39 Fun Museum Facts - mental_floss List Show Ep. 426

TL;DR

A whirlwind tour of intriguing facts surrounding museums worldwide.

Transcript

hi I'm John Green welcome to my salon this is Mental Floss video and you know we got the word museum from the Greeks they used to build temples to the muses who were the goddesses of art and science so the temples featured sculptures and intellectuals would hang out there these buildings were known as musee UNS we've had museums pretty much ever si... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Museums have a long history, originating from ancient Greek temples dedicated to art and science.
• 🧡 The diverse range of museums worldwide, from historical to corporate, showcases unique artifacts and stories.
• ⌛ Admission fee practices have varied over time, from time-based calculations to free access on certain days in Victorian England.
• 🥰 Taxidermy, controversial acquisitions, and art restoration challenges are common themes in museum anecdotes.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the origin of the word "museum"?

The word "museum" is derived from the Greek temples built to the muses, goddesses of art and science, known as "Musee UNS."

Q: How did the Ashmolean Museum calculate admission fees in the past?

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford used to calculate admission fees based on how quickly visitors could go through the museum.

Q: Why is Madame Tussauds wax museum named after a real person?

Madame Tussauds is named after Marie Tussauds, an artist who made her first wax figure in 1778, starting the wax museum legacy.

Q: How did the British Museum begin its collection?

The British Museum started with a collection of 71,000 artifacts from naturalist and physician Sir Hans Sloane, bequeathing his items to King George II.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Museums have a rich history dating back to ancient Greece where they were known as "Musee UNS."

• The first public museum, the Ashmolean Museum, opened in Oxford in 1683 with a unique admission fee calculation.

• From Madame Tussauds to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, museums hold a plethora of historical artifacts and stories.