The Deutsches Museum Celebrates a Century of Science and Technology

The Deutsches Museum, one of the world’s largest and most renowned science and technology museums, is marking its upcoming 100th anniversary with a flourish of celebrations and reflections on its remarkable history. Just before its centennial, the museum welcomed its 100 millionth visitor, a testament to its enduring appeal and significance.

Founded by Oskar von Miller, the museum officially opened its doors on May 7, 1925, on the Museumsinsel (Museum Island) in Munich. From its inception, the Deutsches Museum aimed to make science and technology accessible to all, a mission that continues to drive its operations today. Wolfgang Heckl, the museum’s current Director General, emphasizes that "Wissen für alle" (Knowledge for all) has always been the core idea of the institution.

The museum’s collection is vast and diverse, encompassing over 125,000 objects. These range from a 3.7-billion-year-old moon rock, the oldest exhibit, to the imposing U1 submarine, a nearly 100-ton military marvel. This eclectic mix underscores the museum’s commitment to showcasing the breadth and depth of human ingenuity and scientific discovery.

The museum’s upcoming centennial celebrations were inaugurated with the presence of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who underscored the importance of natural science and technical education. He highlighted the role of technological progress in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change and achieving social justice. Steinmeier’s speech emphasized the crucial link between scientific understanding and societal well-being, reflecting the museum’s core philosophy.

To mark the occasion, the Deutsches Museum is hosting a special weekend program with free admission for all visitors. This celebratory event will offer access not only to the museum’s exhibits but also to its workshops, library, archive, and educational department. A diverse program of activities is planned, including a "Wissensbühne" (Knowledge Stage), workshops, and a virtual reality journey into space, promising an immersive and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

However, the centennial comes at a time of significant transition for the museum. Approximately half of its 45,000-square-meter exhibition space on Museum Island is currently undergoing extensive renovations. The project, which began a decade ago, was initially slated for completion in the jubilee year. Unfortunately, the renovations have encountered delays and cost overruns, compounded by an architect’s insolvency and debates within the Bavarian State Parliament.

The initially estimated cost of 445 million euros has ballooned to approximately 750 million euros. The Free State of Bavaria and the German Federal Government are jointly contributing around 660 million euros to cover the escalating expenses. The comprehensive reopening of the renovated sections is now projected for 2028, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the museum’s founding by Oskar von Miller, offering a second jubilee in quick succession.

Despite the ongoing construction, the first renovated section of the museum was unveiled in 2022. This section features 19 permanent exhibitions covering topics ranging from atomic physics to photography and film to health. Notable highlights include the Air and Space Hall, a nuclear fission table, and the incubator used by Robert Koch to cultivate bacteria and discover the tuberculosis pathogen 140 years ago.

The second phase of the renovation is currently underway. The famous mine exhibit, featuring life-sized figures of miners, and the popular lightning show, both long-time favorites among younger visitors, have been temporarily dismantled. The high-voltage show, however, is expected to return. The fate of the mine exhibit remains uncertain, and its potential reinstatement would entail additional costs.

The Deutsches Museum’s initial exhibitions were housed in the old National Museum and the former Schweren-Reiter-Kaserne (Heavy Cavalry Barracks) starting in 1906. The new building on Museum Island was one of the first large structures constructed using reinforced concrete. This advanced construction method was deliberately chosen to make the building itself an exhibit. The structure rests on over 1,500 concrete piles driven deep into the island’s soil, each capable of supporting up to 40 tons.

A groundbreaking innovation a century ago was the museum’s projection planetarium. The mine exhibit, the accessible ship decks, and the full-scale laboratories also made a significant impact. Unlike previous venues, the new building allowed for the display of larger exhibits, including the U1 submarine, which remains a highlight, as well as various ships, locomotives, and airplanes.

The three-day celebration marking the opening of the Deutsches Museum building on Museum Island in 1925 is considered by historians to be the last major festival of the Weimar Republic. On the day the exhibits were moved through the city, children were given a school holiday, and the entire city was in a celebratory mood.

According to city chronicles, 47,000 needy residents of Munich received a one-time allowance of one mark to celebrate the opening. This was enough to buy a "Maß" (liter) of beer at the Oktoberfest or to visit the Deutsches Museum twice, as admission cost 50 pfennigs for adults.

As the republic transitioned into a dictatorship, the Nazis increasingly appropriated the museum for their own purposes. Adolf Hitler’s passion for automobiles manifested in an extension for motor vehicles on Museum Island. The propaganda exhibition "Der ewige Jude" (The Eternal Jew) was displayed in the library.

Recently, researchers have highlighted the contributions of Arthur Schönberg, a Jewish engineer and cousin of the composer Arnold Schönberg, alongside those of the museum’s founder, Oskar von Miller. Arthur Schönberg served as the scientific collection manager and played a critical role in the museum’s early development. Despite his contributions, he was deported by the Nazis and died in the Theresienstadt ghetto in 1943. His story serves as a reminder of the museum’s complex history and the importance of acknowledging the contributions of all those who shaped it.

During World War II, the museum suffered extensive damage from bombing raids. An exhibition reopened on Museum Island in 1947, but it was not until the 1960s that the exhibition space reached pre-war levels. In the 1970s, the annual visitor count surpassed one million for the first time.

The museum has continually expanded over the years, with the addition of the large Air and Space Hall in 1984, the Flugwerft Schleißheim aviation museum in 1992, the Deutsches Museum Bonn in 1995, the Verkehrszentrum (Transport Centre) in 2003, and the Deutsches Museum Nürnberg in 2021. According to the museum, the institution is far from complete. Director General Heckl stated, "So ein Museum ist nie fertig" (A museum like this is never finished), emphasizing the ongoing process of growth and evolution that defines the Deutsches Museum. The museum’s ability to adapt and expand, while remaining true to its founding principles, will be crucial to its continued success in its second century.