Using illustrations of the original patent drawings, van Dulken paints a vivid picture of the Victorian age, highlighting inventions from the ground-breaking, such as aspirin, dynamite and the telephone, to the everyday, like denim jeans and tiddlywinks. Dr Whitfield's book is not a polemic for or against astrology, but he shows that no debate on the subject can be meaningful without understanding its rich and controversial past. There are guided tours of the public areas of the building on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 15.00, and on Saturday at 10.30 and 15.00. Tours which include a visit to one of the Library s reading rooms take place on Tuesday at 18.30 and on Sunday at 11.30 and 15.00. Bookings can be made up to two weeks in advance and are limited to a maximum of five tickets per transaction.
All information is correct at time of writing but subject to change.