Laser Holograms of Civil War Artifacts

[frank]

Next week (week of feb 3), for the first time in history, Civil War artifacts will be recorded as 3-dimensional laser holograms. Holograms are futuristic images made of light, and are exact copies of the object recorded. Holograms are today, what photography was during the 1860's.

The project will be holographically recording the artifacts recovered from the sunken Civil War steamship Maple Leaf. It was sunk in the St. John's river close to Jacksonville, Florida in 1864. It was a Union ship, and it hit a Confederate "torpedo" in the river. It sank with over 400 tons of Civil War history.

Students at Englewood High School in Jacksonville will be working on the project. They study about lasers, optics, photonics and holograms. The artifacts are being provided by the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).

The holograms will be exhibited in London, then they will return to the MOSH where the public can see them.

The students are very excited. I'm excited that we are able to bring history alive for them -- and give them a project in lasers and holography that is meaningful to them, and to their region.

I have come to the Civil War through the door of science and technology. I had forgotten the difference between Gettysburg and Valley Forge. I no longer remembered which was North, which was South. Union? Confederate? But I am learning quickly.

There's no need for me to know anything about the Civil War at all. But it has me hooked. Tomorrow I will be visiting the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburgh, PA -- before heading down to Florida for the project.

Here is the project web site, if anyone would care to follow the progress as it unfolds:

The Maple Leaf Civil War Holography Project

Best Regards,
Frank DeFreitas

[Parault]

I find that vey interesting. It will be a wonderful to see the end results

[frank]

Originally Posted by Parault

I find that vey interesting. It will be a wonderful to see the end results

Thank you Parault. I will be certain to post updates to the project.

I'd also be happy to answer any questions or curiosities that anyone would post here.

I'll have a few holograms out of this project myself, so I'm hoping to be able to display them for any local group at one of their meetings, and give a little background info. on the Maple Leaf and the project itself.

I'm in the Eastern Pennsylvania region, and I'm at 610-770-0341.

The Maple Leaf Civil War Holography Project

[jessup66]

Thats cool, but to me I must see the real thing. I hate when some "museums" use replicas.