A plain & simple blog by project facilitator Frank DeFreitas
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 (latest update)
One of the Maple Leaf holograms was delivered to the National Civil War Museum on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 by project facilitator Frank DeFreitas. It will now be a permanent part of the historical archives, and will be on display for visitors to see while at the museum. Curator and Archivist Brett Kelley was very pleased with the new addition, which is the first of its kind to be entered into the museum's extensive collection of aritifacts and materials. Another hologram was sent to the Holography in the Modern Museum conference in London, England, where it was on display for attendees to view. It is currently on its return trip back to the USA.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2008
The above hologram is being sent over to London for the exhibit. A companion hologram will hopefully be placed within the National Civil War Museum here in the States. The hologram shown here is being illuminated with an amber LED light source (but any good white light spot will do). The hologram contains a plaque giving information on the Maple Leaf steamship, and another smaller brass plaque to the right contains the names of each student who worked on the project at Englewood High School. The matting and framing were done by Mr. Bill Pugh.
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008
I have received the finished holograms here at my studio, and will be preparing to send one to the Holography in the Modern Museum conference in London, England. Another has been offered (as of today) to the National Civil War Museum as a donation from the project, and the students. I'll report back on both to let you know how each turned out to be. I have one final hologram for myself, and I will be using it during lectures and demonstrations . . . so if you're interested in hearing about the Maple Leaf steamship, and seeing a large-format hologram made of some of the artifacts recovered, contact me and I'll be glad to come out and meet your group and give a multimedia presentation on how all this came to be!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2008
The Maple Leaf project lives on . . . even if only from a distance. Here is a photo of a holography table enclosure that the class/teams are building in the main laser lab. This will eventually have flexible sides, and will act to keep air currents still on the table top (and help control room thermal drift affecting the holo set-ups as well). I continue to advise from a distance (in this case, just about 1000 miles of distance). But I am prepared to jump in the car at a moments notice! The objective is to take additional shots of the maple leaf treasures . . . but without the crowds in the lab and classrooms. We're making corrections according to the lab notes of what would be needed for a second time around. Stay tuned -- it's not over yet!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008
I'm now back in my holography studio in Allentown, PA. I want to say hello to all the students who participated in the project, and also to those who attended the laser & holography orientation classes during the week. As an update, the first PICTURE GALLERY is now in place. It may be a few weeks before we receive the finished productions from the media people attending. Thank you to Donna, Stephanie, Juan, James, Nick, Tamara, Justin and Sam for all their hard work. You were all GREAT to work with -- and I can tell that you're all going to be very successful at whatever you choose to do in life. As it has been in the past, I find it once again difficult to say goodbye to Englewood. I have had so many wonderful experiences there over the years. It feels like a second home to me. I only wish that I were back in front of the class again this morning! Don't forget that you can always keep up with what is happening in holography by visiting my own website Here.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2008
A quick update showing the detail of one of the six 30 x 40cm holograms shot today by students. The photo of the hologram above is probably the best of the six -- or at least the brightest of the six (other holograms contained darker objects overall). The students really did a great job -- and conducted themselves in a very professional manner. The place was really jumpin' for a while today with many outside media and administrative visitors. Its time to run out to a quick dinner, then off to the open house night. John Klayer also gave students a presentation on doing his cave holograms, and showed us his portable hologram "camera". More updates after I have returned to my studio from Florida, and have received all of the materials to post (didn't have time to take too many pictures myself today).
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2008
It's just about 4:00 a.m. and the day of the project is now here. All preparations are finished, and we're as ready as we can be. This project began its planning stages many months ago. A lot of history will come through the Englewood lab today. When it leaves again, it will be a part of a recording technology that will then go on to make its own history. Hopefully, students will gain a learning experience like no other before them. Afterall, these are going to be student holograms. And, we'll all have fun doing it. It's going to be a very long work day today, beginning at 4 a.m. and probably ending around 11 tonight -- with something going on from start to finish. But by tomorrow it will be all gone. Bits and pieces returned to their boxes. A car heading north. I'm actually going to miss hearing "hey, y'all" coming from a smiling face. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Right now today is just beginning.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2008
Here is the second half of the holography team. We took our holographic set-up completed yesterday (by team #1 below), and did a few test shots today. We're about as ready as we're able to be for the event tomorrow. Students will be rotated as smaller teams of 3 or 4 members each, and work during "shifts". When one shift has completed a hologram, another shift will take over. We are also expecting television, radio and newspaper reporters, along with county and school district administrators to arrive throughout the day -- so our schedule will have to allow for time spent for promotion in between holography work. The open house is tomorrow night (Thurs) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can contact Englewood High School directly for further information, if needed (see the EHS link below). I'll try my best to update if and when possible. Please check back to see the larger photo galleries after the project's completion.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2008
Today I had a chance to meet several of the project student team members. These are students who have been in the Englewood HS holography program for several years -- or for what is termed advanced holography. All have experience making holograms, and are ready to take on the challenge of the Maple Leaf project on Thursday. Today we assembled our lightweight aluminum 30 x 40cm plateholder, got the big HeNe laser in place, set up the overhead mirror assembly, and clowned around for a few pictures (see above). I will meet the rest of team during their class time on Wednesday. They will all come together as one single team on Thursday.
