What's going on at SPARK?
Truly, necessity is the mother of invention. Imagine you’re an undertaker working in Kansas City in the late 19th century. You’re one of just two undertakers serving a city of more than 50,000 people, so business must be booming, right? Not if your competitor is stealing all of your clients. Legend has it that Almon Brown Strowger found himself in …
“This is not a movie. We’re going to do this live, right here in this room, right before your eyes. Let’s go!” The docent stands in front of the dark room, his voice quivering with excitement. A group of visitors sit in rapt attention, eyes wide with anticipation. Suddenly, 4.5 million volts of energy light up the room as a …
On display at The SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention are myriad devices that tell the exciting story of electrical history, including a string of devices that walk visitors from the early thought experiments of Michael Faraday to the electric induction motors of Nikola Tesla: Faraday Rotating Cup Experiment: Michael Faraday’s rotating cup device, which he invented in 1822, is one …
Thank you to everyone who came out for our MLK Day of Service! We had over 20 volunteers from Americorp Vista and the community and our building looks better than ever. We could never do what we do without the dedication and support from our regular volunteers and the community. Your involvement keeps us inspired to be better …
It’s OK to admit it. You’ve been searching for weeks for the perfect gift for that special someone who LOVES Bellingham, but you haven’t had much luck and it’s getting down to the wire. Well, we’ve got your back. There’s not much that says Bellingham more than a gift from the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention (if we do say …
Have you heard our parody song “Down on Bay Street”? It’s great background music for reading this post. Check it out: Bellingham is well-known among travelers for its incredible setting and lively, college-town vibe. Delicious restaurants pepper the downtown district, and it’s hard to beat the views of the waterfront from along Chuckanut Drive or the walking trail between Bellingham …
After more than a decade of broadcasting from the SPARK Museum in Bellingham, Washington, KMRE 102.3 FM is looking for a new place to call home. The station, which launched in 2005, is one of the few independent nonprofit community stations on the local FM dial. According to SPARK Museum’s President and CEO, John Jenkins, there are some fundamental reasons …
Alessandro Volta. Heinrich Hertz. Guglielmo Marconi. William Gilbert. Benjamin Franklin. Undoubtedly, at least some of these names are familiar. After all, these luminaries are among the most famous names in the development of radio and electricity. Believe it or not, the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention in Bellingham houses original books or scientific papers by each of these men, in …
This October, the SPARK Museum is thrilled to be a Presenting Sponsor for five films in the Doctober lineup at the Pickford Film Center! Every October the Pickford Film Center presents Doctober, a month long event during which they present a diverse range of fascinating documentaries. This year, with over 50 documentaries in their lineup there truly is something for everyone! …
Halloween is an exciting time at SPARK. It’s a chance to get goofy and a little bit spooky! This year we have several opportunities for Halloween themed fun! This year SPARK is thrilled and chilled to be involved as the last stop on the Gore & Lore tours through Downtown Bellingham’s haunting history. The Good Time Girls’ Gore & Lore …
