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Like the legendary television character of MacGyver, visitors to Spark!Lab are challenged to solve problems with ingenuity, a pile of off-the-shelf items, and the tools to get the job done. From Smithsonian.com.
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Lecture delivered by Dr. Regina Blaszcyk at the Hagley Museum and Library on September 12, 2013 about the relationship between color and commerce in American history. The lecture covered the role of professional “color forecasters” and “color engineers” who helped major corporations bridge the gap between color and enterprise. Then and now, professional colorists use psychology and illusion to capture the hearts—and dollars—of consumers.
Beyond Words
What does children’s play have to do with the work of serious scientists?
Beyond Words
Is the quality and quantity of children’s play changing? How do new electronic and digital technologies affect children at play? How can new technologies provide rich motor and sensory experiences? If play is changing, how will that affect invention?
Beyond Words
Is it important for adults to make time to play? How do work, play, creativity and productivity relate to each other? When is the last time you played?
Beyond Words
Does play serve a purpose or is the point of play to have no purpose?
Beyond Words
See a reenactment of Thomas Edison's first recording of sound, from the Lemelson Center's celebration of Edison's 150th birthday.
Beyond Words
Patti McGee and Di Dootson Rose talk about their lives as women skateboarders and offer some insight on skateboarding's place in American culture.
Beyond Words
Jacob Rosenberg explores the skate world through his films.
Invention Stories
Today marks the 30th anniversary of Apple’s famous “1984” television ad that aired on January 22, 1984 during the third quarter of the Super Bowl XVIII between the Los Angeles Raiders and Washington Redskins. Historian Eric Hintz describes how the “1984” ad and the introduction of the Apple Macintosh were key milestones both in the history of computing and the history of advertising.
Beyond Words
The author of a new biography on Nikola Tesla offers insights into the legendary inventor's processes.
Beyond Words
W. Bernard Carlson, author of "Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age," talks about Nikola Tesla's life and work.
Beyond Words
W. Bernard Carlson, author of "Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age," talks about Nikola Tesla's life and work during a program presented by the Lemelson Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Beyond Words
Artist-designer-inventor Adam Harvey explores the aesthetics of privacy.
Beyond Words
Robin Logan and Cindy Whitehead talk about their lives as two of the first professional women skateboarders and offer some insight on skateboarding’s place in American culture.
Beyond Words
DJ Bob Casey talks about introducing the dual turntable into the music scene in 1958.
