Help find CERN’s missing history

The CERN Heritage Collection is a repository of over 350 objects that chronicle the institution's scientific and technical milestones. Many of these artifacts are showcased in the Science Gateway and are even shared with museums worldwide. However, for some of these items, crucial information is lacking. This includes the purpose they served, the individuals or experiments that utilized them, and the circumstances surrounding their use. In certain instances, an object's current whereabouts remain undiscovered.

The CERN community is being called upon to assist in filling these gaps. Objects devoid of recorded context gradually lose their significance over time, often being cataloged as 'unknown.' Yet, there could be someone on-site today who possesses the exact knowledge of what each object is. A comprehensive list of such missing and unidentified objects can be accessed here, while the entire collection of exhibition items is available here.

If you find yourself in a position to:

Identify an unlabeled or vaguely labeled object,

Provide details on its usage and the person or experiment that employed it (whether an individual or a specific experiment),

Share photos, documents, or memories associated with an object,

Direct us to an object whose location remains unknown,

Please reach out to heritage.collections@cern.ch. The preservation of CERN's heritage relies heavily on the recollections and expertise of those who constructed, operated, and interacted with this equipment. By contributing, you play a vital role in sharing this history with future generations.