Ask HN: Mathematics-related Museums? Any interesting museums, exhibits, tours or destinations for mathematicians? National Museum of Mathematics @ NYC http://momath.org/ Greece |
Ask HN: Mathematics-related Museums? Any interesting museums, exhibits, tours or destinations for mathematicians? National Museum of Mathematics @ NYC http://momath.org/ Greece |
The collection is amazing, from prehistoric cuneiform tablets over Renaissance mechanical computers, Enigma, vacuum tube compuers to modern machines - it is arranged in chronological order. Some of the items have replicas that you can actually touch and operate (e.g. brass multiplication machines from the 18th century).
It is a version of the IBM-funded 1961 exhibition that has been shown in various museums such as the California and Chicago museums of science and industry. Its main claim to fame is that it was designed by Charles and Ray Eames (yes, of "Mad Men" era recliner fame, but more relevantly they also did the famous "Powers of Ten" film). It is a somewhat dated exhibit (I doubt a section on famous mathematicians would be titled "Men of Mathematics" today), but still has some interesting pieces, and the Eames influence means it is practically a piece of art in itself.