Chicago Field Museum Review

                        A Journey Inside The Center of Eternity

The Chicago Field Museum

Environmental science has two functional systems that can be measured. One is the natural system, and of course, our seven billion people that reside on planet Earth. A good way to study the miracle of life, would be to take a voyage to the Chicago Field Museum and explore the past that may help you understand the future.  For this writing assignment, Dr. Rincon asked me to view the Earth science exhibits and report on fossils, gems and minerals. However, the rock and metals I've researched are Bob Seger and Iron Maiden. This could be far worse than dumb, should this essay include "Old Time Rock-n-Roll" and "Powerslave." But never mind that. The task at hand now, is to impress the good doctor, write a field report on Rockology and to think like a true Geologist.

Upon my arrival at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, I was greeted with a warm welcome by Exhibitions Project Manager,  Susan Neill. We exchanged pleasantries and I mentioned to Ms. Neill that as a young boy, my father would take me to Field Museum, exploring dynamic cultures and seeing amazing animals that once roamed the surface on this spectacular planet some 30,000,000 million years ago.  From dinosaurs to ancient american, one can enjoy the Kenneth and Annd Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet or take a trip back in time to the Ancient America some 13,000 years ago. Experiencing the Ice-Age world of a frozen tundra as hunters and gathers fight for survival achieving  human ingenuity, using Stone & Bone as they join the quest for fire.

Underground Adventure

The Chicago Field Museum was founded in 1893 under the name of   The Colombian Museum of Chicago  that aroused much public attention. My attention was drawn toward the Grainger Hall of Gems located on the second floor.  Glass display cases revealed organic, oxides and silicates along the darkened walls. Inside the center of the exhibit where earth's elements and other rock-forming minerals. Directly in front, as you enter the room, a Comfort Tiffany's window with rare stones such as the Oregon Sunstone Pendant.   The really cool thing about this Hall of Gems, are the three stages of transformation for raw crystals. A cut and polished stone rest on a larger mineral and resembles the Fortress of Solitude where a fictitious superhero named Superman once lived.   

Grainger Hall of Gems

You may recall in Superman III when the man of steel crushed a lump of coal to form a perfectly cut polished diamond. By way of contrast, we know that motion picture studios use Hollywood magic and special effects that created this illusion. In any case, Stardust was formed five billion years ago, allotropes of carbon formed and were buried deep inside earth's mantel. As a result, a diamond is brought to the surface through a volcanic eruption and washed away at sea only to be found hundreds of thousands of years later. The fact that diamonds are top in mineral strength,has made the diamond superior for coating and tipping  modern tools such as chainsaws and other advance manufacturing products.  Advertisers such as De Beers suggest that "Diamonds are Forever"  and unlike gold, silver and copper consumers are aware that there is no fixed market for this precious mineral.  As for myself, Death and Taxes are forever. Nothing is permanent and that life is the most valuable commodity on this planet. 

In this final analysis, the Chicago Field Museum can be a day of fun and learning for the whole family. Three levels you can research, a wicked 3-D theater with earthshaking roars from a T-Rex name Sue. There was also a boy named Sue written by Johnny Cash, but you will not find him there. But what you will find are play labs a DNA Discovery Center and a Museum library for all those wild-eyed scientists trying to build a Flux-Capacitor.  If you would like more information on the Chicago Field Museum, give Em' a call at: 312-922-9410. They are friendly and would love to help you in your adventure for the quest of knowledge.   

A T-Rex Named Sue
All photos by: The Evil Genius