Mathematica: A World of Numbers... and Beyond
| Company type | Exhibition |
|---|---|
| Industry | Museum exhibition, Mathematics education |
| Founded | March 1961 |
| Founder | Charles and Ray Eames |
| Headquarters | California (original premiere) , United States |
Area served | Multiple venues including California, New York, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Atlanta, Dearborn |
| Owner | Originally California Museum of Science and Industry; later New York Hall of Science and others |
Mathematica: A World of Numbers... and Beyond is an exhibition blending dynamic and static displays of mathematical ideas, created by Charles and Ray Eames. It premiered at the California Museum of Science and Industry in 1961. Multiple reproductions were produced, and both the original and copies have since been transferred to different venues.
History
In March 1961, the California Museum of Science and Industry (which was renamed the California Science Center in 1998) unveiled a new science wing. IBM was invited to participate and commissioned the distinguished design duo Charles and Ray Eames to develop an interactive exhibit. The Eames Office crafted Mathematica: A World of Numbers... and Beyond, marking their inaugural museum exhibition project. While IBM financed the initiative, the museum retained ownership of the physical installation, and the Eames Office maintained creative rights.
The exhibit stayed on display at the museum until January 1998, making it the longest-lasting corporate-sponsored museum exhibition. It is also notable as the sole surviving exhibition designed by the Eames Office. Subsequently, the original Mathematica was reassembled for an exhibit at the Alyce de Roulet Williamson Gallery at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena from July through October 2000. This was followed by a showing at the Exploratorium in San Francisco from October 2001 until May 2002.
Since 2004, ownership and exhibition have been held by the New York Hall of Science in Queens, New York, although some original elements—such as overhead plaques featuring quotations from mathematicians—are no longer present.
Duplicates
An identical replica was produced in November 1961 for Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, where it remained until late 1980. It was subsequently sold and moved to Boston’s Museum of Science, where it is permanently installed within the Theater of Electricity.[1] This Boston version closely adheres to the original Eames design, including overhead plaques displaying historic mathematicians’ quotations. A later refurbishment added a graphic panel to the History Wall timeline, highlighting contributions by both male and female mathematicians from the late 20th century through the early 21st century.[1]
A third iteration was created for IBM’s Pavilion at the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair.[2] After a brief display in Manhattan, it was installed at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center until 1980. It then moved to IBM’s headquarters at 590 Madison Avenue in New York City before being relocated to SciTrek in Atlanta in 1998. Following SciTrek’s closure in 2004 due to funding issues, the exhibit was returned to Lucia Eames, daughter of its original creators, in Petaluma, California. In 2015, the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan acquired this version,[3] where it remains on public display.[4]
Exhibits
The displays vary from simple interactive elements—triggered by pressing buttons—to continuously operating motorized installations powered electrically and set on predetermined cycles. The combination of moving parts and the sounds produced by descending balls enhances the immersive experience.
- A large-scale bean machine illustrating how the binomial distribution approaches the normal distribution
- A motor-driven Möbius strip that completes a full loop on its single-sided surface
- A funnel-shaped curved model representing a gravitational well with ball bearings orbiting around it
- A three-dimensional cube designed to demonstrate mathematical multiplication
- Samples of minimal surfaces shown through soap bubbles and films
- Mechanical linkages such as the Sarrus linkage
- Topological forms including the Klein bottle
- Models that explore perspective and geometric projection principles
- Arrangements of string and light exhibiting various conic sections
- An automated dice game exemplifying a random walk
- An "Image Wall" presenting mathematical artwork inspired by the Fibonacci series and the Golden Spiral
- A "History Wall" timeline showcasing worldwide mathematical breakthroughs and cultural influences
Overhead, large placards displaying quotations from renowned mathematicians were part of the original installation, though these have been excluded in some subsequent versions.
For IBM's 1964/1965 New York World's Fair Pavilion, five "Mathematical Peepshow" animated films were produced covering subjects such as Eratosthenes, functions, symmetry, topology, and exponential growth. These films are currently accessible on YouTube and other digital platforms.
Men of Modern Mathematics poster
IBM issued a timeline poster titled Men of Modern Mathematics in 1966, five years following the debut of the Mathematica Exhibit. This poster was derived from the exhibit’s History Wall and was distributed at no cost to educational institutions. Spanning from 1000 AD to approximately 1950 AD, it highlighted biographical and historical milestones accompanied by images reflecting advancements in science and architecture. The mathematical content was curated by Professor Raymond Redheffer of UCLA. This timeline has since become widely displayed in mathematics departments around the world.
In 2012, IBM launched a free iPad application called Minds of Modern Mathematics, which updated the original poster to include developments up to the present day and expanded representation of women mathematicians. Created in collaboration with the Eames Office, this app exemplifies IBM’s continued dedication to educational innovation.
See also
- Mathematics and art
- Museum of Mathematics – permanent mathematics museum located in Manhattan, New York City
- Mathemalchemy – a 2021 traveling art exhibit featuring mathematical symbols and narratives
External links
- Mathematica exhibit in QuickTime VR — from a 2000 exhibition at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California
- CMSI Commemorating the California Museum of Science & Industry
- Mathematica Exhibit at Boston’s Museum of Science
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