Discover the Impact of Science Fiction on Our Reality: Explore the Sci-Fi and Sci-Fact Exhibition!

If you’re in Albuquerque, check out the Sci-Fi & Sci-Fact exhibition at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. It runs until June and dives into the exciting ways science fiction and real science intersect. You can find more details on the museum’s website.

This unique exhibit originated from the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo and has been captivating visitors since its debut. It showcases memorabilia from books, movies, and TV shows, illustrating how sci-fi has inspired real-life inventions and future innovations.

One fascinating display highlights ideas from literature that later became reality. For instance, the term “TASER” comes from Victor Appleton’s 1911 novel “Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle.” Other items trace back to classic works like Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” which inspired defibrillators, and Edward Bellamy’s “Looking Backward,” which foresaw credit cards. You might even spot modern headphones referenced in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.”

The exhibit includes iconic props like the Communicator from “Star Trek,” which resembles today’s cellphones. It also showcases a “Ceremonial Rebel Trooper” costume from “Star Wars” and a working replica of R2-D2, connecting the dots between beloved sci-fi moments and advancements in technology.

New Mexico’s rich sci-fi history is also a highlight. There’s a section dedicated to local authors like George Harry Stine and Rebecca Roanhorse, celebrating their contributions to the genre. Plus, many famous movies were filmed in New Mexico, starting with “Journey to the Center of the Earth” in 1959 and continuing with modern blockbusters like “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”

The exhibit also explores how sci-fi shapes careers. A recent survey indicated that 69% of people felt sci-fi influenced their job paths and life choices. A side-by-side display of a fictional spaceman and a real astronaut emphasizes their interconnected journeys.

For a cinematic experience, the exhibit features multimedia installations, including the classic film “A Trip to the Moon” and scenes from popular series like “Firefly” and “Battlestar Galactica.”

Ultimately, the Sci-Fi & Sci-Fact exhibition offers a look at how our past has shaped the future. It leaves visitors pondering what comes next in our ever-evolving story.