The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Science business in reach for the stars
What started as a hobby for science teacher Damian Hardacre quickly developed into a business that has seen Atoms to Astronauts blast off.
During lockdown, the 38-year-old started designing notebook covers using the original notes and images of the work of famous scientists.
After some encouraging feedback from friends and colleagues, he launched his business in May and his range of products now includes hard and soft cover notebooks, fine bone china mugs and art.
Mr Hardacre is currently working on adding tote bags and glassware to his gift offering which are created with materials handmade in the UK.
He said: “I like to buy science gifts and give them to colleagues and friends but I’ve never really come across anything that was really well made and not a generic periodic table design.
“I made a few designs and put them on a digital mock-up of a notebook and wanted the opinion of fellow chemists.
“This went semi-viral and so I tried the other designs in physics, maths, biology forums.
“The same thing happened with each one with people asking where they could buy them which encouraged me to set up the business.
“It’s been incredible that so many people from so many different countries have been in touch and placed an order and the feedback from them all has been 100% positive.”
Mr Hardacre first step was to speak with suppliers and then set up his website.
He said: “As a science teacher, science has always been a passion of mine since a young age. I believe that science and maths play a pivotal role in helping us through the difficulties we face as a society.
“Global warming and pandemics are just two of the current issues and science and science education are vitally important.
“It is my hope that these gifts and my business can work in some small way to promote science to a wider audience.”
For further information, visit atomstoastronauts.com
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