The Geoffrey Kaye Museum

Founded in 1935 by Dr Geoffrey Kaye (1903-1986), this fascinating museum collection chronicles the developments and achievements in anaesthesia, intensive care medicine and pain medicine from early beginnings to the present day.  It is one of the largest and most comprehensive anaesthetic history collections in the world.

Through its many activities, the Museum explores the important impact the specialty of anaesthesia has had on society and its continuing contribution to the advancement of medicine in general.

To cultivate an interest in anaesthesia and promote the development of the practice among students, physicians and the general public through the display and use of a wide variety of anaesthetic equipment."
Dr Kaye’s vision, c. 1935

The Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History is one of the largest and most varied collections of its kind in the world. The nucleus of the collection was amassed by Dr Geoffrey Kaye between 1935 and 1955 and the Museum now contains many rare items depicting the history of anaesthesia and related specialties, from 1846 to the present day. Items include an 1870s Nitrous Oxide Gasometer, and rare research material such as Dr Joseph Clover’s 1846-1853 Lecture and Case Notes.

Geoffrey Kaye as a young man. Water colour by Norma Bull. ANZCA Archive Collection.		Clover’s Lecture and Case Notes U.C. Hospital        1846-1853, p.1        Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History Collection        Reg. No. 4896

Dr Geoffrey Kaye was a pioneer Melbourne anaesthetist, who promoted the development of research and teaching in anaesthesia in the 1930s and 1940s. He forged strong links with many prominent overseas anaesthetists in the emerging specialty, establishing a scientific basis for a specialty that had hitherto been an entirely practical one.

Demonstration of the 1870s Nitrous Oxide Gasometer to students, at The Geoffrey Kaye Museum, in the Physiology Department, University of Melbourne, in the late 1940s. Photograph, Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History Collection Reg. No. 5041

The Collection continues to grow and now contains over 8,000 items which have been gathered from donations, companies, hospitals, and exchange with other anaesthetic collections.

An interesting changing display program showcases the Collection by exploring past and on-going developments in anaesthesia, intensive care medicine and pain medicine and the specialty’s continuing contribution to society and the advancement of medicine in general.

The Museum display may be visited during normal business hours. A guided tour may be arranged by contacting the curator.

ANZCA House
630 St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3004

Contact
Ph: +61 (3) 9510 6299
Email: museum@anzca.edu.au