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Titanic exhibition coming to Carnegie Science Center

LUXURY SAILING — This is what a first-class cabin on the Titanic would have looked like. It is part of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, that will be on display at the Carnegie Science Center Oct. 21 through April 15. -- Contributed

PITTSBURGH — Carnegie Science Center will host Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition from Oct. 21 through April 15.

Visitors will experience the grandeur of the RMS Titanic through full-scale room re-creations and 154 authentic artifacts on display within the Science Center’s PPG Science Pavilion.

This must-see exhibition, viewed by more than 30 million people worldwide, takes visitors on a chronological journey through life on the Titanic, with a replica boarding pass featuring a real passenger’s name, from the ship’s construction to life on board, the fated sinking, and modern-day recovery efforts.

“We bring in touring exhibitions to share collections not easily accessible to the public and to bridge the gap between reading about history and experiencing it,” said Jason Brown, Henry Buhl Jr. director of Carnegie Science Center. “Not only will you see authentic artifacts recovered from the wreck site of the famous ship, but you will also be immersed in real stories of heroism, love, fear,and impossible decisions in the face of tragedy as well as the ongoing scientific efforts made to analyze and preserve the Titanic.”

“We look forward to bringing guests an unparalleled Titanic experience steeped in discovery, inspiration and human connection,” said Jessica Sanders, president of RMS, Titanic Inc. “It’s the real stories, of the passengers and crew, told through real artifacts that continue to resonate with guests and capture our hearts.”

Authentically re-created rooms including first- and third-class cabins are appointed with artifacts recovered from the shipwreck site 2.5 miles below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Some notable, authentic artifacts on display include:

• Men’s opera pumps: These Swifan brand calf skin pumps with grosgrain bow were designed to be worn by men on formal occasions, attendance at the opera or at dances. They were purchased by Edgar Andrew in Bournemouth, perhaps for dancing classes at his college.

• Telegraph mechanism: Telegraphs were used to relay messages throughout the ship. The bridge telegraph, for example, communicated with the engine room through a telegraph faceplate labeled with the ship’s instructions, like “Stop” or “Full Ahead.” The device instantaneously sent the captain’s messages to an identically configured faceplate in the engine room.

• Hand mirror inscribed “Royale Ivoire France:” Faux ivory mirror backs, hairbrushes and trays were popular toiletry items. Plastics were a recent invention and manufacturers found that the new substance could be used to imitate luxury wares like ivory at a fraction of the cost.

• Gillette razor: In 1901, King C. Gillette and William Nickerson formed the American Safety Razor Co. to market their new disposable safety razor design.

By the time Titanic sailed a decade later, the Gillette safety razor, “Known The World Over” according to advertisements, was quickly supplanting the straight razor as the instrument of choice for men’s shaving needs.

In a poignant representation of what passengers may have felt while waiting for rescue, a simulated iceberg is cooled to the same temperature of the water that fateful night. Visitors are invited to touch the iceberg to see how long they can hold their hands against its frozen surface.

Visit CarnegieScienceCenter.org/Titanic to purchase tickets and to learn more.

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