BASIC SCIENCES

The 1934 "Offical Handbook" of Basic Sciences is a 184 page guide to the exhibits in the Hall of Science. The Hall of Science also included a theater where motion pictures on scientific subjects were shown. Although the exhibits were divided into groups, it was noted that the various sciences which were once considered separate fields were actually closely related and interdependent. The exhibits were grouped as follows:

Group 1—The Great Hall

Eight basic exhibits were selected on the basis of outstanding importance and interest. The visitor was advised to study these exhibits before visiting the specialized exhibits. These exhibits covered:

1. The Periodic Table of the Elements—A ten foot model of the earth was mounted above a display of 92 elements which make up the earth.
2. Stratosphere Flights—The balloon "Century of Progress" ascended to the stratosphere 11-1/2 miles above the earth on November 20, 1933 in order to make scientific observations and measurements. The flight began in Akron, Ohio and ended eight hours later near Bridgeton, New Jersey.
3. The Geological Time Clock—During a cycle about four minutes in length representing the "passing of time from infinite past to infinite future," the present species of man did not appear until the last few seconds.
4. Model of a Molecule of Table Salt—Two spheres represented a positive ion of sodium and a negative ion of chlorine.Electrons and nuclei were represented by lights.
5. The Gyroscopic Compass—This instrument shown was used as a master compass on a ship. The axle of this type of compass points in the same direction as the axis of the earth's rotation, indicating true North and South, unlike a magnetic compass.
6. Rotating Magnetic Fields—Rotating magnetic fields convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. This principle was also exhibited at the 1893 World's Fair.
7. Heavy Hydrogen and Heavy Water—This was a recent and important discovery.
8. The Growing Twig—An animated model of a linden twig "grew" from three to four years in a few seconds, showing how annual rings are formed and can be used to determine the age of a tree.

Group 2—Mathematics

PHYSICS

Group 3—Molecular Physics

Group 4—Sound and Speech

Group 5—Electromagnetism

Group 6—Electromagnetism

Group 7—Light

Group 8—Color and Rays

The principle of television was demonstrated in an exhibit constructed by M. L. Hayes. The process involved breaking down a picture into elements of light and dark in the transmitter, and then using the same elements to build up the picture in the receiver.

CHEMISTRY

Group 9—Chemical Changes

Group 10—Colloid Chemistry

Group 11—The Chemistry of Petroleum

Group 12—The Chemistry of Rubber

Group 13—The Chemistry of Air

Group 14—Electrochemistry

Group 15—Chemistry of Coal Tar

A German writer predicted in 1910 that "The future belongs to the nation which makes the best use of its coal resources." Among the many products derived from coal tar were explosives, medicines, plastics, dyes, solvents, fertilizers, perfumes, flavors, food preservatives, photographic materials and lacquers.

Group 16—Chemistry of Digestion

A 10-foot tall mechanical man gave a lecture-demonstration every half hour in the Robot Theater. The highlight was a special motion picture which was projected from behind onto the transparent shirt front of the Robot. The picture illustrated various digestive processes whil the Robot described them.

BIOLOGY

Group 17—The Cell—Fundamental Unit of Life

Group 18—Growth of Animals— Embryology

Group 19—Structure and Functions of Human Organs

Group 20—Animal Behavior and the Environment

Group 21—Genetics and Eugenics

Group 22—Oceanography

Group 23—Comparative Anatomy (Vertebrates)

Group 24—Evolution Experimentally Produced

Group 26—Economic Biology

Group 27—Micro-Organisms

Group 28—Distribution of Living Creatures

Group 29—Classification of Plants and Animals

Group 30—Yeast and Fermentation

Group 31—Vitamins

Group 32—Wax, A Biological Product

GEOLOGY

Group 33—Introduction to Geology

Group 34—The Earth

Group 35—Ground Water Phenomena

Group 36—Work of the Wind

Group 37—Work of Running Water

Group 38—Glaciation

Group 39—Volcanism

Group 40—Structural Geology

Group 41—Economic Geology

The American Petroleum Industry sponsored exhibits related to oil which included large replicas of oil drilling rigs. There was also a large diorama of Pennsylvania coal mining in this group.

Group 42—Earth Sciences as Exemplified in the National Parks

Group 43—Results of Three State Surveys

Group 44—Historical Geology

MEDICAL SCIENCE

The "Transparent Man" was the highlight of the medical exhibits. This was a lifesize model of the human body made of a transparent material called cellon which allowed the observer to view internal organs.

EXHIBITS FROM THE GOVERNMENTS OF ITALY AND DENMARK

These exhibits were given to the Rosenwald Museum of Science and Industry and loaned to the Exposition. The Italian exhibits were in three groups: Engineering, Inventions, and Marine Engineering. Danish exhibits illustrated that country's contributions in Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, and Medicine.

Home      Back to Top