Strangest items in 'America's Attic'. It's been 165 years since Congress passed an act to establish the Smithsonian Institution James Smithson. Dubbed the "Nation's Attic", it has since become a prolific entity and even inspired a popular movie.
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But folks at the Smithsonian take issue with the use of the term "attic" to describe its museums. "It implies musty, dusty things you never look at," said chief spokesperson Linda St. Thomas during a phone interview. "We're more relevant than an attic." This fall, the Smithsonian Mobile app will launch to give users a must-see list for many of the museums, including some of the most popular items such as the Hope Diamond or Abraham Lincoln's top hat.
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Here is a look at some of the more eccentric items collected by the Smithsonian, many of which are currently on view. weird smithsonian artifacts
Vince and Larry endured countless crashes and made some funny commercials to get people to wear their seatbelts. The gear from the famous duo was donated to this museum.
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There's no place like home -- at the Smithsonian. The iconic shoes from "The Wizard of Oz", worn by this star, are one of this museum's main attractions. The glittering red slippers are worn around the edges, a reminder of all the clicking and dancing they endured.
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This prized possession is the original teddy bear, given to this president after a particular bear-hunting story made its way around. The incident also inspired a popular political cartoon.
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President Harry Truman had a two-lane bowling alley installed in the White House and helped create a White House bowling league. The alley was later turned into a rather boring facility by the next president.
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The National Museum of American History displays a rather odd keepsake: former President Warren G. Harding's monogrammed silk pajamas. He must have loved them, because he had a matching set of red ones.
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Despite the increasing use of radio during this war, carrier pigeons were still used to deliver important messages. This particular winged friend saved 200 lives and became a war hero.
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This shattered, bullet-ridden stump is nearly all that's left of this fierce Civil War battle, which took place in Virginia. Watch a tour of how the war site looks today.
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This museum displays locks from the first 14 presidents, a practice of hair preservation that used to be quite common. It's unusual, for sure, but not quite as unusual as this scrapbook.
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One of these quartz craniums arrived inexplicably at the National Museum of Natural History. The latest installment of this popular adventure film series makes the mystery surrounding the specimen even greater.
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The National Museum of the American Indian is home to two of these curios. They were created in the same macabre way in which this ancient tribe shrank human heads.
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Trekkies will delight in seeing weaponry from the classic '60s TV show at this museum. If you want one of your very own, check out the various online replicas.
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An unusual procurement for the Smithsonian, this isolation suit helped "the boy in the plastic bubble," who had an immune deficiency, avoid germs. This movie, starring John Travolta, was partially inspired by his story.
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The stunt puppet from a groundbreaking children's TV program is proudly on display at the Smithsonian. Take a look at other famous television puppets that have joined the ranks of "Howdy Doody."
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The Smithsonian displays some of the gear of this great fighter. Despite some controversy, his prolific career inspired this documentary and a biography with the man cast as himself.
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This coin is scarce and precious and was minted during a major prospecting period. It is believed that only two pieces bearing the 1849 date were made, one of which is displayed at this museum.
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The body of this mummified man turned to soap and is being stored and studied at the National Museum of Natural History. He was discovered in the "City of Brotherly Love," which is also home to the soap lady.
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Using a classic children's toy set, two college students built one of the first heart pumps. The contraption is a far cry from technology nowadays; watch the demo videos about this pencil-eraser-sized pump.
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The "real solid liquid" that has enchanted kids for ages has its own special collection at this museum. Watch a commercial demonstrating its many fun uses, or pick up some of your own goo.
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Although not on display, some muscle tissue from the leg of a woolly mammoth resides at this museum. Scientists have been wondering, could the mammoth live again?
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