Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago recently celebrated the redesign of its legacy Take Flight exhibit after inviting Roto to fully re-imagine and expand the historic gallery into an immersive experience centered on modern aviation and the science of flight.
“It was definitely time for a refresh and to tell a new, modern story,” explained Jeff Buonomo, a museum spokesman, at the exhibit’s opening.
The museum’s 1964 United Airlines Boeing 727 – named in honor of Captain Willian Norwood, United’s first African-American pilot -- spent nearly 3 decades suspended high in the air, wowing guests down on the main floor.
“United’s 727 airplane has been a one-of-a-kind sight that has amazed millions of guests. We’re excited to showcase the plane in a new way that highlights modern advances in aviation,” said MSI President and CEO Chevy Humphrey.
As part of this modernization, the plane was taken down from the ceiling and stripped to its core before brought back to life. Roto’s work turned the historic plane into a multi-sensory invitation to step back in time to an era of early jet travel while fully understanding the sensation of flight through a spectrum of modern technologies.
"In addition to demo’ing the inside of MSI’s historic plane, we had to imagine innovative ways to modernize such a beloved legacy exhibit embedded with modern technologies purposefully embodying the experience of flying generations ago," said Jeff Pecchio, Roto’s VP of Fabrication.
"One of the biggest challenges we faced," Jeff continued, "after we took everything out of the plane, was to figure out how to re-use all that we pulled out in addition to integrating new materials, new plastics, etc. And we had to get it all back together to look like an authentic 1964 727."
Onboard, passengers can understand the science behind what happens to your body in flight. This includes highlighting the sensations of turbulence, high altitudes, dehydration, ear-popping, even jetlag, as well as ways to overcome them whether as a pilot or as a passenger.
The MSI and Roto team additionally wanted guests to ‘feel’ the full mid-60’s experience when passengers were truly guests, not just flyers. This included designing ways for museum visitors to sit in vintage tangerine cloth seats, to hear the retro sounds of swing band musician Les Baxter on the cabin’s speakers, to be reminded by the overhead hat rack that one ‘dressed up’ for flights back in the day, and to even imagine being able to order a lobster cocktail or prime rib from the historic coach menu. Ashtrays – a mainstay of passenger seats in that era – were purposefully not included, however.
A particular highlight includes the opportunity to sit inside the newly, refurbished cockpit to understand air traffic systems and pilot controls. Retired pilots volunteer at the museum to further enhance the guest’s understanding of what it takes to fly such a remarkable plane.
Roto’s team developed and fabricated a series of brand-new interactives to bring the historic jet age into the modern era. The skin of the plane was pulled back to give guests a first-hand view of how mechanical, electronic, and hydraulic systems work. Visitors can view the wings, engines, landing gear, and the oft-mysterious black box. And the floor beneath passenger seats was replaced with glass to help visitors discover where luggage goes on the plane
As passengers exit the plane, they are greeted by a vibrant, interactive 150-foot mural. This display highlights complex systems of aircraft construction, the dramatic takeoff experience, how flights and passengers are tracked around the world, and the wide variety of aviation careers one could have.
