Lamps at the Smithsonian
No, the Smithsonian's natural history museum in Washington, D.C.
does not have a room full of exotic lamps.
However, the museum does have some interesting lamps and lighting
distributed around various parts of the museum,
some intentional, some unintentional.
Lava lamp
This large lava lamp is in the Geology, Gems & Minerals area.
It is used only to demonstrate how less dense rocks (viz., lava) rise.
Unfortunately, many days I notice that the museum personnel forget to turn it on.
In the 2003 film "The Core,"
there is a scene towards the end of the film where the hired computer hacker
is sitting at his computer in the communication center, with a lava lamp in the background.
Since the film's topic is about tunneling through rock and magma to the earth's core,
the presence of a lava lamp in the same context as the Smithsonian's geology exhibit
is probably not an accident, but rather was likely well thought-out.
Lighted quartz
Technically this isn't a lamp, but it is nearly identical in its look and its underside lighting
as rock salt crystal lamps that are commercially sold.
This is also in the Geology, Gems & Minerals section.
Mine lamps
These are apparently rugged, commercial, outdoor lights that are also used in mines.
These are used as thematic lighting throughout the darkened mine section of the
Geology, Gems & Minerals section.
Rock slab wall lighting
These wall lights are immediately outside the Atrium Café dining area.
I believe the slab coverings are authentic stone,
since the one on which I tapped was very solid,
though the stone may have been dyed.
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Created: January 13, 2006
Updated: April 18, 2007
