Celebrating ‘Burgh’s pop culture past

Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation Sen. John Heinz History Center Strip District Open… Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation Sen. John Heinz History Center Strip District Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 412-454-6000 Throughout the past 250 years, Pittsburgh has been home to innovations in technology, art, medicine, industry, education, sports and entertainment. And to celebrate the city’s anniversary, the Senator John Heinz History Center is squeezing all that history into one exhibition ‘mdash; one exhibition that takes up 16,000 square feet. Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation features the hundreds of people and inventions originating in Pittsburgh that have helped to improve our world. The long-term exhibition chronicles Pittsburgh’s groundbreaking journey from its earliest days up through the 21st century, including more than 50 hands-on interactive displays, life-size recreations of influential Pittsburghers and artifacts on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibition tells the story of the city from its early beginnings through the Lewis and Clark expedition, to its role in the Civil War and the impact that it has had on major industries.’ ‘We’ve actually been working on this for five or more years,’ said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the History Center. Adding that the Pittsburgh 250 was the perfect time to launch it, he emphasized that there is ‘a lot more to the innovation story than just technology.’ Masich believes that Pittsburgh’s geographic location isolated by the Allegheny Mountains and nestled between the three rivers fostered natives’ ‘can-do’ spirit. ‘Pittsburghers had to rely on ingenuity. That engendered a kind of spirit that we still see today,’ he said. As guests walk through the exhibit they can view an 8-foot model of ‘Vin Fizz,’ the first airplane to make a transcontinental flight, have a synthetic interview with George Westinghouse, revel in George Ferris’ revolving wheel and hear music from jazz pioneers at a recreation of Pittsburgh’s premier jazz club, the Crawford Grill.’ In addition to hands-on activities, life-size replicas of legendary Pittsburghers are sprinkled throughout the exhibit. Guests can come face-to-face with steel tycoon and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, iconic Westinghouse Electric worker ‘Rosie the Riveter’ and the world’s first voice-activated robot, Elektro the Moto-Man and his dog Sparko. The 7-foot-tall Elektro, built for the 1939 World’s Fair, could identify colors, count and was even equipped with billows in order to give him the ability to smoke cigarettes.’ Additionally, because the History Center is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum, it had its pick of 144 million objects and specimens to borrow for the display. Artifacts like George Washington’s peace pipe used in Western Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War and the first transmitter from KDKA Radio are showcased, bringing a sense of authenticity to the exhibit.’ The exhibition also takes a peak at innovations in arts, entertainment and food, like the invention of McDonald’s Big Mac and the more recent inception of Heinz Company’s wide-mouth ketchup bottle. ‘It’s a broader experience of the story of innovation than people would expect,’ said the exhibition’s lead curator, Anne Madarasz. ‘I think it’s a great exhibit for people who are new to the region,’ added Ned Schano, director of communications for the museum. ‘People who were born and raised here will feel a sense of pride as they walk out of the exhibit.’ ‘One innovation that will surprise people,’ said Masich, ‘is the first professional football game.’ The game, held in 1892 here in Pittsburgh with the Allegheny Athletic Association facing off against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, is considered by sports historians to be the first professional football game because one player was paid $500 for this grudge match. Additionally, students will find the museum’s displays particularly interesting because of the connections to the University of Pittsburgh ‘mdash; from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center advances such as Jonas Salk and the Polio vaccine to the first successful liver transplant by Thomas Starzl. Pitt’s sports history is also well documented. KDKA’s first radio play-by-play broadcast of a football game was a Pitt victory over West Virginia University. And the Cathedral of Learning is recognized as the first educational skyscraper. Looking to the future, the exhibit features Pittsburgh robotics, medicine and higher education that will continue to impact the region and the world. Also, Pittsburgh is a leader in environmentally friendly building ‘mdash; guests can visit a model of a ‘House of Today’ featuring green building techniques and inventions that will continue to improve our lives throughout the course of this century. College students can view Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation for free with a Pitt ID, but what can they expect to take away from the exhibit? ‘Everyone is going to walk out of there feeling proud of the region,’ said Schano. But Masich said he hopes that this exhibition goes one step further. ‘They’ll find stories that will inspire them to innovate themselves. People in college today are going to be our leaders.’