Mathematica / The Henry Ford Museum

Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan. IBM was asked by the California Museum of Science and Industry to contribute a display to its new wing, which would open in 1961. IBM hired the Eames Office, who had already made a number of films for them. Charles and Ray Eames were assisted by Gordon Ashby and John Neuhart; designers. Dr. John Redheffer; consultant. Parke Meek, Jeremy Lepard; film production. Displaymasters, Seale Design, and Remanco; construction. UCLA’s Dr. Raymond Redheffer, was the math consultant who helped with the concepts. One of the best kept secrets in science is how unpompous scientists are at their science, and the amount of honest fun that for them is part of it. In doing an exhibition, as in Mathematica, one deliberately tries to let the fun out of the bag. The catch is that it can't be any old fun but it must be a very special brand. The excitement, or joke, must be a working part of th...