Nature archive

The papers that made all the difference

• Nov. 1869 – Dec. 1949

  Volumes 1-164: 4183 issues

  First set, a rich variety of material

  The first set of the Nature archive offers a rich variety of material; from original research to book reviews, scientific news, and reports of scientific society meetings. During this period the pages of Nature were home to many of the most significant scientific advances, such as the invention of the typewriter and telegraphs, the science behind and debate around nuclear weapons, the discovery of the neutron, and, in what may have been Nature’s very first special issue, a lively discussion on Einstein’s theory of relativity. 

  Use of fingerprints as a way to identify criminals

• Jan. 1950 – Dec. 1986

  Volumes 165-324: 1915 issues

  Rapid increase in scientific discovery in biological sciences

  The post-war years saw a rapid increase in scientific discovery, particularly in the biological sciences. The structure of DNA was revealed to the world, and by the end of 1986 the first description of using fluorescence technology to automate DNA sequencing was published, eventually resulting in the human genome sequence. Startling confirmations in the physical sciences, including evidence of continental drift and the detection of a hole in the ozone layer, now fuel much of today’s climate change research - and key papers published in this collection continue to shape economic and political policies. 

  Watson and Crick decipher the structure of DNA

• Jan. 1987 – Dec. 1996

  Volumes 325-384: 512 issues

  The period includes established scientific findings

  The period covered by the third archive set includes established scientific findings, such as remarkable advances in drug development and the search for other earth-like planets. In 1995 Mayor and Queloz of the Geneva Observatory, Switzerland, found ‘51 Pegasi b’, a large, Jupiter-sized planet orbiting a Sun-like star. Nearly two hundred extrasolar planets have since been found using the same technique. 

  First discovery of a planet outside our solar system

• Jan. 1997 – Dec. 2006

  Volumes 385-445: 512 issues

  Groundbreaking research and discoveries

  This Nature archive set is home to some of the most groundbreaking research and discoveries of the previous decade, including the first instance of successful cloning of a mammal, and the development of electrophoretic ink, used today in ebook readers. Huge steps forward in genetics were also made; the Human Genome Project mapped every part of the human DNA and a large portion of the results were published in Nature. The data from this project will allow researchers to continue to develop new and life saving technologies. 

  Cloning and birth of Dolly the sheep revealed

• Jan. 2007 - 2016

  Volumes 446 - 540: 512 issues

  The most important discoveries of modern science

  Following Nature’s 150 year anniversary, a new 10-year archive set is available to institutions wishing to fill their content gaps and secure their access to the most recent breakthroughs in contemporary research. Along with more diversified content types, and an increased share of papers from China, are key discoveries and breakthroughs in Biochemistry and Cell Biology but also increased output in Climate science and Astrophysics. 

  Mapping human epigenomes