Museum of Science and Industry Exhibits: A Journey Through Innovation
With over 2,000 exhibits spread across 75 major halls, the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) serves as a massive testament to human ingenuity. Following the vision of its founder, Rosenwald, the museum emphasizes interactive learning, allowing visitors to engage directly with the science and history on display. While many galleries are open with general admission, certain special experiences—such as the Coal Mine and the U-505 on-board tour—require additional fees, and some popular attractions utilize a free timed-entry system.
From the moment visitors enter, they are greeted by monumental achievements in engineering and design that set the stage for a deep dive into the physical world.
Key Facts
- Scale: Over 2,000 exhibits across 75 major halls.
- U-505: The only captured German WWII submarine on display in the Western Hemisphere.
- Pioneer Zephyr: The first diesel-powered, streamlined stainless-steel passenger train.
- Oldest Exhibit: The Coal Mine, which has been operational since the museum opened in 1933.
- Space Highlights: Home to the Apollo 8 command module and a SpaceX Dragon 1 cargo spacecraft.
The Entry Hall: Icons of Speed
The Entry Hall (renamed from the Great Hall in 2008) houses some of the museum's most visually striking transportation milestones. The Pioneer Zephyr, a landmark in rail travel, was moved indoors in the 1990s to protect it during the construction of the underground parking lot.
Joining this legacy of speed is the NASCAR Next Gen 2023 Ford Mustang. Painted by local Chicago artists "Paint The City," this vehicle highlights modern race-car engineering and is scheduled to remain on display through 2026.
Lower Level: From the Deep Sea to Deep Space
The U-505 Submarine
One of the museum's most prized possessions is the U-505, a German submarine captured by the Allies during World War II. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989, the vessel was moved from an outdoor display to a specialized concrete bunker in 2005 as part of "The New U-505 Experience." Visitors can explore the interior via guided tours and view artifacts recovered from the boat.
Henry Crown Space Center
Located in a dedicated southeast wing, this center was extensively renovated in 2024. It houses critical pieces of aerospace history, including the Apollo 8 command module (the first human flight around the Moon) and the Mercury-Atlas 7 capsule. The center also features a NASA lunar module trainer and a SpaceX Dragon 1 cargo spacecraft. The Giant Dome Theater enhances the experience with a five-story wrap-around perforated aluminum screen.
FarmTech and Specialized Galleries
The FarmTech exhibit explores the intersection of agriculture and technology, featuring John Deere machinery and GPS systems. Other lower-level highlights include:
- Black Creativity: Architecture: A look at the history of Black architects.
- Mold-A-Rama™: A showcase of injection-molded plastics manufacturing.
- Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle: An intricate miniature fantasy house on display since 1949.
- Children's Exhibits: Including the Swiss Jollyball (a Guinness World Record-holding kinetic sculpture), the Idea Factory water table, and the Eye Spy gallery.
First Level: Transportation and Natural Phenomena
The Transportation Gallery
This expansive gallery spans two levels. The first level features The Great Train Story, a 3,500-square-foot HO-scale model railroad recreating the Empire Builder line. It also houses the NYC & HRR Locomotive No. 999, believed by some to be the first steam locomotive to exceed 100 mph, and a replica of Stephenson's Rocket.
The second level, Take Flight, features a Boeing 727 jet with a modified fuselage for visitor access, a replica of the Wright Flyer, and two WWII aircraft: a British Supermarine Spitfire and a rare German Ju 87 Stuka dive-bomber.
Science Storms
Opened in 2010, this multi-level exhibit brings the power of nature indoors. Highlights include a 40-foot water vapor tornado, a Foucault pendulum, and a tsunami wave tank. The second level features a Tesla coil that fires every 30 minutes and a giant Newton's cradle.
The Coal Mine
As the museum's oldest exhibit, the Coal Mine recreates a deep-shaft bituminous mine using original equipment from Old Ben #17. Guided by "coal miners," visitors ride a genuine mine train to learn about energy production and labor unions.
Modern Immersive Experiences
- Griffin Studio: An immersive multimedia space; its current presentation, Notes to Neurons, explores the link between music and the human brain.
- Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze: An exploration of geometric patterns like the Golden Ratio and fractals.
- The Blue Paradox: An immersive look at the global ocean plastics crisis.
Life Sciences and Urban History
The Genetics: Decoding Life exhibit previously featured a famous chick hatchery (operational since 1956), though the chicks were relocated to FarmTech in 2025. For a glimpse into the past, Yesterday's Main Street recreates an early 20th-century Chicago street, featuring a functional Nickelodeon Cinema that plays silent films.
Second Level: Anatomy and Chemistry
The second level focuses on the internal and elemental worlds. YOU! The Experience features a 13-foot interactive 3D heart and plastinated human remains. Nearby, the Regenstein Hall of Chemistry displays a giant periodic table with actual element samples. Hanging above the Coal Mine is the Travel Air Type R Mystery Ship ("Texaco 13"), a record-breaking aircraft.
Exhibit Summary Table
| Exhibit Name | Primary Focus | Key Feature | Access Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-505 | WWII Naval History | Captured German Submarine | General / Paid Tour |
| Henry Crown Space Center | Aerospace | Apollo 8 Command Module | General |
| The Coal Mine | Mining & Energy | Mine Train Ride | Additional Fee |
| Science Storms | Meteorology/Physics | 40-foot Tornado Vortex | General |
| Transportation Gallery | Transit History | Boeing 727 & Model Railroad | General |
| Mirror Maze | Mathematics | Geometric Patterns | Free Timed-Entry |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which exhibits require an extra payment?
The Coal Mine and the on-board tours of the U-505 submarine require an additional fee beyond general admission.
What is the significance of the U-505 submarine?
The U-505 is one of only six German submarines captured by the Allies during World War II and is the only one currently on display in the Western Hemisphere.
Can I see a real space capsule at the museum?
Yes, the Henry Crown Space Center houses the Apollo 8 command module and the Mercury-Atlas 7 capsule.
What is the "Great Train Story"?
It is a 3,500-square-foot HO-scale model railroad that depicts an embellished version of the Empire Builder rail line from Chicago to Seattle.
Is the chick hatchery still open?
The Genetics: Decoding Life chick hatchery closed in 2025, and the baby chicks were relocated to the FarmTech exhibit.