Information Age Display the Information Age Exhibit

Information Age Display The "Information Age" exhibit at the National Museum of American history greatly increases one's appreciation of history and of the historical influence of technology on the world today.

Items seen within the exhibit Telegraph Coaxial cable Phones Information processing Stethoscope Arithmeter Tabulating Machine Pantograph ENIAC Apple I FBI Cathedral" radio Television Digital CD ROM Robots How the information adds t appreciation Technological know how of the times Innovation Effects on later inventions In the National Museum of American History, there is an exhibit which captures the inventor within all of us. This exhibit, the Information Age exhibit, has on display hundreds of items, spanning the 150-year length of the Information Age.

From the telegraph to the portable computer and digital CD ROM, these devices have helped shape the world around us, and have given us access to a whole new way of life. The "Information Age" exhibit greatly increases one's appreciation of history and of the historical influence of technology on the world today. Within the Information Age exhibit, there are many categories of items on display. One of these is the telegraph display. First, Samuel Morse's original telegraph transmitter and receiver from 1837 are displayed.

Being the first piece of equipment to transmit information in an electronic form, this piece of technology underwent many changes over the years, as represented by the display. By 1844, Morse had developed a commercial form of the telegraph involving the use of a key and sounder, rather than a printer and a coding device, As part of the telegraph, the Edison Stock Printer is also on display. This printer was vital in the telegraph era, as more and more people realized they could easily have crucial information almost immediately.

However, according to the display, the telegraph was fairly expensive, so its use was not widespread. In addition to the telegraph, a basic cable, called the Atlantic cable of 1858, is also on display. Being to forefather to the coaxial cable that would later transform information across the globe, this cable was not well designed, and only stayed operable for a few days. However, later cables would spread the information world across the ocean for the first time, promoting intercontinental communications.

In addition, the Information Age exhibit includes a telephone display, showing the history of the telephone as the world knows it today. Beginning with Alexander Graham Bell's early telephone equipment, including pictures of his early experimental phones, and spanning to the commercial phone of 1877 and the first telephones with a dial, this display shows the evolution of both the phone its self, and the equipment created to handle the calls.

There is also a display involving the processing of information, and the evolution of the machines created to do that task. The Arithmeter, a slide rule used by insurance agents to compute the average life expectancy of clients, and the stethoscope are on display, as are a Tabulating machine and pantograph machine. As the need for this type of information processing grew, so did the machines.

The ENIAC, a machine to calculate ballistic tables, is also represented, as is the Apple I computer, what is commonly considered to be the first personal computer. Sold as a kit for which consumers had to make their own case, many believed the personal computer was not a sellable product. In today's world of computers small enough to carry in one hand, this idea is shown to be incorrect. There are also FBI stations showing the current power of computers.

From this display, you can learn how the FBI uses current computer technology to store and retrieve information about fingerprints. You can also use computers to see what direct marketing companies sell in your neighborhood, and use a get a barcode sheet at the entrance of the exhibit, which you can scan at various places throughout the displays. There are also displays of television sets, from large early models through today's small compact model, and large screen flat panels.

In contrast, the stereo displays show the large, "Cathedral" radio from 1934 and the current pocket radios of today. In addition, the analog video disk and digital CD ROM also show the transition to the technological age. There is also a wonderful display involving robots. This display shows a robot in a factory, as a part of a welding line. The display includes an explanation of the ideas to use robots in place of humans for dangerous or repetitive for humans.

The display also discusses the jobs currently preformed by robots that are effectively replacing people in the workforce. There are many.