From the Linda Hall Library Hedgehog, Number 69, 2024:

President's Message

As I embrace my first year as President, I am thrilled to introduce the 2024 edition of the Hedgehog, marking a period rich with transformation and innovation.

Linda Hall Library, with its vast collections and dedication to science and technology, invites a diverse audience of scholars, students, and the public to explore the breadth of human knowledge. Our programming, from exhibitions to lectures, is designed to inspire curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the complex world around us. In this issue, you'll get a fascinating cross-section of topics that reflect the interplay between culture and science.

Featured on the cover, Bill Ashworth's "Perspectives on the Grand Canyon: William Henry Holmes" offers a historical vista into one of nature's geological marvels, while my own piece, "From Frescoes to Field Guides: A Journey through the History of Bird Illustration," explores the evolution of avian art. These highlights exemplify our diverse approach to engaging with the natural world.

A standout feature of this issue is an in-depth look, by Jason W. Dean, Vice President of Collections and Public Services, at the recent major acquisition of Galileo's Sidereus nuncius, a seminal work that has revolutionized our understanding of the universe. This acquisition puts the Linda Hall at the worldwide center of scholarship of Galileo and Early Modern cosmology. This is complemented by another article, "The World's Fabric," on Renaissance cosmology by Finch Collins, Assistant Curator of Rare Books.

Not to be missed is the interview with NEH Fellow Roger Hart on quantum computing, which bridges the gap between contemporary science and its historical roots, illustrating the forward-thinking nature of our work.

This year's Hedgehog embodies the dynamic intersection of cultural engagement and scientific exploration. It is a testament to the diversity and depth of subjects that fascinate us and a sneak peek into the compelling world we are privileged to explore.

As we move forward, I am excited about the journey ahead and the stories we will share. Here's to a future filled with discovery, innovation, and the rich dialogue between our past and what's to come. Welcome to an exciting new chapter in the Hedgehog.

Warmly
Eric Dorfman, President

Click on the image below to access the full issue:

About the Linda Hall Library Hedgehog:

In 1992, Bruce Bradley and Bill Ashworth were tasked with finding an image to use on the Library's first postcard. They settled on the impish hedgehog that was included as a hand-colored woodcut in the Library's beautiful copy of Conrad Gessner's History of Animals (1551) because it is charming and makes people smile.

The postcard, a popular give-away, was reprinted two years later around the time that the Library decided to create the first issue of its newsletter. Because the popularity of the postcard has made the hedgehog the unofficial mascot of the Library, it was decided that the newsletter should be named for it. In ensuing years, other historic hedgehog images from the Library's History of Science Collection were allowed to rotate in as icons, but the original image from Gessner remains the standard, the Mona Lisa of the spiny mammals.