Blog 4: Jurassic Museum of Technology

Possibly the most obscure museum that I have ever been to was the Jurassic Museum of Technology located in Culver City of California State.  This institution against traditional notions of museums that praise the achievements made in the field of science by displaying the “failures” as well as the “uncharted/unanswered questions” from scientists.  The dim-lighted setting is parallel to how scientists would feel in the darkness of the ambiguity of the science realm. Once entering the museum from an environment of bright aura, the closed, windowless walls engulf you presences in darkness.  You lose all perception and sense of being for a brief moment in silence, until you become acclimated to your new environment, as if born anew with your new eyes. Your new vision then allows you to wander through the gallery to absorb all knowledge into your fetus brain.  However, my first instinct at the museum was to sit down and watch the “Beginnings of the Jurassic Museum of Technology” film for all new viewers. Interestingly enough, the film delivered such a befuddling and a side-tracked explanation to the beginning of the museum that I found myself having to leave after 7 minutes of listening.  I then made my way through the museum to gander at the sites and exhibits that they have laid out.

Similar to the uncorrelated displays of objects and showcases, the layout of the museum is laid out in a “maze-like” pattern. Sometimes I would find myself going on a path looking at old letters of Mt. Wilson excursions, then suddenly finding myself a new room in the far distant corner.  To me it emphasized the scientific pathway to finding a new discovery, only by continuously venturing the unknowns and expanding upon your curiosity, may you possibly find the answer to your question.

The exhibit I found myself to enjoy the most was the in depth experience of tackling the “cat’s cradle”.  I would struggle to weave the string through my clumsy fingers while also watching the tutorial to achieve the certain pattern, but unfortunately I ended in a failed attempt.

Another small demonstration was the Java jaw in which sparked a newly found debate on the transition from ape to man. Charles Darwin was the first individual to devastate and shake the conservative society with this profound theory, however its impact lead to a hunt to affirm this notion.  Eugene Dubois was the paleoanthropologist whose discovery solidified Darwin’s notion of mankind originating from their ape ancestors. However the museum highlighted not the discovery of the Java man but rather the crippling insanity of Dubois himself. Due to Dubois anxiety of rejection to his notable discovery, his paranoia lead him to lock the bones in his household so that even to this day we may never find the Java man bones that have solidified the present evolution theory.

The museum experience was fascinating as I was able to become the scientist himself as well as learn of other notable pioneers in their loss and failure to achieve their profound discoveries in the science realm.