O Say Can You See?

You don't need a helmet to do these tricks

In the midst of all the election and economy news you might have missed illusionist David Blaine’s newest trick. The 35-year-old world record holder hung upside down for 60 hours, suspended four stories above Wollman Rink in New York’s Central Park. Aside from the inherent danger of dangling 40 feet in the air, Blaine risked permanent damage to his body—especially his eyes and head—by hanging upside down for so long.

For those of you who might not be willing to risk life and limb, may I present to you the Floating-Vanishing Glass and the Milk in Hat tricks. This catalog page from 1945, in the collections of the museum’s Archives Center, displays two relatively danger-free illusions from the Sterling Magic Co. of Detroit, Michigan. For the price of but $3 you too can learn to “cause a full size glass tumbler of water that is covered with a fancy cloth to cling to finger tips, then float into space…” Or perhaps pouring liquids into other people’s hats is more your forte. Simply pour “any liquid in the hat, then [place] a glass tumbler down in hat, immediately [lift] it out and there’s all the milk in the glass, not a drop remains in that hat.” Guaranteed to be “A Laugh Riot!!”

Daniel Hoerr is an assistant in the New Media Department.

Big, blue, and beautiful

In my time here at the museum, I've collected lots of things. Most have been relatively small—like watches—or even smaller—like parts of watches. Such things don't take up much room and are, for all their delicacy, easy to handle. A shoebox, padded with tissue paper and held exactly level, will safely transport lots of little things into the museum.

Shoeboxes won't work now that I'm collecting robots.

Take Stanley, for example. This beautiful blue robot the museum just acquired is the size of a car! A modified Volkswagen Touareg, to be exact. Stanley can navigate for itself, without a human in the driver's seat or at remote controls.

Stanley's not only big and beautiful, but historically important too: in a brief but spectacular racing career, Stanley beat twenty-two other robot vehicles for a $2 million prize on a demanding 132-mile course across the Mojave Desert. Sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the October 2005 contest demonstrated that robot vehicles—long considered just experimental dreams—are in fact feasible.

Stanley arrived at the museum not too long ago, completely drained of the biodiesel fuel that makes the vehicle go and prepped for long-term display. For a car that can drive itself, this robot needs a lot of human help to get around. Thanks to the museum's labor crew—all six of them—who maneuvered Stanley's 3000-pound bulk from loading dock to freight elevator to first floor, and thanks to the careful attentions of our collections manager, Stanley is resting comfortably in temporary storage. Come October, the robot will need their considerable help one last time to roll across the first floor for display in "Robots on the Road," a display within the museum's Science in American Life exhibition.

Carlene Stephens is a curator in the Division of Work and Industry.

A seat with a view

Check out this photo of the frame for the bench that will be part of the new Star-Spangled Banner viewing gallery. The artist’s rendering below shows you what it will look like when it’s done. We know that people need a place to sit down, especially in huge museums like NMAH. But often it’s hard to find a good spot for a bench that doesn’t block traffic flow or limit the amount of space we have to display objects and tell stories. We think this bench is a great compromise, which will give you a fantastic view of the flag without creating a traffic jam for the hundreds of people we expect to be sharing this space at any one time. And if you come see us in, say, early February before tourist season really starts? You might be able to come have a seat on our bench and enjoy a serene, beautiful view all by yourself!

Harry Kashdan is an intern with the New Media Program.

Living history

I recently got back from a family vacation to Virginia’s “Historic Triangle,” where we visited Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown settlement, and the Yorktown battlefield. We had a great time immersing ourselves in colonial and early American history.

There was a wonderful moment in Colonial Williamsburg when actors portraying turncoat Benedict Arnold and his British troops swept in to occupy the town. My four-year-old son’s eyes got big as they cleared the streets, and my daughters yelled “The British are coming! The British are coming!” Perhaps they were getting just a taste of what it felt like for the townspeople in 1781. (We were too busy running from the British to snap a good photo - the picture shown here is of the local militia.)

The mission of a history museum is a little different than these outdoor historical sites, but we share a common goal: to make history come alive for visitors. We strive to do this through compelling exhibit design, descriptive written labels, engaging programs and tours—and especially, authentic and important historical artifacts. Where else can you inspect a Revolutionary-era gunboat, surround yourself with the remnants of a Civil War battlefield, ponder the moment of Abraham Lincoln’s funeral, re-live the golden era of railroading, witness the first controlled nuclear chain reaction, experience a World War II U.S.O. show, ride a post-war Chicago streetcar, and put yourself in Julia Child’s kitchen, all in one building?

I love to bring my kids to the museum to show them some “real stuff” related to the history they learn in school. We’ve had to take a break from that for a while, but we look forward to resuming our family visits come November. I hope we’ll see you here!

Matthew MacArthur is the museum's Director of New Media. He is determined that his children WILL grow up to love history.

      

Who foots the bill?

Everyone who visits the Smithsonian Institution appreciates the fact that there is no charge for admission to any of our fantastic museums here in Washington. This sets the Smithsonian apart from other world-class cultural institutions, and allows millions of visitors from all walks of life to experience and learn about science, art, and history.

So, how can the world’s largest museum complex and research institution afford to let everybody in for free? How do we pay for all of those new exhibitions and programs as well as conduct important research and complete much-needed building renovations (like those at the American History museum)? I thought you’d never ask!

$100,000 note from the museum's numismatic collection - the highest denomination ever issued in the U.S.

You might know that your federal tax dollars help pay for the Smithsonian’s budget. But many people do not know that the Smithsonian is only partially funded by the federal government. The Smithsonian, including our own museum, relies on financial support from private individuals, corporations, and foundations in order to accomplish its mission to “increase and diffuse knowledge” and to preserve America’s cultural heritage for future generations.

In addition to your tax dollars, our museum’s renovation was made possible by individuals and organizations whose generosity demonstrates a love for their country’s history and an appreciation of the museum’s role in preserving and sharing that history with all who visit our building and our Web sites. People make gifts ranging from $1 all the way to $1 million and beyond― and every gift is critical to our work. Neither the Smithsonian nor our museum would exist—let alone be free to enter—without the support of people like you.

Now, show me the money!  (Just kidding.)  If you do want to make a donation, though, you can make it online here.

Mike Johnson is a Development Associate in the Office of External Affairs. He loves his job because he is constantly witness to the passion and generosity of people who love American history as much as he does.