John Klayer will be coming in from his home in Georgia to visit on Wednesday (tomorrow) and Thursday. John practices cave holography . . . he makes holograms in natural caves. Both Bill Pugh and I have been wanting to meet John for many years now, and that day has finally arrived. If you're interested in how John makes holograms in caves, you can read all about him in the Winter 2007 issue of the HoloWorld Ezine.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008
We have arrived in Jacksonville, Florida and the equipment has been unpacked over at Englewood High School. I will be working with the first several groups of students tomorrow (Tuesday). I will meet a few of the Maple Leaf student team members as well. Their first names are: Donna, Stephanie, Juan, James, Nicholas, Tamara, Justin and Sam. Steffaney will be the camera person for documenting the event for the high school. Some students are absolute beginners, others are in advanced holography. Englewood has to have one of the finest high school laser labs in the country at present. Look for a full photo album online. Starting tomorrow my days begin early, and end late. I will update as time permits. Look for complete coverage after I have returned from Florida next week.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2008
I've spoken about many of the objectvies and outcomes of this project, both here in this blog and in the FAQ section. Another that I wish to include, is Museum educational programs. Just about every museum has educational programs that it runs for both adults and school-aged children. If the museum is an art museum, the programs usually center around creating art. If the museum is a science museum, the programs usually center around science projects. But rarely do you see a museum educational program that teaches students about museum display work itself. Holography can provide students with a perfect blend of art and science, while at the same time, allow them to explore a method of recording and archiving artifacts. If you are a museum staff person following this project, won't you take a moment to give holography a thought when planning your next series of in-house or outreach educational programs? I think you will be very satisfied with the public response -- and teach others about the logistics of museum display and archiving as well.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2008
Here is a quick video of the road trip to the National Civil War Museum yesterday. Camera's were not allowed in the exhibit areas, just as far as the lobby. But it will give you an idea of the immese scope of the museum itself. I would recommend a visit to anyone interested in Civil War history. It took several hours to make our way though the entire series of historical sections. It contains many artifacts, documents, etc. from all of the most famous figures, while at the same time, does not forget or passby the role of the common foot soldier. My overall impression? Here's hoping that it never happens again.
So, students, lets make the best holograms we can next week and I will do everything within my power to place one of the holograms into the national museum from Englewood High School in Jacksonville, FL -- with everyone's name noted on the wall next to it.
It looks favorable that we may have the pleasure of welcoming Prof. Juyong Lee to Jacksonville. Prof. Lee is from the HoloCenter of the Korean National University of Arts, and has exhibited world-wide. He is known throughout the world for both photography and holography. Prof. Lee contacted me about coming to my studio in Allentown, PA while he was going to be in NYC; but I was going to be in Jacksonville. I suggested that he come down and visit Jacksonville and see the project in action. Prof. Lee will then return with me to Allentown before he returns to Korea. Bill Pugh also met Prof. Lee during a holography conference trip to Wales last year. Bill Pugh, myself and the students look forward to meeting and working with Prof. Lee., and hope that his plans allow for his visit to take place (last I heard we were on). Prof. Lee will also be in attendance for the Thursday evening open house meet & greet, and I will bring one of his holograms down to Jacksonville to exhibit that night.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2008
Today, my wife and I will be traveling to the National Civil War Museum, located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. You see, my role in this project is science and technology. I'm not familiar with the Civil War other than the standard history I received while in school. Since that is now over 35 years ago, I thought it might be time for a refresher. I also hope that it deepens my understanding and appreciation not only for the project itself, but also for the history that is making the project possible in the first place. Including the role myself and others are about to play in it. When I see those objects placed on the holography table for laser recording by the students, I want to be able to feel something about it, and not make it just an intellectual exercise. I realize that this is a lot to expect from a museum trip, but I'll make the best of it.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2008
It bears mentioning that, in addition to the Maple Leaf civil war artifacts, a few others' will be made into holograms as well. The above photo shows an Owl Effigy bowl that will be supplied by the Museum of Science and History for recording. It was discovered in northeast Florida, and is believed to be from the native population of the region, from a period of 200-900 A.D. It's wonderful to have additional content to expand the scope of the project. This can also show that holography can be performed "in the field" -- for instance, right at an archeological dig, providing that the necessary preparations are met (portable vibration isolation system for the laser recordings, and darkness for exposure of the holographic plate and processing). The holograms could be back at a museum before the actual objects arrive!
I should also say that the students themselves will be making these holograms. Yes, I am a holographer, but I will be primarily "hands off", and functioning more as a facilitator. The bottom line is giving Englewood High School students an opportunity to develop the necessary skills (under supervision) to perform the tasks needed for recording -- along with working in a real-world, production environment. There will be 2-days of intensive sessions on holographic recording techniques. On the 3rd day, they will put what they have learned into action. It will be quite an experience at the high school level.
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2008
All preparations for the trip down to Jacksonville, Florida have been completed, and its now time to begin packing larger equipment, and getting a check list together for other items. The photo you see above is the head unit of the laser system that will be used to make the holograms. It is a Coherent HeNe putting out 42mW, and its ready to be crated for the trip. I'll also be taking a 100mW DPSS green laser. It's just about noon, so in exactly one week from today, I should be crossing the St. John's river at Jacksonville. I'll be driving down, and it will be a 14 hour drive. Tuesday and Wednesday will be prep days, for both the students and lab work. On Thursday, a rep from the Museum of Science and History will be bringing the recovered Maple Leaf artifacts to Englewood High School. We will spend all day Thursday making holograms. On Thursday night, we will have an open house and "meet and greet" for the public. I hope to see you there!
I'm very excited about this project, because it will give students an opportunity to work with lasers, optics, and holography in a very meaningful way. This is actually a "real life" project -- and will be a part of history forever. The holograms of the artifacts can be viewed anywhere in the world, so it is also a great practical application. For instance, if we had holograms of the moon rocks, there could be a moon rock in every school and museum in the country (or even the world)! The possibilities are endless.
