Science & Technology Cafe: Into an Electric World

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Date/Time:Thursday, 21 Oct 2021 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Location:Zoom
Cost:Free
URL:www.museums.iastate.edu
Contact:
Phone:515-294-3342
Channel:University Museums
Categories:Arts, performances Lectures Live Green
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Using materials from the Smithsonian collections, Dr. Hal Wallace takes a walk through history, discussing cultural, economic, and social consequences of electric lighting and electrification.

Life requires light, and people throughout history invented many ways to illuminate their environments. About 150 years ago, they began using electricity to generate light, fundamentally changing our long relationship with artificial lighting. People chose to adopt electric lighting because of its convenience. That choice, reinforced by choices made since, created a society dependent on electricity. Cheap and plentiful artificial lighting is now in a real sense invisible, typically noticed only when it fails. Using materials from the Smithsonian collections, this presentation takes a walk through history, discussing cultural, economic, and social consequences of electric lighting and electrification.

Dr. Hal Wallace is Curator of Electricity Collections at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Program offered in conjunction with Flicker and Flame: Whale Oil and Kerosene Lamps at the Farm House Museum


REGISTER ONLINE
Registration encouraged but not required. To receive the Zoom link, either register online or check the University Muesums calendar event later.

Program made possible through the generous support of the Kathy and John Howell Art Enrichment Program.