Exhibition Overview - Carnegie Science Center

Exhibition Overview:
From schoolyards and mountain trails to bustling city streets – we encounter
bicycles nearly every day. Since its inception in the late nineteenth century,
the bicycle has impacted how people live, work, and play. Its popularity has
only grown over time, and it is as relevant today as it was one hundred years ago.
Because the bicycle is so commonplace, it’s easy to take for granted how it
actually works. The bicycle is an elegant example of basic science principles
– forces and motion, energy, material science. Carnegie Science Center, in
partnership with the Bicycle Museum of America, is proud to present BIKES:
Science on Two Wheels, an exhibition that pays tribute to this remarkable
machine and the science behind it.
This modular (2,500 – 5,000 sq ft) interactive exhibition tells the story of the
bicycle from inception to present-day. Visitors learn how bikes work; what
the history/evolution of the bike is; the science and technology behind the
machine, and how bikes have impacted our culture. Like the bicycle itself, it
has been designed to appeal to people of all ages and with diverse interests,
from STEM to design to history to art.
“BIKES: Science on Two Wheels” is produced and toured by CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER in partnership with The Bicycle Museum of America
Over 40 display bikes in these categories:
Origins
Ancestors of the modern bicycle, such as the Safety Bicycle,
Penny Farthing, and Boneshaker, are featured in this section
of the exhibition, as the evolution of the machine is explored.
Classics (1940s – 1970s)
Due to the growth of automobile ownership in the early 20th
century, most bikes in the 1940s in the United States were
made for children. But by the 1960s and 1970s, increasing
attention to exercise and energy efficient transportation led
to an American bicycle boom with more and more adults
riding. This section features beautiful art deco designs to
‘chopper’ bikes by Schwinn.
Sport Bikes (1970s – Present)
This section will showcase multi-speed cycles from pro
competition to everyday use from the 1970s to today.
Modern high-tech bikes still share their basic design with
the “safety” bicycle of the 1890’s. But the new technologies
are constantly being applied to make bikes lighter, stronger,
and more aerodynamic.
Oddities and Offshoots
Bicycles come in many shapes and sizes, and they can
be customized in endless ways. This display showcases
examples of how an ordinary bicycle can become out-ofthe-ordinary – from tandems to unicycles to clown bikes.
A dozen interactive science exhibits, including:
Hit the Brakes!
Visitors put on the brakes on this spinning disk, using three
different pads to see how materials affect friction.
Bike Body Xylophone
A series of tubes of different materials is ‘played’ by the visitor
as they explore why bikes can be made from different alloys.
Gearbox Box
A framework supporting four sets of bowling balls demonstrates
the energy transfer of gears as visitors lift each set to see
how more pulleys equal less work.
Gear Table
For younger visitors, a simple table of magnetic gears allows
them to experiment with simple interlocking mechanisms of
their own making.
“BIKES: Science on Two Wheels” is produced and toured by CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER in partnership with The Bicycle Museum of America
Exhibition Specifications
• An installation crew of 3 is preferred (2 required)
• Installation time is 2.5 days
• Can be displayed in any space ranging
from 2,500–5,000 Sq Ft.
• There are no excessive power needs
• Show lighting is not provided
• A minimum ceiling height of 9’ is required,
10+ preferred
• A forklift or standard height loading dock
is required for Gearbox Box
Exhibition Schedule (negotiable)
Science Museum of Virginia
May – Sept., 2015
Minnetrista – Muncie, IN
Jan. – April, 2016
Available – *Spring 2016
May – June, 2016
Available – Summer 2016
July – Sept., 2016
Available – Fall 2016
Oct. – Dec., 2016
Available – Winter 2017
Jan. – Mar., 2017
Available – Spring 2017
April – June, 2017
Available – Summer 2017
July – Sept., 2017
*Non-standard length venue
This exhibit is currently booking through Winter 2019.
Please contact for pricing and payment information.
Book Now!
Anthony “Nino” Balistrieri
Traveling Exhibits Coordinator
Phone: 412.237.1511
Cell: 412.865.8330
Email: [email protected]
“BIKES: Science on Two Wheels” is produced and toured by CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER in partnership with The Bicycle Museum of America
Detail Sheet: 45 Bicycles* Included in the Exhibition
Type
Subject
Date
Content Keywords
Section #1 – Origins
Bike #1
Velocipede
1869
Evolution of machine
Bike #2
Child Tricycle
1875
Antique tricycle
Bike #3
Adult Tricycle
1890
Antique tricycle
Bike #4
Columbia Expert (Penny Farthing)
1883
Penny Farthing
Bike #5
Child’s Highwheel
1890
Penny Farthing
Bike #6
Rover safety bicycle
1886
First of modern design
Bike #7
American “Safety” Bicycle
1887
Variation on Safety
Bike #8
Bronco Safety Bicycle
1890
Variation on Safety
Bike #9
Pierce Chainless Bicycle
1900
Driveshaft, not chain
Bike #10
Commercial delivery bike 1915
1915
For deliveries
Bike #11
Dayton Men’s Safety
1922
Precursor to Huffy
Section #2 – Classics
Bike #1
B.F. Goodrich Streamline
1930
Inspired design
Bike #2
Shelby Airflo
1938
Inspired design
Bike #3
Dayton Champion
1940
Balloon tires
Bike #4
Black Phantom
1950
Heavy weight
Bike #5
Sears J.C. Higgins De Luxe
1950
Shock Absorbers
Bike #6
Huffy Radiobike
1955
Vacuum-tube radio
Bike #7
Schwinn Manta-Ray (Sting-Ray)
1974
Inspired design
Bike #8
Schwinn Fair Lady (Sting-Ray)
1974
Inspired design
Bike #9
Schwinn Cycle Truck
1960
Counterbalance
Bike #10
Big Wheel Boys
1970
Low center of gravity
Bike #11
Big Wheel Girls
1970
Low center of gravity
Bike #12
Kids’ Scooters
1970
Scooter family
Bike #13
Red Ingo-cycle
1930
Scooter family
Bike #14
Schwinn Krate
1970
Inspired design
Bike #15
Huffy Bandit
1978
Inspired design
Section #3 – Sport
Bike #1
Track Racing Bike (Schwinn Paramount)
1937
Design Prototype
Bike #2
Japanese Road Bike (Miyata)
1980
Design - drop handlebars
Bike #3
Raleigh Touring Bike
1970
Design - derailleurs, luggage racks, etc.
Bike #4
Schwinn Ontare (Aluminum Racing)
1988
Materials (aluminum)
Bike #5
BMX Bike (Schwinn Z-Force)
1992
Design - small frames, knobby tires
Bike #6
Cannondale hardtail (disc brakes, mtn bike)
2008
Design - “lefty” fork
Section #4 – Offshoots
Bike #1
Wolff Companion Sociable
1899
Design/history
Bike #2
Recumbent Bike (Hyper Cycle)
1980
Design/speed
Bike #3
Unicycle (Schwinn)
1980
Design
Bike #4
Folding Bike (Huffy Touriste)
1982
Design/portable bikes
Bike #5
Raleigh Twenty Folding Bike
1970s
Design/portable bikes
Bike #6
Bamboo Bike
2001
Design/materials
Bike #7
Wavecrest
2005
Design, electric assist motor
Bike #8
Tandem (Schwinn Tango)
2006
Design
Bike #9
UDC Mini Bike
2013
Balance, center of mass
Bike #10
Bowden Spacelander #1
1960
Inspired design
Bike #11 Bowden Spacelander #3
1980
Inspired design
Bike #12
Bowden Spacelander #4
1980
Inspired design
Bike #13
‘Bling’ Bike
2012
Inspired design
*Bicycles in the collection are subject to change.
“BIKES: Science on Two Wheels” is produced and toured by CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER in partnership with The Bicycle Museum of America
Detail Sheet: Interactives Included in the Exhibition
BIKES: Science on Two Wheels features hands-on exhibits
that engage visitors directly in informal science learning.
1. Centripetal Force Seat – Visitors take a seat on a rotating stool,
spin a hand-held bicycle tire, and see how the rotational forces
move them as they turn the tire from a vertical to a horizontal
position.
2. Gearbox Box – A framework supporting four sets of bowling
balls demonstrates the energy transfer of gears as visitors lift
each set to see how more pulleys equal less work.
3. Gear Table – For younger visitors, a simple table of magnetic
gears allows them to experiment with simple interlocking
mechanisms of their own making.
4. Helmet Aerodynamics – Visitors watch three shapes race
through pearlized fluid, seeing which shape’s design is the
most aerodynamic, as it relates to helmet design.
5. Tire Treads – Visitors make their own tread rubbings, as they
study variation in tires for variations in sports and terrain.
6. Coatings/Color Match – Visitors try to identify ‘stop sign red’
from a set of 9 samples, seeing how the brain recalls color.
In an accompanying display, as series of high-tech coatings
samples runs the gamut of color and finishes.
7. Color Mixing Bike – Visitors change the ratio of three colored
lights, to change the apparent color of some miniature bikes,
to see how the eye perceives color, and how colors in the
visible spectrum work.
8. Hit the Brakes! – Visitors put on the brakes on this spinning
disk, using three different pads to see how materials affect
friction.
9. Bike Body Xylophone – A series of tubes of different materials
is ‘played’ by the visitor as they explore why bikes can be made
from so many alloys.
10. Square Wheels – A hand-held ‘bike’ with square wheels can
smoothly traverse terrain made of ellipsoidal hemispheres.
11. Gear Power – A hand-cranked set of gears produces electrical
power, as visitors learn about the transfer of mechanical energy.
12. Chalkboard (Non-interactive) – An ‘old school’ chalkboard
explains the mechanics of bicycles on one side, and the
transfer of energy involved when a rider hits the trail – from
the sun to food to you to the bike!
In addition, a real ‘penny farthing’, clown bike, and unicycle
are provided for use by floor staff demos or as ‘photo ops.’
“BIKES: Science on Two Wheels” is produced and toured by CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER in partnership with The Bicycle Museum of America
^ Wheel Wall ^
^ Exploded Bike(s) ^
Detail Sheet: Sample Floor Plans
Se
at
W
al
lv
Bikes: Science on Two Wheels
3,500 Sq Ft Plans
Fire Stairwell
v
Conceptual floorplan 1
6'
Ramp up
Cafe' Storage 35' x 8'
Ramp to ground floor
O'
< Movie Bikes v
Passenger
Elevator
12'
Ramp to second floor
Se
at
W
al
lv
^ Exploded Bike(s) ^
^ Wheel Wall ^
v
Fire Stairwell
6'
O'
12'
< Movie Bikes v
Bikes: Science on Two Wheels
Conceptual floorplan 2
Ramp up
Cafe' Storage 35' x 8'
Ramp to ground floor
Passenger
Elevator
Ramp to second floor
^ Exploded Bike(s) ^
^ Wheel Wall ^
Se
at
W
al
l
v
Bikes: Science on Two Wheels
v
Fire Stairwell
Conceptual floorplan 2
6'
Ramp up
Cafe' Storage 35' x 8'
Ramp to ground floor
O'
< Movie Bikes v
Passenger
Elevator
12'
Ramp to second floor
Carnegie Science Center Second Floor Traveling Exhibits Gallery
W
al
lv
BIKES: Science on Two Wheels
v
Se
at
5,000 Sq Ft Plans
^ Exploded Bike(s) ^
^ Wheel Wall ^
Fire Stairwell
Big Wheel / Mini-Bike
DRAG RACE
6'
O'
12'
< Movie Bikes v
Grid is 4' x 4''
Blue = Bicycle Displays
0'
5'
10'
15'
“BIKES: Science on Two Wheels” is produced and toured by CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER in partnership with The Bicycle Museum
of America
Scaled
@ 1:200
Scale
Green = Interactives/ Signage
20'