SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention

Situated in the heart of Bellingham, Washington, the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is a treasure trove for anyone fascinated by the evolution of electrical technology. This interactive museum is a hub of educational experiences that cater to visitors of all ages, offering a compelling journey through the history of electricity, radio, and their profound impact on human civilization.

The Origins of the SPARK Museum

The SPARK Museum's story began modestly in 1985 with Jonathan Winter, a Bellingham resident with a passion for collecting vintage radios and electrical artifacts. His collection, which started as a personal hobby, soon grew into an extensive array of over 800 radio sets, spare parts, schematics, recordings, and vintage magazines. By 1998, this impressive collection laid the foundation for the Bellingham Antique Radio Museum.

In 2001, the museum was renamed the American Museum of Radio and Electricity and moved into a spacious 23,000-square-foot facility. This new phase saw the addition of John Jenkins, a former Microsoft executive, as co-curator. Jenkins brought with him a significant collection of early wireless and electrical devices, along with rare books by pioneering scientists such as Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, and Benjamin Franklin. In 2012, the museum adopted its current name, the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention, reflecting its broader focus on electrical innovations.

Exploring the Museum's Collections

The SPARK Museum's collections are meticulously curated to illustrate the milestones in the history of electricity and radio. The exhibits are divided into several key sections:

• Dawn of the Electrical Age (1600–1800): This section explores the early experiments and discoveries that laid the groundwork for modern electrical science.
• Electricity Sparks Invention (1800–1900): Here, visitors can witness the rapid advancements in electrical technology during the 19th century.
• The Beginning of Radio and the Wireless Era (1863–1920): This exhibit showcases the birth of radio technology and its initial applications.
• Radio Enters the Home (1920–1927): Discover how radio became a household staple, transforming entertainment and communication.
• The Golden Age of Radio (1928–1950): Relive the heyday of radio broadcasting with a collection of iconic radios and memorabilia.

Notable Exhibits

The SPARK Museum boasts a plethora of fascinating exhibits that captivate and educate visitors. Some of the highlights include:

• War of the Currents Exhibit: Featuring unique artifacts from the historic rivalry between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, this exhibit includes a working replica of Tesla's Egg of Columbus.
• Titanic Radio Room: A meticulous reproduction of the Titanic's radio room, complete with original Marconi wireless apparatus, offering a poignant glimpse into maritime communication history.
• Early Automated Musical Instruments: Marvel at the ingenuity of 19th-century automated musical instruments that played music without human intervention, alongside a selection of early phonographs.
• Theremin Exhibit: Try your hand at playing a 1929 theremin or a modern Moog Theremin, experiencing the eerie, otherworldly sounds of this unique instrument.
• Atwater Kent Breadboard Radios: Admire a complete collection of these iconic early radios, showcasing the evolution of radio technology.
• Spartin Visionola Home Entertainment Center: One of the few remaining examples of this early home entertainment system, which combined a radio, movie projector, and phonograph for synchronized sound and visuals.
• 19th Century Electromagnetic Apparatus: Explore one of the largest collections of early electromagnetic devices in the country, including telegraphs, telephones, electric motors, dynamos, and induction coils.
• Electric Lighting Collection: See several lamps from Thomas Edison's laboratory and other early electric lighting apparatus.
• MegaZapper Tesla Coil: Witness the awe-inspiring power of the MegaZapper, an 8-foot-tall Tesla coil that generates 4 million volts of electricity, featured in the museum's thrilling Electrical Show.
• Historic Telephones and Radios: View significant artifacts like a Collins 1909 wireless telephone, a 1915 telephone used in the first transcontinental call, and a working RCA CT-100 television.

Educational Programs and Community Engagement

The SPARK Museum is not just a repository of historical artifacts; it is also a vibrant center for education and community engagement. The museum's outreach program supplements the regular science curriculum of schools in Western Washington with assemblies, in-class courses, and special focus tours. Additionally, the community education program offers Science Saturday classes, summer camps, lectures, and special events that delve into the core principles of radio, electricity, and physics.

Hands-on classes cover topics such as static electricity, magnetism, motors, circuits, and crystal radios, providing practical learning experiences for students of all ages. In 2018 alone, the SPARK education program reached nearly 2,000 students, fostering a new generation of curious minds and future innovators.

Special Events and Lectures

The SPARK Museum hosts a variety of special events and lectures that attract enthusiasts and scholars alike. Past events have included the Chuckanut Radio Hour, the Midnight Mystery Players, the Art of Jazz Series, and the Bellingham Robot Festival. Notable lectures by Museum President John Jenkins have covered topics such as the roots of radio, the untold stories of the telephone and telegraph, and the infamous War of the Currents.

In conclusion, the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is a must-visit destination for anyone intrigued by the history and future of electrical technology. Its rich collections, engaging exhibits, and dynamic educational programs make it a beacon of learning and discovery in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are a history buff, a science enthusiast, or simply looking for an enlightening experience, the SPARK Museum promises a journey that will ignite your curiosity and spark your imagination.