The year 1959 marked the 135th anniversary of the founding of The Franklin Institute and the 25th year of its fine edifice on the Parkway in Philadelphia. In presenting the Annual Report for 1959, the Board of Managers notes that important progress has been made in fulfilling the promise of the organization founded so modestly in 1824 for the mutual benefit of a few citizens of Philadelphia. In contradistincton, the sphere of influence of The Franklin Institute in 1959 extended from Pole to Pole, from West to East around the World, and far out into Space.
The founding fathers, whose principal aim was the promotion of the mechanic arts among themselves, would be amazed at the present scope of the Institute's science promotion activities, which in 135 years has grown to global proportions, covering a wide range, from young to old in age, from beginners to professionals in experience, and from teaching to research in method.
In this Report we present the highlights of 1959 in the form of a spiral, the focal point of which is The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The unbroken and ever-widening curves of the spiral reach out through the Delaware Valley, the Nation, the World, and the Universe beyond our planet.
Since our activities originate at the Institute, Delaware Valley naturally feels the impact of all of them. This Report, however, deals with each activity within the geographical area for which its contributions to science are the largest. For example, our Laboratories, though performing valuable research for local firms, are dealt with under "The Nation," because a greater volume of their work is done for the Government.
Residents of Philadelphia and Delaware Valley are very nearly exclusive [email protected] of five of the Institute's activities: the Science Museum, the Astronomy Department, Educational Radio and Television, the Meetings program, and the Library. To take advantage of the opportunities offered through these activities, those wishing to learn must, in general, come to the Institute's headquarters where the facilities are located.
During 1959, the Science Museum was visited by 410,433 people, of whom approximately 290,000 were school children. Regular features such as the Workshops, the Science Fairs, the Dodge Lecture, and the Career Forums all enjoyed marked gains in attendance over previous years. Of the sixteen per-315