Want Immortality?

Sorry, it's really not possible just yet, at least not in the direct way most of us would like.  However, there is an indirect way whereby one may be remembered by mankind indefinitely into the future.  This form of immortality is generally limited to those with names like Einstein, Beethoven, Shakespeare, etc.  Unfortunately, only a very few of us qualify even for that indirect type of immortality, which means that a hundred years or so after our death the only evidence that we ever existed will be in some type of obscure birth and death record gathering dust somewhere.  In short, for all practical purposes, it will be as if we had never been born at all.  Not pleasant to think about is it?.

Yet, there is one way that those of us who have no claim to fame whatsoever can break into this very limited list of human immortals.  It is possible if you happen to have collected a significant amount of do-re-me during your lifetime such that you might be able to buy your way onto this hallowed list.  One way individuals have attempted to do this is to donate a large amount of money to a local university to pay for the construction of one building or another and thus have their name placed on that building, perhaps with their painting hanging therein.  Unfortunately, despite best of intentions, this isn't a very reliable method of obtaining immortality.  Students of the future will have little concern for who Joe Schmuck was that the Schmuck building was named after, even if his painting is hanging somewhere therein. 

 There is only one reliable way that I know to one keep one's name permanently in front of  a wide spectrum of humankind - establish a well-known and well attended museum, i.e., Guggenheim, etc.  No small-time local museum will do, it must be one of recognized national and even international importance.  How does one go about doing that?  The museum must be both large and unique as to its contents such that lasting fame and renown are a certainty.  This is a difficult task to accomplish, but not impossible even with the number of already well-known museums in existence that seem to have  collected just about everything worth collecting.

But let me ask you this, can you name one museum in the world dedicated to the history and development of digital technology and photography?  No?  Neither can I.  This topic not only lends itself to a unique museum possibility, but one where the creation of entertainment devices for all age levels of visitors is virtually endless.  That is, entertainment devices which demonstrate digital technology and photography are limited only by the imagination of the museum operators.  This entertainment capability would be a tremendous draw advantage over all currently existing museums which merely contain things that you can only look at and which may be of interest to only a small portion of  the public.  What better than a museum that draws visitors from far and near, but also causes local residents to return again and again?

As to the digital photography portion of the museum, there are now many people collecting still video and early model digital cameras who would like to see those cameras in a brick and mortar museum someday.   The first such museum to be established would be the one to benefit from this list of ready-made donors.  The ideal time to collect any item is early in its history when it is still readily available and at reasonable cost.  Deciding to build a museum many years later when objects are hard to find (or maybe lost forever) and costly to purchase is not the most practical way to go.   For example, the first U.S. Dollars minted in 1794 would have cost you just that, one dollar.  Now a single one of those dollars will cost you up to ten million dollars!

Where to locate such a museum?  My recommendation would be next to the National Museum of the United States Air Force east of Dayton, Ohio.  Not only is there property available across the highway from the Air Force Museum, the Air Force has recently let it be known that it is open to proposals for use of property on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base directly adjacent to the Air Force Museum.  The museum has more than 1.3 million visitors each year, thus another museum constructed close by would have a ready source of visitors.  In fact, both museums would benefit by such proximity.   

If you of know any one who would be interested in such a proposition, we would be glad to hear from them.  But time is of the essence (or as they say in academia, carpe diem - seize the day), such a museum will be established somewhere in the not too distant future and the opportunity to be first and to gain the benefits of the accompanying publicity, donations from collectors, etc. will not be available to  Johnny-come-latelies.

UPDATE!  A museum in the U.K contacted us concerning the opening of a digicam section within their museum.  Rather than export our collection to the U.K., we provided them with the name of European digicam collector.  Wouldn't it be a shame if those in America where digital technology originated would have to travel to Europe to visit a museum dedicated to that technology, especially as there are many U.S. digicam collectors who would like to see their cameras in a museum here.  We provided the U.K museum with the name of that European collector in the hope that an American organization or individual would soon realize the value and importance of establishing such a technology center in the U.S.  We are still waiting. 

UPDATE 2:  We have written to Mr. Winkellman suggesting that an actual historical digital camera exhibit within his museum would enhance visitor experience as well as increase attendance, however, he has not replied, thus we assume that he is not considering such a possibility at this time.