MythBusters exhibit ‘explodes’ in OMSI

See why anyone who’s seen Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman, and the crew, test myths on TV will really enjoy this new temporary Portland exhibit. Take a look and see why …

Jean Martin and Neil Martin look at some of the artifacts at the new OMSI offering, MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The new traveling exhibit now open at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), “MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition”, offers a rollicking look how two Hollywood special effects guys explore everyday happenings.

“We’re really happy to offer ‘MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition’,” said OMSI President Nancy Stueber at a preview showing. “It’s really fun!”

OMSI Board Chair Don Vollum, of Vista Ridge Capital Partners, chats about the new MythBusters exhibition with OMSI President Nancy Stueber.

“At OMSI, we look for new ways to demonstrate how science affects us every day, Stueber confided. “This exhibit takes everyday occurrences and makes you want to experience them, and test them, using the ‘scientific method’ – a way of conducting an objective investigation.”

According to the concept developer and exhibition’s designer, Geoffrey Curley of Geoffrey M. Curley and Associates in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the 100+ artifact exhibition was about five years in the making.

The exhibition’s developer, Geoffrey Curley, shows off a JATO rocket, mounted on top of a car and run through the desert, as used in the first MythBusters show.

“Since it went on TV, it seemed that ‘MythBusters’ was perfect for a museum exhibition.” Curley told East Portland News. “Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman – they were ‘200% on board’ with the idea, as were the show’s producers, and the Discovery Channel.”

Artifacts range from a JATO (Jet Assisted Take-Off) solid fuel rocket pack used in their first show, to parts of a duct-tape airplane shown in a program during the past season.

The Unrein family – Greg, Elliot, and Junel – get a hands-on experience at MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition.

Guest Graham Langley tests his reflexes – attempting to dodge a paintball in a live demonstration.

Hands-on exhibits encourage guests to test myths – such as:

Does running in the rain will keep you drier than walking?
Will dropped toast always land butter-side down?
Can an airplane take off from a conveyer belt moving in the opposite direction?
Might a human be able to move fast enough to dodge a high-velocity paint ball?

And, visitors will marvel at variety of recovered items tested in past shows, including pieces of a blown up dump truck, to a water heater that shot through a building – and even detailed artifacts like robotic dog jaws.

Emily Puro looks on, as her son, Richard Puro, checks a slow-motion playback of a dump truck exploding.

These kids test a question perfect for Portland: Does running through rain keep you dryer than walking through it?

Tickets, including general admission, are $18 for adults, and $13 for kids; OMSI members pay $15 for adults, $13 for kids for admission to MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition, on view through May 5.

OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue. For more information, see their website: CLICK HERE to open their homepage..

> On our front page: At the “Cliff Hanger” station, Violet Bruun tests her ability to hang on, as OMSI Science Educator Crosley Bromley starts the stopwatch.

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