Transparent Woman (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1954 January 14 - 1954 February 14

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened January 14, 1954 and closed February 14, 1954. Located in Section 2, Floor 1 in the Grand Gallery at the American Museum of Natural History. The Transparent Woman was a life-size plastic model of a woman, which showed an x-ray view of major anatomical systems, organs, and bones.

Summary

The Transparent Woman was a life-size plastic model of a woman, which showed an x-ray view of major anatomical systems, organs, and bones. Made in Cologne, Germany and presented by the Oberlander Trust to the American Museum of Health in New York City, the model was part of a group of material transferred from the American Museum of Health to the American Museum of Natural History. It was exhibited with a companion male figure at the New York World's Fair in 1939 and afterwards in museums in Cleveland and Dallas. The model was later placed in the Hall of the Biology of Man, which was under construction at the time of the Transparent Woman exhibition (1, p. 1-2).

A Museum press release dated January 14, 1954 describes the model:

"Encased in a body of clear acrylic...are a skeleton of case aluminum, complicated networks of colored wires representing the blood, lymphatic and nervous systems, and plastic reproductions of the intestines, heart, lungs and other major organs. Complex electrical wiring will light up various organs...sequence beginning with the brain and working downward."

"During this sequence the model will slowly revolve on her pedestal, making it possible for Museum visitors to view her from all sides. Light bulbs on a panel to the left of the display will be electrically synchronized with the model. As each section of her body lights, a bulb will flash on indicating the name of that anatomical part (1, p. 1-2)."

This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.

Sources

(1) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "Exhibit of Transparent Woman Opens at American Museum of Natural History." January 14, 1954. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Research Library.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Health (New York, N.Y)
Institutional partner (1, p. 1)

American Museum of Natural History. Grand Gallery.
Location of exhibition 1954 January 14 – 1954 February 14; also referred to as the Seventy-Seventh Street Foyer in documentation(1, p. 1)

American Museum of Natural History. Hall of Human Biology.
Transparent Woman was later an exhibit in the Hall of Human Biology, also referred to as the Hall of the Biology of Man (1, p. 2)

New York World's Fair (1939-1940: New York, NY)
Transparent Woman exhibited with male companion figure at 1939 New York World's Fair (1, p. 1-2)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1953-1954: 53.

American Museum of Natural History annual reports, 1902-2001.
"Department of Anthropology Report for Period July 1, 1953 – June 30, 1954." [1954].

American Museum of Natural History Special Collections photographic drawers
Repository: AMNH Special Collections. [Black and white photo prints of exhibition on view]

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"Exhibit of Transparent Woman Opens at American Museum of Natural History." January 14, 1954.

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