# What pop culture items would you add to the Smithsonian? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 19, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363 "2013-06-19T14:53:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/1 "2013-06-19T14:53:01Z")
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](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8w8nZeEFX3c/T44G2dfERBI/AAAAAAAAEz8/NNtTjefGBjw/s1600/jerry.jpg), 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. Things I’d like to see added: Scarlett’s [actual window dress](http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/04/15/tax-movie2-53f3777c1fda979eefed06cc7702cb91f7ad2dce-s6-c30.jpg) [Carol Burnett’s parody of the window dress](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zjOOcyNl7nU/TVCu0XsMo8I/AAAAAAAAB-c/z2ckj07XEdc/s400/Carol_Burnett_GWTW.jpg) Ben Kenobi’s robes and light saber The Ark of the Covenant from RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [The Iron Throne](http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/29300000/Cersei-Baratheon-on-Iron-Throne-house-lannister-29390379-1280-720.jpg) from Game of Thrones (when the show wraps) What are some you’d like to see? ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/2 "2013-06-19T15:05:05Z")
Nigel Tufnel’s amp. That goes to eleven. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/3 "2013-06-19T15:11:06Z")
> [@h.sapiens](#): > > Nigel Tufnel’s amp. That goes to eleven. That would be perfect. Michael Scott’s World’s Best Boss mug should go in. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/4 "2013-06-19T15:30:54Z")
They need some blue meth from _Breaking Bad_. Tio’s wheelchair (or maybe his leg) would be cool as well. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/5 "2013-06-19T15:33:47Z")
The surviving **Bullitt** Mustang. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/6 "2013-06-19T15:50:07Z")
The _St. Elsewhere_ snow globe. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/7 "2013-06-19T16:22:08Z")
I’d like to see the banana stand. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/8 "2013-06-19T19:25:07Z")
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The Maltese Falcon Tardis, Dalek Some of Ray Harryhausen’s original models ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/9 "2013-06-19T19:35:29Z")
Fonzie’s leather jacket. Matt Dillon’s gunbelt & badge. Hawkeye’s still. Mr. Roarke’s white suit. One of Bill Cosby’s kids…maybe the little one. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/10 "2013-06-19T19:50:18Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Tardis, Dalek 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. ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/11 "2013-06-19T20:44:45Z")
Either Light Sabers or the Frozen Han Solo Yoda Indiana Jones’ Hat, Whip and Leather Jacket The blast door from LOST that closed on Locke’s legs (in black light) A DHARMA worksuit Heisenberg’s Hat Bubble’s Red Hat The Pulp Fiction Breifcase The painting of Tony and the Horse Bubo the owl The Island Hoppers helicopter The A Team Van Kitt A Viper - 1 for the Game of Thrones Throne ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/12 "2013-06-19T23:33:45Z")
Marilyn Monroe’s white dress, from _The Seven-Year Itch._ (They should have it already.) Ralph and Alice Kramden’s kitchen. The “Cook book” from _Twilight Zone._ The hat that Mary Tyler Moore tossed in the air. ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/13 "2013-06-19T23:46:40Z")
Just play Stairway to Heaven around the clock. (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.) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/14 "2013-06-20T00:01:20Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/15 "2013-06-20T00:09:52Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > The hat that Mary Tyler Moore tossed in the air. Great idea! It should be suspended in the air above the heads of the patrons. How about Columbo’s raincoat, along with a little stubby pencil? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/16 "2013-06-20T00:09:55Z")
A phaser and some Klingon weapons. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/17 "2013-06-20T00:37:14Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Marilyn Monroe’s white dress, from _The Seven-Year Itch._ (They should have it already.) Came in to say this. The black dress from _Some Like it Hot_ was on the Antiques Roadshow on Monday. Eddie Van Halen’s black and yellow Stratocaster (though I hate VH). KITT from Knight Rider. One of Hulk Hogan’s sleeveless t-shirts. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/18 "2013-06-20T00:45:01Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > A phaser and some Klingon weapons. Why not the entire bridge from TOS? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/19 "2013-06-20T00:46:15Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Eddie Van Halen’s black and yellow Stratocaster (though I hate VH). Err…that might make the collection a [little Van Halen guitar heavy](http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/08/van.halen.guitar/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363/20 "2013-06-20T00:53:00Z")
Erk. I suppose one is enough. How about K.K. Downing’s Flying V? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363.md?page=2)