ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

In defense of the National Museum of American History, the Pendulum was an
integral part of the exhibits back when the museum was called The National
Museum of History and Technology and had a mission appropriate to that name.
 In 1980 the museum altered its name to the National Museum of American
History, and altered its mission accordingly. The  Foucault Pendulum, the
invention of a French Physicist, fit the old mission nicely but it fit the
new mission tangentially at best. After what I hear was vast amounts of
deliberation (I have been here only a short time) it was removed to make way
for more mission related displays and to improve visitor flow.

The NMAH community remains ambiguous about hte decision, but given its lack
of relation to American History it is not coming back. Go to
http://americanhistory.si.edu/about/renovations.cfm to read more about
plans for the Central Core of the museum.

You may scoff at this "progress" all you like, but before you judge us too
harshly ask yourself this: 

Would your institution devote three floors of its most prime exhibition and
visitor services real estate to a single artifact that has nothing to do
with your mission?

Or, considering how many science center and museum iMax theaters
are/did/will show such films as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  Robots,
and  Batman Begins, maybe I should rephrase:

Would your institution devote three floors of its most prime exhibition and
visitor services real estate to a single artifact that has nothing to do
with your mission AND DOES NOT BRING A SINGLE DIME?

You may not agree with the decision to remove the Pendulum, many here at
the museum didn't, but it was not done lightly and it certainly was not
"cast aside." And remember that "progress" is not an isolated variable or
value, but must be measured in terms of mission, goals, and objectives. 
Considering the fact that our mission is to inspire a broader understanding
of our nation and its many peoples, removing hte Pendulum was indeed
progress.

I am not necessarily defending the specific decision to remove the
Pendulum, or any other specific decision at any institution for that
matter.There can be healthy disagreement among museum professionals and
related healthy debate, but before we get snarky about the curatorial
decisions of fellow professionals, we should really get the full story and
try to put ourselves in their shoes.

Perhaps a more helpful tack in this thread would be for the original poster
to contact the curator in charge of the Pendulum and ask him for information
and possible video footage. I sent that curator the original poster's query
and email address. I would be happy to along contact information of said
curator  to the original poster if they contact me off list.

Matt White
Director, Hands On Science Center
national Museum of American History

>>> [log in to unmask] 07/21/05 07:58PM >>>
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
*****************************************************************************

>Oh, for those that wonder why I don't just run down
to >the National Museum of American History and video
>tape the Foucault Pendulum there? Well, it is
>no longer there. The circular tile work and hole in
the >floor above remain, but the pendulum does not.

That is very unfortunate. I am sorry to hear that
their Foucault Pendulum has been cast-aside for,
so-called, "progress.

In Pittsburgh, we have also experienced this type of
"progress." However, I am happy to report that the one
major historic artifact that REMAINS in the original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
building is the Foucault Pendulum, which was installed
with the building's construction in 1939:

<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/Buhlexhibits.htm#Foucault 
>

The Buhl Planetarium building is now being used by the
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. You should contact
Jane Werner [Executive Director] or Chris Siefert
[Project Director] for permission to do your filming.

Let me know if you come to Pittsburgh for this
filming. I would like to meet you.

gaw

>>>Original Message:
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 12:56:59 -0400 
From: "Todd Thuma" <[log in to unmask]>  Add to Address
Book 
Subject: Seeking A Foucault Pendulum - time lapse
video or the real thing to video myself 
To: [log in to unmask] 

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of
Science-Technology 
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums
and related 
institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Dear ASTC Listserve'rs,

I am seeking time lapse video of a Foucault Pendulum
and was wondering 
if
anyone might have just such a video. I intend to use
this video for a
professional development course placed online. The
course is intended 
for
educators to increase or refresh their understanding
of specific 
science
content and this video will be used to illustrate the
motion of the 
Foucault
Pendulum over several hours (so they don't have to
stand there and 
watch it)
and demonstrate evidence for Earth's rotation on an
axis.

Alternatively, if one does not exist, I am seeking
anyone with a 
working
Foucault Pendulum that I can come visit and video
tape. I have all the
necessary gear; a digital video camera, firewire
cable, and computer 
time
lapse software that can take a still image at certain
intervals. I live 
in
Arlington, VA and would be willing to travel to your
center, no more 
than
1/2 a day's travel, in order to conduct the
videotaping.

Oh, for those that wonder why I don't just run down to
the National 
Museum
of American History and video tape the Foucault
Pendulum there? Well, 
it is
no longer there. The circular tile work and hole in
the floor above 
remain,
but the pendulum does not.

Your assistance and interest is very much appreciated,

Todd

Todd S. Thuma
Science Object Producer
National Science Teachers Association

e:[log in to unmask] 
v:703.312.9264
f:703.243.7177

1840 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201-3000

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh
Electronic Mail - < [log in to unmask] > 
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh: 
  < http://www.planetarium.cc > 
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago: 
  < http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Astronomer & Optician John A. Brashear: 
  < http://johnbrashear.tripod.com > 
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries: 
  < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc > 
* Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh: 
  < http://www.incline.cc >

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