Miami, FL, Aug. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HistoryMiami Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate in Downtown Miami, announced today the revolutionary Spitz projector that brought the galaxy to Miami audiences for decades at the former Miami Science Museum is now on view at HistoryMiami.
The beloved giant Spitz Model B Space Transit Projector is one of only 12 made and consists of 5,600 holes, many so small they are invisible to the naked eye. Its sheer size, standing nearly 14 feet high, wowed Miami audiences for years before it was retired in 2015 when the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science shut its doors and moved to its new facility in Museum Park. Now it shines bright in Miami once again.
“This projector has a fascinating history here in South Florida. For six decades it allowed Miamians to immerse themselves in outer space. We are thrilled to preserve it and shine a new light on its history,” HistoryMiami Museum Executive Director Jorge Zamanillo said. “This is a true wonder of technology and a beloved artifact in the Miami community. We know it will continue to awe audiences for years to come.”
The projector, which cost the science museum $131,825 in 1963 (more than $1 million in today's dollars), was the first of its kind to be computer-controlled. The projector rotated on three axes and was capable of projecting the stars from any point in the solar system—giving visitors a view of the night sky that they had previously never experienced.
“The Spitz projector at our former location in Coconut Grove was beloved by those that visited and we are honored this piece of history has found a new home in Miami,” said Frank Steslow, President & CEO at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. “We thank the team at HistoryMiami for their support and hope the projector will continue to inspire and motivate generations to come.”
Along with the projector, visitors will view posters from the shows presented at the Space Transit Planetarium during the 1960s and 1970s.
HistoryMiami Museum is supported by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museum, HistoryMiami is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
Museum Hours & Fees: Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 5:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday, closed.
Regular museum admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students with ID, $5 for children 6-12, and free for museum members and children under 6.
About HistoryMiami Museum:
HistoryMiami Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is the premier cultural institution committed to gathering, organizing, preserving and celebrating Miami’s history as the unique crossroads of the Americas. We accomplish this through education, collections, research, exhibitions, publications and City Tours. Located in the heart of downtown Miami, HistoryMiami Museum is a 70,000 square foot facility and home to more than one million historical images and 30,000 three-dimensional artifacts, including a 1920’s trolley car, artifacts from Pan American World Airways, and rafts that brought refugees to Miami. For more information, call 305-375-1492 or visit historymiami.org . HistoryMiami Museum is located at 101 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130.
About the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science):
Located in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a leading science museum dedicated to sharing the power of science, sparking wonder and investigation, and fueling innovation for the future. Sitting on four acres, the 250,000-square-foot museum is divided into four buildings: the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and the North and West Wings. At Frost Science, visitors can explore the world of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in an experiential setting with interactive exhibitions and unique shows. Frost Science is supported by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County. This project is supported by the Building Better Communities Bond Program and the City of Miami. It is sponsored, in part, by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers. Learn more at frostscience.org . Follow Frost Science on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @frostscience.
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Michele Reese HistoryMiami Museum 3053751492 mreese@historymiami.org
