The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is celebrating their 75th anniversary this year and continuing the tradition of Christmas around the world. Celebrated with trees decorated to represent nations and cultures across the globe. We were proud to be chosen to take part by creating ornaments to celebrate unique exhibits at the museum to decorate the 45 foot tall central tree.

With the theme "75 Years of Memories," Production Plus was challenged to represent iconic exhibits in miniature. The times represent the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition Palace of Fine Art (which now houses the Museum of Science and Industry) to a United Airlines Boeing 727 (a 3 engine jet built from 1960-1984) to the many many innovations and wondrous inventions in-between.

The first ornament on the tree is a representation of the original 1893 Palace of Art. This building currently houses the MSI in Chicago and has undergone many changes over the 75 years that the MSI has inhabited the building. The dramatic columns and dome, and greek inspired architecture of this building make it iconic and immediately recognizable as a place of learning and discovery.

The second ornament is a coal car (complete with pick) representing an exhibit that has been a permanent part of the Museum since 1933. The coal car celebrates the Coal Mine that for 75 years has transported visitors from the splendor of the museum into the deep heart of an actual coal mine, representing both traditional coal mining of days past to the modern computer controlled mining operations of today.

Straight out of 1934 a gleaming silver Zephyr is the third ornament, in honor of the "Silver Streak" a Pioneer Zypher that took a dawn-to-dusk race from Denver to Chicago on May 26, 1934.  This diesel powered, stainless steel train now resides on the first floor of the MSI and has been at the museum since 1960.

A Boeing 727 takes flight as the fourth ornament, a representation of the 3 engine jet that served United Airlines before finding a place in the transportation gallery of the MSI. This versatile and reliable jet was the first "tri jet" airplane introduced for commercial service. This jet was in production for 2 decades and proved to be one of the most significant airplanes in transportation history.

The final ornament a hatching egg in honor of the chicken hatchery in the genetics exhibit, a reminder of the present and future of genetic research and the ultimate promises genetic research has to offer.

Each ornament represents a piece of our past and the future of science and industry in Chicago and the world. We couldn't be happier to have had a hand in helping the Museum of Science and Industry deck the halls of their great institution and in celebrating 75 Years of inspiring and educating visitors.

See the Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, From November 14th through January 4th, 2009.

For more information on creating unique elements for your next event contact us at Production Plus 630 325-9666.