Where Humans and Technology Meet: Smithsonian Hosts Public Program Exploring Inventions That Aid, Augment and Extend Our Lives

11/13/2003

From: Paul Rosenthal of the Smithsonian Institution, 202-633-3656 (media calls only)

News Advisory:

-- Cyborgs, Scholars and Skeletons Contribute to Inventing Ourselves: Exploring the Enhancement of Human Beings Through Invention, November 14-15

The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation hosts Inventing Ourselves, a two-day symposium exploring past, present and future ways in which minds, bodies and invention combine to extend human physical and mental abilities. The program begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14 with Flesh v. Machines. Rodney Brooks of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of the acclaimed book, "Flesh and Machines: How Robots Will Change Us," will look at the line that separates the living from the non-living-a line that some believe is changing. Also included in the Inventing Ourselves schedule is Stan Winston, the Academy Award-winning special-effects wizard behind the "Terminator" movies, "Jurassic Park," "Edward Scissorhands," "Aliens," and more. Museum visitors can also meet Yorick, a human skeleton equipped with a variety of implanted medical devices highlighting a full range of technologies designed to enhance our lives.

"Inventing Ourselves will stimulate thought and raise questions about the growing symbiosis between humans and machines by focusing on personal technologies such as implants and assistive devices in many forms," said Arthur Molella, director of the Lemelson Center. "From laser eye surgery on the consumer level, to cloning and gene therapy in the laboratory, advances and inventions are introduced rapidly, and in some cases without comprehensive discussion to bring greater understanding to their effects."

Through talks, hands-on activities for the family, popular films, demonstrations and more, the symposium will bring together practitioners and historians to explore the connections between humans and the inventions meant to enhance their lives. Program highlights include:

Flesh v. Machines, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.

What separates living from non-living matter? Rodney Brooks offers his perspective as director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of the book, "Flesh and Machines: How Robots Will Change Us." Anne Foerst, theologian and former research scientist from MIT comments.

Cyborgs Among Us, Nov. 15, 11 a.m.

What are cyborgs? Are they real? How long have they been around? Historian Edward Tenner conducts a virtual interview with University of Toronto professor Steve Mann, often called the world's first cyborg.

Science Fiction/Science Fact, Nov. 15, 2 p.m.

Stan Winston, the Academy Award-winning special-effects wizard behind the "Terminator" trilogy, "Jurassic Park," "Edward Scissorhands," "Aliens," and more, takes us behind the scenes of his work for Hollywood in creating real-life "sociable robots."

Extrasensory You Workshop: Multigenerational Activity Nov. 15, 1 - 3:30 p.m.

How would you extend one of your senses or invent an entirely new way of perceiving the world? Invent your future bionic self at this hands-on workshop for children and their adult companions.

Meet Yorick, the Bionic Skeleton, Nov. 15, noon and 2 p.m.

See Yorick, a human skeleton equipped with a variety of implanted medical devices, and talk with experts about the technologies, including a pacemaker.

Inventors' Expo, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Student inventors from various universities demonstrate creations that enhance physical abilities.

All programs are free to the public, but tickets are required for the Nov. 14 program with Rodney Brooks. All events take place on the first floor of the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, 14th St. and Constitution Ave. NW.

The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center is dedicated to exploring invention in history and encouraging inventive creativity in young people. The Center is supported by the Lemelson Foundation, a private philanthropy established by one of the country's most prolific inventors, Jerome Lemelson and his family. The Lemelson Center is in the National Museum of American History. The museum is located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://www.si.edu/lemelson.