Museum of Science and Industry: This old heart gets an upgrade

 

It's the end of an era. The famous "Giant Heart" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry was officially taken apart last year. Too refresh your memory, here is WGN's Larry Rhoderick with a story from 1988 after the classic exhibit underwent a major renovation.


 

The old heart beats no more. In its place is a technological marvel - a 14 foot 3D beating heart that uses state of the art projectors to bring our essential organ to life. Another key feature of the new heart? Interactivity. You can grab the sensors at the pulse station and watch the mammoth vessels thump along with your actual heartbeat. When it's finished, it will also be able to simulate a heart attack, and various other electrical firings that happen inside its chambers. Overall it's a big step up technologically from the previous version.

The Chicago Tribune's William Mullen had a great piece about the new heart in today's paper. Just as notable were a few of the comments from readers - upset that a piece of their childhood nostalgia was gone. Museum staff told me the old heart was simply impossible to keep. It was built around a column that had to be removed, and as they tried to pry it free, it was crumbling to bits. After 50 plus years in existence, the heart wasn't as strong as it used to be. Sound familiar?

The museum took the heart apart and gave the remaining pieces to family members and significant others of the people who originally built it. So the "Giant Heart" does indeed beat on, in the rightful hands of the people who created lasting memories for millions of Chicagoans.

After looking at the new heart and testing out its features, I believe it's a positive change. Today's youth will be able to take more away from this heart - it's the next best thing to looking into somebody's chest. While the old heart definitely had its merits, with today's technology it seemed extremely dated. It's too bad they couldn't keep them both. They assured me they tried their best. I'm satisfied with that.

But how do you feel about this development? Do you think the change is warranted, or do you think the museum has made a major gaffe in getting rid of an iconic piece of Chicago nostalgia? Leave a comment and let me know!