A multitouch application on a tabletop computer (Microsoft Surface), this timeline features 101 moments of consequence in American history. Visitors have a chance to see the variety of events—political, military, economic, technological, social, and cultural—that have shaped our national experience and our national identity. Users see numerous points that can be selected; touching one reveals a description of why this event was important along with a related image. For example, when you touch “Declaration of Independence,” you can see background information about people and events that shaped the American Revolution. You can also enlarge the document and read it for yourself, or view related objects from the collection such as the writing table on which Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration.
Organization: Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
Audience: Museum visitors
Role: Technology and content advisor