Page 112 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

110  CHIC A GO AREA B Y AREA

Exploring the Museum of Science The history of aviation is well
and Industry represented in the museum’s
transportation zone. Look up to
the balcony to see a rare Boeing
The Museum of Science and Industry has more than 40B-2 airplane suspended from
35,000 artifacts, including 2,000 interactive displays, the ceiling.
making it one of the largest science museums in the world. Nearby is Take Flight, an
It encompasses everything from basic science to advanced exhibit explaining the scientific
technology. Space explo ration, transportation, and human principles behind the wonder
of flight, such as radar, aero-
biology are particularly strong areas. With more than 350,000 dynamics, and engine and wing
sq ft (32,500 sq m) of exhibition space, there’s more than construction. This exhibit
enough to keep visitors of all ages engaged for a full day contains one of the museum’s
of investigation and discovery. largest attractions, a cantilevered
United Airlines Boeing 727.
One of the museum’s most
popular exhibits is the restored
U-505 Submarine, the only
German U-Boat to be found in
the US. This World War II boat
was captured by US naval
forces off the west coast of
Africa in 1944. The submarine
forms the centerpiece of a
35,000 sq-ft (3,250-sq-m)
The Museum of Science and Industry indoor exhibit, which gives
visitors the chance to
A 20-minute movie simulates experience the interior of
Space Exploration for viewers the experience of a vessel, learn about the
The Henry Crown Space Center blasting off in a space shuttle. psychological stresses of
is the epicenter of the museum’s warfare in an enclosed space,
display on space exploration. Transportation and see over 200 original
Here, you can view the Apollo 8 artifacts. The exhibition also
Command Module – the first Pick a mode of transport – tells the incredible story of how
manned spacecraft to circle the from train, plane, to the massive U-Boat was
moon, orbiting ten times in automobile – and you can transported to Illinois. Visitors
December 1968. Less than 13 ft be sure the museum has an who wish to take a guided,
(4 m) in diameter and weighing outstanding example. on-board tour must purchase
13,100 lb (6,000 kg), the vessel Train-nostalgia buffs will an exhibit ticket.
still bears the scars of its epic enjoy the All Aboard the Closer to earth is the
journey on its pitted exterior. Silver Streak exhibit, which Transportation Gallery’s Spirit of
The exhibit includes a replica showcases the first diesel- America, the first car to break the
of NASA’s Apollo Lunar Module electric, streamlined passenger 500 mph (800 kph) land speed
Trainer, used for astronaut train in America, the Pioneer barrier. On October 15, 1964,
training, and a 6.5-oz (185-g) Zephyr. Built in 1934, the Craig Breedlove became the
piece of moon rock retrieved Zephyr was the swiftest, “fastest man on wheels” when he
by the Apollo 17 mission. sleekest train in the US, piloted this missile-like vehicle to
The Space Center is also initiating the conversion spectacular speeds, and skidded
home to the Aurora 7 Mercury from steam to diesel-electric into a pond at 200 mph (300
Space Capsule, one of the locomotion and ushering in kph) but emerged unhurt. The
earliest manned spacecrafts to the era of luxury passenger rail stunt also earned a place in The
orbit the Earth – doing so four travel. The Zephyr’s interior was Guinness Book of World Records
times in a row in May 1962. dramatically different from the for the longest set of skidmarks.
opulent Pullman cars in use at
the time (see p121) yet just as
elegant in its simplicity. Visitors
can get behind the controls
and pretend to drive this
historic train.
The museum also has one of
the largest train models in the
world. The 3,500-sq-ft (325-sq-m)
Henry Crown Space Center, showcasing US model highlights the role of the The Entry Hall, the popular Silver Streak
space exploration railroad in the US economy. train in the background

110-111_EW_Chicago.indd 110 13/07/16 3:00 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Flashmap follow-on template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.5)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm