After months of digitizing parts of its collection, the Smithsonian Museum has finally invited the world to view and print their own pieces of history. In partnership with Autodesk, the Smithsonian has created x3D Explorer, a piece of software that will allow anyone across the globe to interact with, explore and even print items in the museum’s collection.
So far, the Smithsonian’s digitization project has scanned a number of the museums famous pieces, including the Wright brothers’ first airplane, a cast of President Lincoln’s face, a woolly mammoth’s skeleton and one of Amelia Earhart’s flight suits.
With those models under its belt, the museum is looking to raise some $15 million to move their digitization project from a warehouse in suburban Maryland to a new “innovation center” planned for the National Mall in Washington D.C.
At this new center the Smithsonian’s digitization team would continue their work scanning all 137 million objects in the museum’s collection. In addition, the center would allow the public to view the scanning process and create 3D prints of available models. Beyond just watching the scanning process take place, the museum’s curators are also beginning to experiment with projection and augmented reality exhibits; hoping to further immerse visitors in the education and exploratory aspects of the museum.
All told, the Smithsonian’s investment in cutting edge technology, like 3D scanning and 3D printing, is placing the World’s largest museum squarely in the 21st century; a position which should help scholars and curious minds alike see the past in a way they never have before.
Images and Video Courtesy of The Smithsonian and AP