This website from the BBC and the British Museum takes another important step into moving the museum experience online. People usually go to museums to see historic objects, and that's exactly what A History of the World makes possible, via the web. For example, one week's theme was status symbols, and the object of the day was the David Vases, two Chinese blue-and-white porcelain vessels, named after their most famous owner, Sir Percival David (1892-1964). Visitors can listen to a short program on the vases, episode 64 or read the transcript; view the vases on a timeline of history; and view a set of images of the vases from all angles. Because the site is operating in the era of online communities, not only is it possible to view 100 objects from the British Museum, but anyone who signs up for the site can also contribute objects as well - see Dolly's wardrobe, a set of paper dolls with costumes, or the typewriter that belonged to author Arthur Ransome.
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