Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois

Pairing fundamental mathematical concepts with interactive displays was integral to the planning of Mathematica. Charles stated that the exhibition “should be of interest to a bright student and not embarrass the most knowledgeable…One of the best kept secrets in science is how unpompous scientists are at their science, and the amount of honest fun that for them is part of it. In doing an exhibition, as in Mathematica, one deliberately tries to let the fun out of the bag.” Pictured here is the entrance to the second version of Mathematica created by the Eames Office and IBM for the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. A model showcase houses forms representing various mathematical principles. Directly behind is the Probability Machine and a graphic panel explaining the law of probability. When visitors push the button of the Probability Machine, 30,000 plastic balls fall through a maze of 200 steel pegs, randomly forming the classic bell curve.