The idea of a historical exhibition of the scientific memorabilia conserved in Tuscany first arose in 1923, when Antonio Garbasso, physicist and Podestà of Florence, brought it to the attention of the Gruppo per la tutela del patrimonio scientifico nazionale [Group for the safeguarding of the national scientific heritage]. The Group had been founded that same year at the initiative of Andrea Corsini; its members included, in addition to Garbasso, the Director of the Regie Gallerie Fiorentine [Florentine Royal Galleries] Giovanni Poggi, the botanists Gino Bargagli Petrucci and Lino Vaccari, the anthropologist Aldobrandino Mochi, the geologist Giuseppe Stefanini, the naturalist Vincenzo Baldasseroni and marquess Piero Bagnesi Bellincini. Its main objectives consisted of identifying and safeguarding scientific memorabilia and implementing projects for the dissemination of historical-scientific knowledge, aims to be achieved by compiling catalogues, organizing conferences and guided tours, as well as restoring and conserving manuscripts, books and instruments.
