Bruce Campbell (202) 633-2472 campbellb@si.edu
WHAT: Press preview of “Time and Navigation: the untold story of getting from here to there”
WHEN: Wednesday, April 10
9 a.m.: Breakfast
9:30 a.m.: Remarks
9:45 a.m.: Gallery tour
WHERE: Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W.
WHO: Paul Ceruzzi, chair of the division of space history, National Air and Space Museum
Roger Connor, curator of aeronautics, National Air and Space Museum
Andrew Johnston, geographer, Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum
Carlene Stephens, curator of timekeeping, National Museum of American History
The National Air and Space Museum will host a press preview for “Time and Navigation: the untold story of getting from here to there” April 10. For centuries, nations have invested enormous resources to determine time and place for geopolitical reasons, and their research has changed people’s view of the world. Advanced technology that was once available only to the military has become commonplace in car dashboards, cell phones and a growing number of other portable devices of daily life. Time and Navigation explores how revolutions in timekeeping over three centuries have influenced how people find their way. It is organized into five sections: Navigating at Sea; Navigating in the Air; Navigating in Space; Inventing Satellite Navigation; and Navigation for Everyone.
This project is a collaboration between two of the Smithsonian’s most popular museums: the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History. The exhibition opens to the public April 12.
For the first time the museum is inviting social media users to apply for credentials to attend an exhibition’s press preview. Ten social media users will be selected and will be given the same access as news media. The deadline to register is March 31. The hashtag for social media is #TimeNav.
Media must RSVP to larai@si.edu or mitchellAC@si.edu
This timekeeper was the first American-made marine timekeeper taken to sea. William Cranch Bond, a 23-year-old Boston clockmaker, crafted it during the War of 1812.
This artifact is in the National Museum of American History's collection. It will go on display in the Time and Navigation exhibition, scheduled to open at the National Air and Space Museum in 2013.
Wiley Post’s Winnie Mae circled the globe two times, shattering previous records. The first time was in 1931 with Weems associate Harold Gatty as lead navigator. The second was a solo flight in 1933 assisted by “Mechanical Mike,” one of the world’s first practical autopilots.
This artifact will go on display in the Time and Navigation exhibition, scheduled to open at the National Air and Space Museum in 2013.