"A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery" shows an early mechanism for demonstrating the movement of the planets around the Sun. The Scottish scientist James Ferguson (1710–1776) undertook a series of lectures in Derby in July 1762 based on his book "Lectures on Select Subjects in Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, Optics &c". (1760). To illustrate his lectures, Ferguson used various machines, models, and instruments. Wright may have attended these talks, especially as tickets were available from John Whitehurst, Wright's close neighbour, a clockmaker and a scientist. Wright also could have drawn on Whitehurst's practical knowledge to learn more about the orrery and its operation.