Taking the public sphere seriously: A plea for appropriate history

This article looks at the relationship between historical treatments in science museums and the academic history of science. It argues that the wide audience of museums means that they need to take a distinctive approach to their narratives, engaging with the feelings about science brought by the visitor as well as the insights of academic historians. Reviewing the experiences of several exhibitions published in recent years, the article highlights the difficulty of balancing truth-telling with the assumptions and concerns brought by the public. It proposes a solution drawing upon the awe and fear inspired by the power of science, the senses of trust and distrust in the institutions of science, and the mixed attitudes of belief and disbelief towards scientific findings.