Pocket globe, GLB0057Repro ID D7091-2 © NMM(Click image to enlarge) This is a pocket globe made by James Ferguson in 1756. Pocket globes generally consisted of a small sphere representing the earth, in a special round case. The inside of the case was covered with a map of the heavens.

Pocket globes were popular in the 17th century as science and astronomy became fashionable.

Close-up on the two bears from the inside of the globe's case.
James Ferguson, the maker of this globe, helped to make science popular. He travelled around the country giving lectures in halls and coffee houses. He would often use instruments that he made in his demonstrations. Members his audience would often pay him to make similar instruments for them. He also wrote textbooks based on his lectures offering his audience a simple explanation of the works of Isaac Newton. These textbooks were very popular at the time.