National Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC
Some 70 objects illustrate that long before scientists explained the principles involved, artists and artisans created articles of beauty and utility, and, conversely, discoveries of scientists provided inspiration for other works by artists and artisans.
Included are:
- blue Egyptian ankh from a tomb in the Valley of the Kings
- amorphous semiconductor from RCA Laboratories
- seashell etched by Arizona Indians, 1200 A.D.
- 20th century American acid bottle
- a gold drinking cup
- 19th century Japanese sword guard
- kalliroscope 'sculpture' by Paul Matisse
Objects are on loan from British and U.S. collections; organized by MHT and Cyril Stanley Smith of MIT in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and funded by PPG, Inc. (Pittsburgh Plate Glass).
