Exhibit shares story of TVA
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 24, 1999) -- A family in a rural
Tennessee town sits on the porch enjoying a summer evening in the late 1930s when the
electric bug zapper catches another one. Think those handy bug killers are just a modern
convenience? Sorry, the Tennessee Valley Authority was encouraging the use of bug zappers
and small appliances more than 60 years ago to promote use of its hot commodity
electricity.
A brass bug zapper will be just one of many interesting
items to view as Tennessee Technological University hosts a special exhibit taken from
TVA's Historic Collection. Selections from the 20,000-item collection valued at $10
million will be displayed March 15 to 31 in the university's Bryan Fine Arts Building
lobby.
"This exhibit will stir the imagination and enhance
perceptions viewers have about TVA and its effects on the people of the Tennessee
Valley," said Michael Dobrogosz, the collection's curator.
Each item chosen for display tells a part of TVA's history
in the region. Early industrial machinery, a quilt made by the wives of TVA workers and
photos share what life was like in communities during the early years. Small and large
appliances like irons and stoves point back to a time when using electricity to make life
easier was a novel idea.
"TVA took advantage of test demonstration farms to
show housewives how refrigerators, stoves, lamps and the like would make their work
easier," said Dobrogosz. "And all the while, this encouragement was creating new
consumers for their new product."
Another intriguing device on display will be a
"quack" medical device. As rumors of electricity's medicinal powers spread,
there was a rash of pseudo medical devices in the market place, with sellers claiming
these devices could cure just about anything.
"This display is all about preserving the history and
the accomplishments of TVA," said Dobrogosz. "It's also about reaching people
with a display that shines and glimmers and is enjoyable to look at and study."
The exhibit opening is a prelude to the Stonecipher
Symposium on Technology, Communication and Culture hosted by Tennessee Tech March 22-24.
The symposium's theme, "The Legacy of TVA," will include presentations on the
historical, environmental and sociological impacts of the organization.
Dobrogosz will present a slide show about the TVA archives
on Tuesday, March 23, noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Roaden University Center's OVC Room.
Students and faculty are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch or a cafeteria lunch into
the OVC room during the presentation.
CONTACT: Karen Lykins, 931/372-3084
Go to the Stonecipher Symposium
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Last updated: March 19, 1999