Join Curator of History Michele Nielsen at 2pm on Friday, February 20 for a gallery walk though the new exhibit, “Gadgets and Gizmos, inventing the modern world,” at the San Bernardino County Museum.

Nielsen will share with visitors a few unique and fun gadgets and gizmos that are not on display in the exhibit. She will also discuss the role that consumerism played in the demand for gadgets, and the influence of electricity on people’s perception of technology.

“Today, our society loves gadgets and gizmos, electronic or otherwise,” said Nielsen. “Think about all of the ‘equipment of life’ that you use in a day. Some of it may be high tech, some low tech. In many cases, we are using different tools, but doing the same things people did in the past.”    

 “Gadgets and Gizmos: inventing the modern world,” is a new special exhibit that will open on February 14 and run through November 1, 2009. The exhibit features objects from the museum history collections that illustrate how inventions and innovations from the dawn of the industrial age to the 1950s reflect changes in social structures and expectations for a “modern” lifestyle.

“Inventors of the past and the present find a need for a tool or piece of equipment to accomplish a task efficiently, and create something that fulfills that need,” continued Nielsen. “Each of us has the power to create something useful. Visit ‘Gadgets and Gizmos,’ and go ‘Back to the Drawing Board’ for a chance to design your own ‘must have’ invention, and enjoy looking at what others have come up with.”

San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 (adult), $5 (student or senior), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.

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