TED-Ed: The hidden worlds within natural history museums - Joshua Drew

Natural history museums house vast collections, with only a fraction on display. Behind the scenes, scientists use these collections to make groundbreaking discoveries. For instance, they helped solve the DDT crisis affecting bird populations. Museums have also contributed to sequencing the Neanderthal genome and understanding climate change impacts. These institutions are invaluable for research, offering insights into Earth's past, present, and future.

In what ways do natural history museums serve as windows into the past?

What are some examples of scientific breakthroughs made possible by museum collections?