Exhibits at CHF

The Sky's the Limit
6 September 2005 through 24 March 2006

The 1950s and 60s were a time of great optimism in the United States, inspired in large part by the promise of scientific miracles and a space-age future. The Sky’s the Limit, a highly visual exhibit that opened at the Chemical Heritage Foundation on 6 September, looked at post–World War II chemistry through images, archives, and objects. By reflecting on visual representations of the period from about 1952 to 1966, the exhibit explored how both the chemist’s and the public’s view of chemistry was full of optimism and the belief that chemistry’s possibilities were endless.

The exhibit examined such topics as consumerism and the atomic age. In particular, the important impact of polymers was depicted. From laboratory research to home décor and clothing, polymers helped to fuel the post-war consumer revolution and economic boom. The impact of revolutionary chemical instrumentation was also examined.

The Sky’s the Limit featured:

Images, archives, and objects featured in The Sky’s the Limit are from the Chemical Heritage Foundation collections, the Hagley Museum, the Smithsonian, and private collectors.

Pictured at right are just a few of the artifacts which appeared in the exhibit. From top to bottom:

“From Research to Reality, October 1955.” Photograph, General Aniline and Film Corporation. Gift of Hope Zoss.

Porter Chemcraft Senior Chemistry Set #6105, ca. 1957. Made by Porter Chemcraft, Hagerstown, Maryland.

RCA Model EMT3 Desktop Electron Microscope, 1950. Made by Radio Company of America, Camden, New Jersey. Gift of Capital University.

Phonographic record sleeve for the song “Plastic,” 1966. Music and lyrics by Shel Silverstein; sung by the Serendipity Singers. Produced by the Monsanto Chemical Company for the National Plastics Exposition, New York, New York, 1966. Carl Marvel Collection.

All objects are from the Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections. All photographed by Gregory Tobias except “From Research to Reality, October 1955.”