Mathematica
Daily Activities at Mathematica
Once you drop into the Mathematica matrix, you will sense math all around you. Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation has activated the kinetic and rigorously playful exhibition, created by groundbreaking designers Charles and Ray Eames. Mathematica is just as wonder-inspiring now as it was in the 1960s. Novices and prodigies will make new connections, from the conceptual to the aesthetic.
Bubbles that seem impossible, ball bearings that mimic orbiting planets and a machine that renders probability theory as visible awaken the relationship between math and the everyday world. Count on full-STEAM-ahead learning, with the Eameses’ legendary elegance and levity.
Learn about our new field trip packages at 313-982-6001 , then press 1.
Highlights
"Mathematical Models" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
Artifact
Installation (Exhibition)
Date Made
1960-1961
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2015.16.1.9
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"Mathematical Models" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"Multiplication Cube" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
Artifact
Installation (Exhibition)
Date Made
1960-1961
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2015.16.1.8.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"Multiplication Cube" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"The Random Walk" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
Artifact
Installation (Exhibition)
Date Made
1960-1961
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2015.16.1.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"The Random Walk" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"Projective Geometry" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
Artifact
Installation (Exhibition)
Date Made
1960-1961
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2015.16.1.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"Projective Geometry" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"Celestial Mechanics" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
Artifact
Installation (Exhibition)
Date Made
1960-1961
Summary
Mathematica was the first exhibition to be designed by the Eames Office, produced through sponsorship by IBM. One of the first immersive exhibits dedicated to mathematics, its mechanical and static displays teach people about the abstract qualities of mathematics in a non-mathematical way--through direct interaction and visual storytelling. This interactive demonstrates Kepler and Newton's planetary and gravitational theories.
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2015.16.1.4
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"Celestial Mechanics" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"Probability Board" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
Artifact
Installation (Exhibition)
Date Made
1960-1961
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2015.16.1.6.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"Probability Board" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"Minimal Surfaces" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
Artifact
Installation (Exhibition)
Date Made
1960-1961
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2015.16.1.3.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"Minimal Surfaces" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"Conic Sections" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
Artifact
Installation (Exhibition)
Date Made
1960-1961
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2015.16.1.5.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"Conic Sections" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Celestial Mechanics
With a press of a button, metal ball bearings are released and cycle around down a vortex funnel to demonstrate the orbital relationship between heavenly bodies.
The Random Walk
Two sorting baskets flip back and forth—determining the direction of a meandering pathway of lightbulbs.
Minimal Surfaces
Watch as six wire wands dip in and out of a soapy bath to create delicate bubble forms.
Conic Sections
Peer through the viewing portals and see beams of light transformed into complex shapes, scattered across string formations.
