Review: Ben Franklin, Frankenstein, and the Wonders of Electricity
Tucked away along one of Minneapolis’ picturesque lakes, the Bakken Museum is a quirky celebration of human creativity and ingenuity with a backstory that’s nearly as fascinating.
The museum is themed, quite loosely, around electricity. Exhibits include the history of electric-powered medical devices, such as prosthetics and pacemakers. Visitors can try out recreations of some of Ben Franklin’s experiments with static electricity, though do heed warnings about how to avoid shocks.
That real-world science bleeds into fiction in the room featuring early experiments that likely helped inspire Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein. A genuinely spooky theatrical presentation of the story is fully animatronic, fittingly including a creature brought to life by the power of electricity.
That the whole museum is contained within a gorgeous Gothic/Tudor mansion surrounded by gardens only adds to its charm, as does the story of how the Bakken came to be. Since its construction in 1930, the house has had several owners, including Richard Cornelius, the inventor of the beer tap. Earl Bakken, who invented the world’s first wearable pacemaker, bought the place in 1976 and began using it to display his collection of early electro-medical artifacts.
Unorthodox and memorable, the Bakken Museum celebrates the spark of imagination that brings new ideas to life, whether in a lab or on the page.
The post Review: Ben Franklin, Frankenstein, and the Wonders of Electricity appeared first on Reason Magazine.
Source: https://reason.com/2026/09/18/bakken-museum/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,832,171,372 |
| Stories: | 8,706,288 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
