I flew into Baltimore and couldn’t meet my niece for a few hours and needed a diversion until after she got off work. So, I looked around and found the National Electronics Museum. I don’t know what I expected, but I just have to investigate these small museums. Now this one from the outside definitely has a military look with all the big radars and antenna out front. As it was created by people who were military contractors I expected maybe I’ll find all the junk that is no longer top secret. Well it seems that people who retire in this industry have devoted a huge amount of time to saving the history that they created in the electronics industry and the military industrial complex. So different types of radars are listed, displayed,
explained, and done so in a very understandable way. It is quite enlightening. then they talk about types of radios and how they were used to solve various puzzles to defend England, America, our troops, and other bits of history. To examine the satellites used for communications and their history was likewise eye opening in that all of the explanations in this museum are definitely from a different a point of view and one might read in a sanitized history book.
For instance when the Germans were bombing London they were using various frequency bands that used together gave them targeting system that they could use day or night. One ingenious fellow took to the problem. He investigated in the frequency bands that were not being used by our systems and found their targeting frequencies. Then created jamming to bring another signals to confuse their system. Oh yes, now that I bring it up there were
displays about jamming, counterintelligence, and other things that protected our troops and equipment. Fascinating!
Some of the historical displays tell other stories of our history that add color and background to early communication systems, In May 1844 a politician turned down a nomination and telegraphed his decision. The telegraph was not trusted by those who received the message, so they waited till the next day when the courier delivered the message in writing! Or one of the back stories from Pearl Harbor where on early December 7th, a northern radar team saw a large blip on their screen. it was so large they thought the machine was malfunctioning and chose to reset the radar.
Subsequently they relayed their find and were told not to worry about it!
The National Electronics Museum is is a wonderful and enlightening museum to investigate if you have a bit of time. it is less than a couple miles from BWI Airport and at 5 bucks what a deal!
For me, It was time well spent visiting the National electronics Museum.
About The Author
Museums small, medium and large are a passion for Charley. Locating them around the southwest and other parts of the country is a quest that will never end. Enjoy the finds, flubs, and more here on Stupid Vacations. Charley can be found about the web on his family blog – charley.net – his social media guide – Charley Carlin – Social Media Guide and via Reviews on YELP, Trip Advisor, and Google