ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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> Excellent rant! You sound a lot like I used to
> sound. 

Thank you so much for the compliment!

> With regard to the Foucault Pendulum, any Foucault >
Pendulum, I believe 
> there is a certain elegant simplicity in them. I
> also believe that 
> their beauty is lost on most people. Most people
> and museums, don't take the 
> time to appreciate the window into our world that
> they offer.

Yes, it does have elegant simplicity. But, the
scientific concepts are not so obvious; some sort of
explanation is needed with the Foucault Pendulum. In
this fast-paced world of ours, often people do not
take the time to understand these concepts.

When Buhl Planetarium first opened in 1939, the
Foucault Pendulum was one of their "talking exhibits."
A state-of-the-art [for 1939] recording system, using
pre-recorded records on turntables in a centralized
recording room, would give patrons an explanation of
the Pendulum at the touch of a button.

Well, after a while, this recording system was
phased-out [to this day, the last vestige of this
recording system can be seen with the speaker in the
Pendulum Pit]. Then, the Executive Director of Buhl
Planetarium insisted that a Floor Staff member always
be available in the main gallery, to explain the
Foucault Pendulum. He felt the personal touch was
always a better way to educate than just having a sign
explain an exhibit.

However, as time went on, and budgets became tight,
Buhl Planetarium gave-in to a sign on the Pendulum
railing. However it is done, it is important to
educate people as to why the Pendulum does what it
does. 

> Keep true to the things you believe in. You'll
> sleep better at night, for  awhile.  Then, like 
> most of us, your spirit will be crushed and your
> hard head will be beaten down to a soft, soupy pulp.

What a comforting thought! Well, I have been fighting
similar battles for many years, and my "hard head" and
spirit are still intact!

As your web site suggests that you are a vendor, I
must compliment you. It is quite brave for a vendor to
issue such a message on the List!

gaw

>>>Original Message:
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2005 12:40:40 -0700 
From: "Joe Ruggiero" <[log in to unmask]> 
Subject: Re: Removal of Smithsonian's Foucault
Pendulum 
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.
*****************************************************************************

Glenn,

Excellent rant! You sound a lot like I used to sound.
I'm not saying 
that I necessarily agree with everything you write,
but I appreciate 
the 
fact that you are willing to write so openly about
things you so 
obviously care about. Good going.

With regard to the Foucault Pendulum, any Foucault
Pendulum, I believe 
there is a certain elegant simplicity in them. I also
believe that 
their 
beauty is lost on most people. Most people and
museums, don't take the 
time to appreciate the window into our world that they
offer.

Keep true to the things you believe in. You'll sleep
better at night, 
for  awhile.  Then, like most of us, your spirit will
be crushed and 
your hard head will be beaten down to a soft, soupy
pulp.

Joe Ruggiero
www.theexhibitguys.com

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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