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The Franklin Institute Science Museum
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The most recognizable part of The Franklin Institute to the public is The Franklin Institute Science Museum. In the spirit of inquiry and discovery embodied by Benjamin Franklin, the mission of The Franklin Institute is to inspire an understanding of and passion for science and technology learning.
After vacating its 7th Street building, in 1934 the Institute opened at its current location on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Exhibits on display cover several subjects such as science and industry, physics, astronomy and history. A popular Philadelphia landmark is the Budd BB-1 plane in front of the museum, designed by Enea Bossi and built by the Edward F. Budd Manufacturing Corporation; the plane has been on display there since 1935.
Current attractions include:
The Tuttleman IMAX Theater
Large-scale walk-through human heart
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Mandell Center
This is a large space designed to house travelling exhibits at the museum. It has an upper level and a lower level, which can house either a single large exhibit or two smaller ones. As of October 2006, the upper level had on display an exhibit about Charles Darwin and evolution, while the lower level was housing an Animal Grossology exhibit.
Some notable exhibits of the past have been:
Tutankhamen coming in February
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National Memorial
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial features a 20 foot high statue, sculpted by James Earle Fraser, that sits within the rotunda of the Institute. Congress designated the memorial on October 25, 1972. On December 30, 2005, Congress authorized the Institute to receive up to $10,000,000 in matching grants for the rehabilitation of the memorial and for the development of related exhibits.
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The Benjamin Franklin Awards
Since 1824 the Franklin Institute has issued one of the oldest and most prestigious awards for the fields of Science and Technology. The Awards Ceremony takes place at the end of a week-long celebration in April. A committee of academics and industry professionals determine the
winners of the awards. Current Awards include: Chemistry, Computer and Cognitive Science, Earth Science, Engineering, Life Science, and Physics.
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Trivia
On March 31, 1940, press agent William Castellini issued a press release stating that the world would end the next day. The story was picked up by KYW, which reported, "Your worst fears that the world will end are confirmed by astronomers of Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. Scientists predict that the world will end at 3 P.M. Eastern Standard Time tomorrow. This is no April Fool joke. Confirmation can be obtained from Wagner Schlesinger, director of the Fels Planetarium of this city." This caused a panic in the city which only subsided when the Franklin Institute assured people it had made no such prediction. Castellini was dismissed shortly thereafter.
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