OMSI and the da Vinci exhibit

Cody and I have been learning about Leonardo da Vinci for the last couple of months and as a happy coincidence, we learned that a world renowned exhibit on da Vinci was getting ready to open at OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). The cherry on top was when we found out that OMSI was holding 2 Educator Nights - free entrance for educators and their families, which happened to coincide with the opening of the exhibit. And since we went early, we had the place almost to ourselves for the first 2 hours. It was FABULOUS!

I had hoped to snap a ton of photos, only to find that no cameras were allowed in the exhibit, so you'll just have to use your imaginations ;)

They had reproductions of some of his codex's and many of his drawings, and life size reproductions of his art. We all tried our hand at mirror writing, which was how he wrote all of his papers.

One of the coolest parts of the exhibit was the reproductions of actual machines that he invented. There were some smaller scale models, but most were actual size. They were hand built by Italian artisans based on his actual sketches. Included were a wood framed parachute, a wooden tank, and even an all wood bicycle!
(photo courtesy of Photobucket)


But I think my favorite part was the Mona Lisa section. A French photographer invented a special high resolution camera and was allowed to photograph the painting out of its frame. Not only did the photos reveal the original pigment colors (they were much brighter than the current shades), but they also revealed that she did originally have eyebrows and eyelashes.

After we got done with that exhibit, we roamed the other areas of the museum. One of their favorite stops is the rockets. Frankly, they'd probably spend their whole visit happily shooting these off. Boys.

Eventually we wandered over to the earthquake house. In this, you get to experience a simulation of two different earthquakes that struck the pacific northwest - a 5.6 and a 6.8. See hubby's head poking up on the right? That was his idea of letting me take a picture of him!

We finished the exhibits inside a replica of a Gemini space capsule. What Mike should have taken a picture of was me trying to get out of the damned thing! I'm 5'5" (or hobbit size, as my 5'7" kid often tells me ;) and I could hardly get out. I have *no idea* how you'd get out of it in a space suit!

We finished of the evening with the IMAX movie "Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs". Cody learned about mummies, and I learned that 6,532 sq. ft. of screen space is just too much for my little ol' eyes to see without going buggy!