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Science in National Cultures: The Message of Postage Stamps

4 Leighton Avenue, Meols, Wirral, Merseyside CH47 0LZ, UKrajmeols{at}aol.com

Scientists in Britain believe that their work does not receive the recognition that it deserves from the national culture in comparison with continental Europe. Not an easy proposition to test, but possible through a comparison of how the achievements of science have been celebrated through representation on stamps. Postage stamps are official government products, and they are used to transmit and define the official view of the national culture. In this paper I give three examples of the sorts of comparisons that can be made. First, a geographical comparision (Britain, West Germany and France) during the period 1951–1990. Second, a consideration of how the different scientific disciplines have been treated in the three countries. Third, an analysis of the effect of the political system on the way that science is celebrated by comparing the stamps of West and East Germany.

Public Understanding of Science, Vol. 13, No. 1, 75-81 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0963662504042692


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