ArtesMechanicae

Giovanni Bianchini is a researcher at the Institute of applied Physics “Nello Carrara” of the National Council of Research where he carries out experimental activities in the field of optical instruments and dispositive: in particular in the field of  FTS Fourier Transformation spectrometers. In this field, apart from the development and the characterization of the instrumentation via laboratory measurements, he has also taken part in numerous measurement campaigns in which the abovementioned instrumentation was installed and operated with the aim of characterizing the chemical and radiation properties of the Earth’s atmosphere. These campaigns were carried out in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, at high altitudes and in tropical regions. In addition to his main work, He carries out the work of in fields of optical research such as high precision laser spectroscopy, laser interferometry for metrological applications and the development of laser sources.
In 2002 he collaborated with the Leonardo da Vinci Museum as a consultant and for a research convention between CNR and the Vinci Town Council, as referent for the problems concerning Physics (Optics, Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics etc )

Fanny Kieffer Fanny Kieffer is a Historian of Art, Philosophy and Renaissance literature. She deals with Italian Renaissance Art, history of the collections, history of the artistic, literary and scientific  institutions and history of science in France and in Italy from the 15^th Century to the 18^th Century. She has taught History of Art at the François Rabelais University of Tours, and has carried out research for the commissions of various European institutions such as La Sapienza University in Rome, the Cini Foundation of Venice and the Warburg Institute in London.
She has also organized exhibitions and events in the field of formation. She has worked as a translator and interpreter.
Over the years she has worked on an important body of research concerning the complex of the “botteghe” of the Uffizi Gallery in the Florence of the 16^th Century. It was published as her thesis for her PhD.

Gianni Micheli Gianni Micheli was professor of History of Science at L’Università degli studi in Milan from 1969 to 2008, first as Lecturer and then as Associate Professor and finally as Professor. He has carried out research on the origins of Modern Science, with studies dedicated to the works of Descartes and Galileo. He has also carried out research on the Italian scientific tradition, on the relationship between Philosophy and Science, on Ancient Mechanics with studies dedicated in particular to  the concept of the machine, and single machines such as automata and augers.
He edited the volume of the History of Italy Einaudi, Annals III (Turin 1980) on the development of Science in Italy from the Renaissance to the present.
He has published The Origin of the concept of the machine, Olschki (Florence 1995).

Giorgio Strano Giorgio Strano is the curator of the collections at the Institute and Museum of the History of Science in Florence. He carries out research and divulgation in the field of History of Astronomy.
He has published several articles in specialized Italian and foreign journals: Nuncius, L’Astronomie, Hacta Historica Astronomiae, La Nuova Informazione Bibliografica, Automata, Giornale diAstronomia, Sterne und Weltraum.
He has collaborated on exhibitions on the history of science and astronomy: Scientists at court (2001), One thousand years of Science in Italy (2001), the Myth of Europe (2002), Vitrum (2004), macchina Mundi (2004), The relativity of Galileo and Einstein (2005), Galileo’s telescope (2008-2009). He is the general editor of the collana Scientific Instruments and Collections, edited by Brill.