Project description
How Helmholtz instruments influenced vision science
While Helmholtz’s contributions are well-documented in textual scholarship, the material dimension – specifically the usage, circulation and reception of his physical instruments – remains under-examined. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the debATeS project addresses this gap by investigating Helmholtz’s apparatuses and their impact on vision science during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By analysing ‘failed instruments’ and their various modes of obsolescence, the project will establish a framework for understanding instrumental failure beyond purely technical limitations. Ultimately, merging textual and material studies will produce a typology of failure valuable to both the history of science and museum curation, advancing Europe’s objectives for cultural heritage and knowledge inclusion.
Objective
The debATeS project investigates the role of Helmholtz’s scientific instruments in shaping vision science in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While Helmholtz’s contributions have been widely examined through textual sources, the material dimension, particularly the use, circulation, and reception of the instruments he devised, remains underexplored. debATeS pursues two core R&I objectives. First, it will provide a systematic study of the use, refinement, and reception of Helmholtz’s instruments across European and American laboratories. Second, it will develop a categorization of “failed instruments.” Beyond technical issues, the project will analyze different forms of failure in both influential and lesser-known devices. The broader aim is twofold: to develop a conceptual framework for classifying instrumental failure, which is currently lacking yet central to debates in material culture, and to demonstrate how failed instruments yield new insights into scientific practice and the evolution of disciplines. By combining textual and philosophical analysis with material studies and experimental replication, debATeS will produce an innovative and transferable typology of failed instruments, with relevance for the history and philosophy of science as well as for museum practices. Results will be disseminated through publications, conferences, webinars, and a final workshop. Outreach will include the production of videos, a temporary exhibition, and educational activities. Through its interdisciplinary methodology, innovation, and strong public engagement, debATeS will contribute to Horizon Europe priorities by strengthening cultural heritage and highlighting the pivotal role of material culture in expanding knowledge and inclusion. The project comprises an outgoing phase at Indiana University Bloomington, United States, under the supervision of Prof J. Schickore, and a return phase at the University of Catania, Italy, under the supervision of Prof L. Ingaliso.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
95131 Catania
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.