September 18, 2024
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The Franklin Institute's new 'Body Odyssey' exhibit takes visitors on a journey through the nuances of the human anatomy. It opens Sunday, Nov. 23. Above, a rendering shows visitors interacting with a kiosk to listen to their own heartbeats from the Giant Heart.
The Giant Heart at the Franklin Institute has a return date.
The beloved model is the centerpiece of one of two new exhibits opening at the museum on Sunday, Nov .23. The exhibit, called "Body Odyssey," takes people through the human body by using "ultramodern simulations" and other immersive technology. For instance, the Giant Heart now allows visitors to listen to their own heartbeat pulse from the model.
The Giant Heart, which has been at the museum since 1954, temporarily closed in May in preparation for the "Body Odyssey" exhibit. Another exhibit centered around electricity also closed and will be incorporated "Body Odyssey," too. The new $8.5 million exhibit, which spans 8,500 square feet, explores biological systems, biotech innovations and personal health.
The other new exhibit is the Hamilton Collections Gallery, which includes several rare artifacts from the museum's collection that highlight innovations in technology, like film projectors, Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod and wing models from the Wright brothers.
The gallery's centerpiece is the 350-ton Baldwin 60000 Locomotive, which has been at the museum since 1933. Visitors can climb into the locomotive, which is suspended on a cutaway floor and supported by a steel and concrete railroad bridge structure.
The new gallery takes up 3,500 square feet and cost $12 million, with $8.1 million being contributed by The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust.
The new exhibits joins the "Wonderous Space" exhibit, which opened last November and contains artifacts and interactive activities revolving around outer space. The opening of the exhibits will conclude the 200th anniversary celebration of the Franklin Institute.
