What do you get when you combine The History of Invention + Art + Technology?
A behind the scenes peak at the creation of The Velocipede Time Machine – Another ReImagineering marvel by the inventors at ModVic and Salmon Studios
Rosenbaum with “life size” parts of The Velocipede Time Machine.
With an installation date still on the far horizon, work has begun in earnest on The Velocipede Time Machine, inspired by H.G. Wells and 3 original patent models (Velocipede, governor balls and a dynamo). The kinetic sculpture is planned for display in the lobby of the Hagley Museum in Wilmington, DE.
In September, powder coated steel parts returned to Salmon Studios in Florence, MA. The team began organizing and planning for the upcoming stages of assembly.
Original concept illustration by Jim Su
“It’s a structured, and at times meticulous process, to build a sculpture of this size and complexity – and weight,” added Sam Ostroff. “Our guys have to work in close connection and constant communication – so the results will be precise and dazzle people.”
“Visually, the process moves from illustration, to technical drawings, to fabrication, and to assembly,” explained Bruce Rosenbaum. “Complicated portions are done first as a dry run to test and ensure the fit and mathematics are right. At this point the team is only in the early stages, but there is still plenty of time.”
The team of artists, welders, and craftsmen begin initial inventory and planning in Florence, MA.
The museum’s current exhibit will remain on display until March 2020.
“Nation of Inventors” is next and will open in April 2021, highlighting original historic patent models – harkening back to the days when the U.S. Patent Office was called the “National Archives”.
CAD illustrations keep everyone one the same page and show assembled concept.
The new exhibit is intricate with highly interactive touch screen functionality and audio video streaming for mobile devices.
In 2018, a traveling version of the Hagley Museum’s collection of U.S. patent models visited China and was cocurated by students from Tsinghua University in Beijing and the Tsinghua Museum of Art.
Situated near Tiananmen Square, it is estimated that at one stop on the tour the exhibit was viewed by more than 2 million tourists in the span of a month.
Read more about the “Spirit of Invention” tour in China in this Delaware Today article by Mark E. Dixon.
Once on display back in the U.S.
The Hagley Museum will install a second-floor exhibit to profile the inventors themselves through their lives, accomplishments, and anecdotal stories alike.
On the first floor, the exhibit will display actual patent models from the museum’s collection of over 5,000 originals. This main level of the
exhibit will honor and celebrate patents and the creative invention process.
The Velocipede will be viewed in the museum lobby with 2 or 3 noteworthy examples from the collection. This area of the property remains free for visitors to attract their attention and offer a fun photo opportunity.
The lobby display is slated to be on view starting in March 2021, prior to the gallery unveiling.
“The museum’s leadership team is thrilled that this exhibit will serve as a gateway to the history of invention in the U.S.” said Jill MacKenzie, Director of Museum and Audience Engagement. “It will deliver real educational value – in a fun and exciting fashion.”