50 Years: Onward and Upward
Summary
This episode explores the National Air and Space Museum’s decade-long "Transformation" project, triggered by structural flaws discovered after a 2011 earthquake. Guests discuss replacing crumbling stone veneers, conserving fragile artifacts like WWII recognition models, and redesigning galleries to be more interactive and inclusive. The series concludes by previewing new additions, including the Basel’s Learning Center and an expansion at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
Topics discussed
Introduction to the museum's 50th anniversary
Construction shortcuts and budget constraints
Earthquake damage and structural issues
The Transformation project overview
Balancing schedule, budget, and quality
Reimagining all gallery spaces
Conserving fragile WWII recognition models
New interactive and accessible exhibits
Focusing on human stories and careers
East End addition and Bezos Learning Center
New observatory and astronomy park
Udvar-Hazy Center expansion plans
Looking ahead to the next 50 years
Credits and closing remarks
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