Seattle Part 2
Paul Allen is a geek but a very wealthy geek. He and Bill Gates stole ideas from other companies and brought them to the world from Microsoft. (It's true, I saw the TV movie and Anthony Michael Hall wouldn't lie.)
So, what did Paul Allen do with his millions? He did what any self respecting geek and sci fi fan would do, he went out and purchased Capt. Kirk's chair, uniform and several control panels from the bridge of the Enterprise. They're all on display at the Sci Fi Museum which Allen funded and built inside his Experience Music Project "building" in Seattle.
Heavy on artifacts under glass and light on interactive exhibits, the museum chronicles the development of science fiction and the scientific discoveries that inspired its authors. Any bibliofile would be impressed with the collection of first edition novels on display from authors such Bradbury, Asimov, Herbert, Dick etc (Josh, who else?).
The coolest part (and the lone interactive display) is the spaceport. Built to give the impression that you are standing in a bustling spaceport the 12' x 6' screen shows a space traffic jam doubling as a whose who of interstellar transport. Everything from the Millennium Falcon to Farscape's Moya to the Planet Express Ship from Futurama sails by outside. Touch screens give you access to specs and vignettes about each ship. I spent the longest time here.
Past this is a collection of weapons from Star Trek, Star Wars, Alien and just about any other sci fi galaxy that settles its difference the American way: phasers at noon There is also a small but interesting display dealing with creatures, robots and other inhabitants of the sci-fi universe.
My overall impression was that the museum is a nice foundation but I hope to see it grow with more interaction and an improved collection. Right now, it's rather small and could use more substance.
Mex
So, what did Paul Allen do with his millions? He did what any self respecting geek and sci fi fan would do, he went out and purchased Capt. Kirk's chair, uniform and several control panels from the bridge of the Enterprise. They're all on display at the Sci Fi Museum which Allen funded and built inside his Experience Music Project "building" in Seattle.
Heavy on artifacts under glass and light on interactive exhibits, the museum chronicles the development of science fiction and the scientific discoveries that inspired its authors. Any bibliofile would be impressed with the collection of first edition novels on display from authors such Bradbury, Asimov, Herbert, Dick etc (Josh, who else?).
The coolest part (and the lone interactive display) is the spaceport. Built to give the impression that you are standing in a bustling spaceport the 12' x 6' screen shows a space traffic jam doubling as a whose who of interstellar transport. Everything from the Millennium Falcon to Farscape's Moya to the Planet Express Ship from Futurama sails by outside. Touch screens give you access to specs and vignettes about each ship. I spent the longest time here.
Past this is a collection of weapons from Star Trek, Star Wars, Alien and just about any other sci fi galaxy that settles its difference the American way: phasers at noon There is also a small but interesting display dealing with creatures, robots and other inhabitants of the sci-fi universe.
My overall impression was that the museum is a nice foundation but I hope to see it grow with more interaction and an improved collection. Right now, it's rather small and could use more substance.
Mex
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