CSIC Scientists Dive into the OEPM Historical Archive to Uncover Our Past The Historical Archive of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) is one of the most important archival centers in our country, as it preserves the original documents that shed light on the evolution of Spanish science, technology, and creativity since the early 19th century. Recently, researchers from the Institute of Heritage Sciences (INCIPIT), part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), visited the OEPM Historical Archive to explore the collection’s research potential from the perspective of its materials. It is no surprise that Spain’s most prestigious scientific institution has taken an interest in the OEPM Historical Archive, as it houses documents of great significance to the history of science, such as patents registered by some of the most illustrious geniuses of Spanish invention, including Isaac Peral and Leonardo Torres Quevedo. Likewise, its shelves also hold invention registration documents belonging to some of the most renowned scientists in human history, such as Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. The researchers, equipped with a portable analysis laboratory, applied a series of non-invasive techniques to study the inks, dyes, pigments, and metals in various documents. They analyzed everything from photographs on copper plates to samples of dyed silk, as well as matchboxes from 1862 and an original glove from 1845. Using advanced 2D and 3D imaging techniques, the “Museum of the Invisible” project seeks to uncover the cultural heritage hidden within manuscripts, paintings, archaeological artifacts, and even landscapes of the past. Each recovered fragment reveals lost stories, allowing us to rediscover and share a legacy that time and deterioration had left forgotten in the shadows of history. More information
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