The Franklin Institute
Created for the Franklin Institute's 175th Anniversary celebration in 1999, the exhibit explores Franklin's scientific genius: from meteorology and music, to electricity, optics, and aquatics. It also offers new insight into the inventive minds of other great scientists whom Franklin inspired, such as the Wright Brothers and Thomas Edison. Objects with historical significance are featured, including rare 18th Century artifacts from the Institute's curatorial collections and Franklin's own inventions and models, including his lightning rod and a reproduction of his bifocals. The role of The Franklin Institute in major scientific breakthroughs during its 175-year-plus history is highlighted in a special section, "The Wonderland of Science." This was a term coined to describe the museum shortly after its opening in 1934.