel forced to take sides. I have seen exhibitions, which — presenting the devastation of the environment and blaming exclusively technology for it — expressly suggested an attitude hostile to progress in the visitor. Is this path right? in my opinion it is opposed to the history of scientific and technological museums, to their reason for existence. We must continue to stand up definitely for progress. This will not involve concealment of all the damage caused by science and technology; but beside it, let us stress all advantages that humanity owes to them, since even the loudest opponents of science and technology could not do without these accomplishments. Let us point out that there is no way back, that the issues of environment on our planet can only be solved by responsible science, as it has already solved many of the problems. If Adam has succeeded to reach the present human level by means of science and technology, he can only continue to struggle his way up along this path, it is the only path to trust. Let us convince our visitors of this truth! SZAB AD VARY FERENC: TECHNIKA: SZÜKSÉGLET ÉS VESZÉLY. A MŰSZAKI MUZEUMOK FELADATAI A technika fejlődése szükséges. A technikai fejlődés ugyanakkor egyre több veszélyt jelent a környezetre. A világon bizonyos technikaellenes hangulat észlelhető, amely itt-ott már politikai hatással is jelentkezik. A világ műszaki múzeumai is érzik e társadalmi hatást. Bár a technikai múzeumok alapításának célkitűzése egyértelműen a technikai fejlődés propagálása volt, jelenleg egyes múzeumok inkább az ártalmakat hangsúlyozzák kiállításaikban. Szerző szerint feladatuk azonban továbbra is az, hogy a műszaki haladásért álljanak ki, bemutatva mindazokat az előnyöket, melyek a társadalomnak ebből származnak, de nem elhallgatva a veszélyeket, melyek ebből származhatnak. Ám e veszélyeket is csak a tudomány és technika segítségével lehet leküzdeni.