https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1021 Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:03:33 GMT 2026-04-25T20:03:33Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129639 Title: Galileo Galilei : a Machiavel at the papal inquisition Authors: Bianco, Lino Abstract: Recent interest in Galileo Galilei has been generated due to the accidental discovery of his Letter to Benedetto Castelli at the Royal Society Library in London in 2018 by Salvatore Ricciardo from the University of Bergamo. This article will focus on his 1616 case before the Inquisition in Rome. Following an introduction to put this publication in its chronological context, the article outlines the history of the heliocentric theory followed by a concise reference to Galileo’s relationships with friends and foes. It concludes with arguments challenging the conventional notion that Galileo was a victim in the 1616 case by showing that he acted more like a Machiavel at the Papal Inquisition, in that he (i) attempted to frame his opponent, (ii) abused the trust of the Jesuits, and (iii) engaged in damage control with respect to his case before the Inquisition. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129639 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129638 Title: Design proposals for the monument to Oliver Friggieri, Malta’s Eminescu Authors: Bianco, Lino Abstract: Design proposals for a monument to the widely respected literary writer and scholar of Maltese literature and language Oliver Friggieri were submitted following an announcement made by the Government of Malta through its national agency, Heritage Malta. Friggieri was a much-respected and loved personality in contemporary Malta – so much so that the day of his funeral was declared a national day of mourning. This article reviews the design brief, the submissions and the winning entry. It specifically addresses the philosophy and the design of two proposals by the author and his design team, one for the capital city of Malta, Valletta, and the other for his native town outside the capital, Floriana. The latter entry was short-listed but did not make it to the final. A maquette of this submission was donated to the Melitensia collection of the Library of the University of Malta. It is held in the reading room of the Melitensia Section which, a year earlier, was named in honour of the late scholar. This section holds works about all aspects of Maltese language, literature, history and culture. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129638 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129600 Title: World War Two anti-aircraft, gun-related, artefact at the University of Malta Library Authors: Bianco, Lino Abstract: The aim of this article is to establish the nature of an artefact – retrieved whilst ploughing arable land in Malta by a retired building contractor – donated to the Special Collection of the University of Malta Library. Through 3-D scanning, the faintly visible but readable identification number proved its authentic use. Although it was originally thought to be a heavily used, vintage plumb bob utilised in the building construction industry, it transpired that it was a WW2 British No 199 Mk IV time fuse. The article concludes by proposing a catalogue entry for the Special Collections. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129600 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129599 Title: Geohistorical structural design tables for the building stones of the Maltese archipelago Authors: Bianco, Lino Abstract: The engineering properties of building materials are essential knowledge when it comes to structural design. In 1885, the Crown Agents for the Colonies published a study on the resistance of Malta stone to cracking and crushing, in an attempt to develop stress design tables for local masonry. This article addresses the evolution of geological maps in the nineteenth century and, then, introduces the content of this publication. The geological formations described in the latest map are still used to this day. Finally, the usefulness of these tables in determining the mechanical properties of Maltese stone is discussed. To identify the quality of the stone discussed in this publication, a geological map available at the time, namely that published by Andrew Leith Adams in 1870, which proved to be moderately accurate, was used. The testing procedures applied followed the accepted laboratory practice at the time. A retrospective analysis of the contents of this publication reveals that the results contained some mathematical errors. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129599 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z