Arithmeum

Within the context of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, the Arithmeum acts as a bridge between research and the public. It belongs to the Research Institute for Discrete Mathematics and is dedicated to communicating scientific and technical contexts. The name Arithmeum combines the terms "arithmetic" and "museum."

The building stands on the southwest corner of the Hofgarten, thereby linking directly to the university’s urban space. The museum was erected in 1998; its externally visible steel-and-glass shell is conceived as a symbol of the openness of scientific knowledge. Additional shading elements and projecting balconies create a fluid transition between the building and the surrounding airspace.

The institution was founded by the institute director, who also contributed his private collection of calculating machines. In 2008 the collection comprised around 4,500 calculating machines, 2,000 books, 800 works of art and 500 historic computers. These holdings make the exhibition significant for the history of technology as well as for the history of mathematics and computer science.

The Arithmeum sees itself as an interface between science, technology and art: exhibits, the book collection and artistic works are presented so that technical workings and scientific ideas can be experienced simultaneously.