The Collections
SDTB / K. Huber-Abendroth
The Deutsches Technikmuseum collects and preserves objects touching on all aspects of the cultural history of technology. Over the years, it has amassed about 150,000 objects distinguished for their variety and significance. Around 4,000 objects are currently on display in the Museum’s exhibitions, whereas about 500 items are on loan to other museums. The vast majority of the Museum’s holdings, however, are located in the storage facility. These objects can be viewed by researchers, and they also provide the foundation for the development of new exhibitions.
In addition, we are also working to gradually make all of our holdings available online!
Our Collection Online
Thanks to funding from the Senate Department for Culture and Europe, in 2017 the Museum began preparing its collection for online consultation. In total, nearly 3,000 objects belonging to the Deutsches Technikmuseum can now be viewed online. In early 2018, a first group of 900 objects relating to the topics of “Communication and Media” were made available on the online portal museum-digital.de.
Also available online are more than 1,400 documents and technical drawings from the iron foundry and machine factory A. Wetzig Eisengießerei und Maschinenfabrik für Mühlenbau, as well as exhibits relating to rail transport, public transportation, and textiles.
Provenance Research
In 2019, the Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin began developing a strategy for researching the provenance of the objects in its collection. Further information on provenance research is available here.