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Historical Electronics Museum
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
2 reviews for Historical Electronics Museum
Something for everyone.. if you're a nerd.
I've been meaning to go to this museum for months, but between the limited hours and my slothful habits, I've never gotten around to it. While the hours aren't as dumb as fellow nerdy museum, the National Cryptologic Museum, HEM is only open on some lame-ass weekday hours, or Saturday 10-2, but it's free, so fair enough.
They made a good impression on me from the start, when the volunteer who greeted us at the door addressed both of us, not just my boyfriend, when talking about electronics. The museum starts with an exhibit explaining the basics of electricity, with plenty of hands-on devices to demonstrate the various concepts. It's very well done and wonderful for kids, or anyone else who doesn't know much about the field.
Most of the exhibits relate to the use of technology in warfare or space exploration, which makes sense as the museum is underwritten by Northrop Grumman. Satellites, radar, radio and microwave devices are all on display with explanations about their function and use. In many cases, there's a cutaway, so you can see the circuity/vacuum tubes/wiring. There was also a large exhibit on some... um.. various jet fighter technologies I think? With names like HKKG-2726-FHJ or whatev? That were used on like military planes or something, I think? Yeah, I kinda blew straight through that one.
In addition to the demonstrations of electricity fundamentals, there are plenty of other participatory features, like a camera that lets you see yourself in Infra-red, a chance to try out Morse code communication and other fun things to keep the shorteez entertained while you contemplate the first solid state radar device used in the Korean war.
From the enthusiastic volunteers eager to interpret displays to the homemade (and wonderfully so) displays, the HEM is obviously a labor of love. Sometimes, this lapses into straight-up amaturishness, sometimes endearing, such as text placed behind the displays or captions dense with exclamation points. Other times, rampant misspellings left me thinking "C'mon guys, get it together. You're electrical engineers. Surely you're familiar with spellcheck." It was also obvious that the museum was put together by industry insiders. One caption read like a grant proposal, hyping a radar device's 37% increase in efficiency and 19% reduction in cost. Another caption for a military device bitterly lamented that Dick Cheney had killed the project, and though the company had sued for breach of contract, nothing had come of it.
The museum seemed small, but we spent 2.5 hours there, and this was after we both independently skipped the military planes section. There are plenty of things here to touch, to listen to, to manipulate, but the museum doesn't sacrifice substance to interactivity. They have struck a balance between providing detailed information for the nerds while making sure it wasn't all TL;DR for the n00bs. Honestly, I had a better time here than at the Air and Space museum. Make the effort to make it out the door at a reasonable time some Saturday, and check this place out.
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Sunday, December 7 Pearl Harbor - At 7:02 a.m., two Army operators at Oahu's northern shore radar station detect the Japanese air attack approaching and contact a junior officer who disregards their reports, thinking they are American B-17 planes which are expected in from the U.S. west coast.
This brand new (in 1941) Westinghouse radar performed flawlessly to its design parameters. A same type radar is on display outside of the museum.
If you ever wanted to see real hardware, a comprehensive history and easy to understand technical explaination of military electronics of radar, communications, and electronic warfare for ground, air, navy and space applications under one roof, look no further than the Historical Electronics Museum.
Nestled near the BWI Airport (and near some really great crab cake restaurants) this museum provides a wealth of information that will fascinate both grade schoolers and electrical engineering PhD's. I personally find this museum much superior to even the Smithsonian in providing real hardware as well as the explanations of the history and technical operations of the equipment.
What is even more fascinating is that much of the hardware there is still in operating condition. There is even an active ham radio club operating out of the museum under the call sign W3HEM.
The museum can also host lunches, dinners and parties. An interesting option for a Yelp event.....
I have been to this museum several times and am always fascinated with something different.
Best news is that this museum is free thanks to Northrop Grumman and the museum patrons and donors.
9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday
10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays
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