A Fresh Take: National Electronics Museum

By Riley Hoaglin

Have you ever wondered where your electronic devices come from? Or maybe how people first used to communicate? Just around the corner is what might be one of the coolest museums you will ever visit in Anne Arundel County! The National Museum of Electronics, located in Linthicum Heights, offers an enriching experience through a wide variety of exhibits, many of them interactive.

The National Electronics Museum works to “promote and encourage the study of science and engineering using their electronic heritage to educate and inspire students and the general public.” The museum is home to historical artifacts that range from the first U.S. satellite, to documents on the first patent for telecommunication. The museum encapsules the evolution of electronics in a manner that is captivating and engaging, suitable for all ages.

There is a vast range of different electronics at the museum; however, my favorites were the Morse Code machine and the Theremin. Morse code could be considered one of the first major forms of communication, dating from the 1830s. The National Electronic Museum offers hands-on experience to learn how the system works and even communicate with a friend! I loved that they have a diagram on how to order pizza via Morse Code!

The next machine was something I have never seen before. The Theremin is an electronic musical instrument that is played without physical touch. This device is extremely hard to play. There are two metal antennas which control frequency and volume. You place one hand on the left side above the instrument to control the pitch and on the other side you place your hand over to control the volume. It truly is a ton of fun to try and play!

The fun does not end there! Prepare to spend at least an hour exploring all the tremendous history the museum has to offer. You will receive a map when entering, to help guide you through your adventure. The hours of operation vary depending on the day, so be sure to check out their website before visiting. There is an entrance fee that has a range for different age groups, and the fee for adults is $7.

NOW  is the time to explore the National Electronics Museum! Unfortunately, the museum has received notice that it must relocate by the end of March, and as of right now there is no new location identified. If you would like to make a contribution to help save the museum you can do so by visiting their website at https://www.nationalelectronicsmuseum.org or by VISITING the museum!