FIRST-EVER EXHIBIT DEDICATED TO THE FUTURE OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY OPENS AT CHICAGO’S MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
Wired to WearTM showcases cutting-edge, global technologies from industry pioneers and creative visionaries that will make us stronger, smarter and healthier
CHICAGO (March 21, 2019)—The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) announces
the opening of Wired to Wear, the first-ever exhibit dedicated to the future of wearable
technology. The 8,000 square foot exhibit brings together cutting-edge technologies from
industry pioneers and creative visionaries, showcasing how our clothing is becoming infused
with tools to make us stronger, smarter and healthier.
“Wearable technology has been steadily gaining momentum for years and is on the cusp of
taking hold in mainstream society. We believe this is the absolute right time to show people the
innovation underway and help our guests understand why their closet will look radically different
in only a few years,” said David Mosena, president and chief executive officer, MSI. “We are
thrilled to open Wired to Wear and are confident that the experience will redefine how people
think about wearable technology and what it can become.”
Wired to Wear features items from brands, designers, engineers and artists across 15 countries,
bringing the world’s most innovative technologies to MSI, including:
- Global brands such as Dainese, Google, Intel, Microsoft, NASA and Gravity Industries
- Renowned universities and laboratories including Harvard University, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University and Northwestern University - Celebrated artists and designers that include Anouk Wipprecht, Behnaz Farahi, Melissa Coleman, Suzi Webster, Jordan Reeves, Lisa Lang, and Amy Winters, Ph.D.
Experiencing the Future
True to MSI’s hands-on approach to science, Wired to Wear is purpose-designed to let guests
touch, feel and even try on these technologies:
- SpiderSense Vest: Created by Chicago-based entrepreneur Victor Mateevitsi, Ph.D.,
and built by technological futurist firm Quantum XPR, guests will put on a vest that
provides haptic feedback as they navigate through an obstacle. - Iridescence: Created by renowned designer and technologist Behnaz Farahi, this
collar’s quills use hundreds of actuators and vision-activated technology to follow your
gaze and react with life-like behavior. For example, when an angry face is detected, the
collar expresses anxiety with fast jittery movements. - Smart Tattoo: Placed on mannequin arms, the conductive tattoos, designed by
Microsoft, turn the body into an interface. Guests will be able to swipe the tattoo to
create notes on an instrument, and even control lighting. - Infinite Flow: Created as a collaborative interactive installation between Jacquard by
Google team and Japanese creative firm WOW, guests direct Google Jacquard fabric
using the interactive cloth as an interface to control a series of fans and lights that allow
it to float gracefully.
“Wired to Wear will bring some of the most cutting-edge innovation to our community and drive
more exploration of STEM career opportunities,” said Daniela O’Leary-Gill, Executive Vice
President and U.S. Chief Operating Officer, BMO Financial Corp. and MSI board member.
“BMO embraces the spirit of innovation and proudly champions MSI’s quest to educate and
inspire people of all ages.”
Looking into the Future
Throughout Wired to Wear, guests will see examples of how wearable technology is fueling
innovation to revolutionize the benefits clothing can and will provide, including:
- Gravity Industries’ Jet Suit, which is comprised of five miniature jet engines and an
exoskeleton, which can travel more than 30 miles per hour and ascend to 12,000 feet - Nike’s self-lacing shoes from Back to the Future Part II, on loan from the collection of
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, along with Nike’s HyperAdapt 1.0 and the recently announced
Nike Adapt BB shoes - Seismic Powered ClothingTM, a lightweight alternative exoskeleton providing extra
strength for standing and sitting to help reduce injury and preserve mobility - Dainese D-Air Racing Suit monitors the wearer’s position 1,000 times per second to
determine if embedded airbags need to instantaneously inflate to protect the wearer
from injury - JacquardTM by Google is a technology platform that will allow any personal effect to have
interactivity and connectivity, connecting you to the most important things in your life
anytime, anywhere and on-the-go straight from the things you love and use everyday.
Learn how the first product developed with this platform, Levi’s® CommuterTM
Trucker Jacket with Jacquard, works.
Designing the Future
As an institution dedicated to hands-on learning, MSI is simultaneously launching Makers
United, a complementary experience where guests will assemble their own wearable product. In
Makers United, sponsored by ArcelorMittal, guests get hands-on with circuit building and
fabricated materials to make their own glowing circuit band and connect with the maker
experience. Guests will learn about the ever-growing maker movement, a culture that
encourages curiosity, creative thinking and hands-on building.
Wired to Wear is presented by BMO and will be at MSI through May 2020. Makers United is
sponsored by ArcelorMittal and will run through January 5, 2020. These experiences are not
included in Museum Entry and require additional timed-entry tickets, $12 for adults and seniors,
and $9 for children ages 3-11.