I went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History last week and was disappointing at how few pop-culture icons are on display. They still have Archie Bunker’s chair (a standard), an original Kermit the Frog, a pair of ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, and while I didn’t make it to the Air & Space Museum I’m assuming the orgiinal Enterprise (from ST:TOS) is still on display (last time it was in the gift shop). However, the last time I was there- before the current building was open- they also had Seinfeld’s puffy shirt, Carol Burnett’s charwoman costume, Kunta Kinte’s chains, and Carrie Bradshaw’s laptop on display.
I think they need to include a pop-culture wing and have ALL of these on permanent display. Pop-culture may seem frivolous, but it is a touchstone of common intellectual currency. But, that’s for another post; for this one, what are some items you would love to see on display in the Smithsonian? It doesn’t matter who currently owns them or how unlikely it is that they should be there.
I think they try to focus the collection on Americana. The BBC will have to convince the British Museum to take the Tardis.
They have a catwoman costume (Julie Newmar’s) but I don’t think there’s any Superman stuff. A cape from the Cristopher Reeve’s films, maybe, or to get away from having it be all TV/Movies stuff, maybe some of the original concept art from the creators.
Radio is kinda hard to do, but should be represented. Garrison Keillor’s bright red socks, perhaps, or one of the little doors his sound effects guy uses to let the audience know Guy Noir has left the room.
(They actually did this at a station out here. The police showed up twice because listeners were making frantic calls that the station was being attacked by terrorists.)
Since presumably the horse’s head (which was real) long ago decomposed, I was trying to think of another instantly recognizable prop from The Godfather. Any suggestions?
