On March 31, the Prometheus in the Desert exhibition opened at the Western Heritage Museum. The exhibition examines the Manhattan Project and its enduring global impact. Timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the project’s completion, the exhibit offers visitors an immersive journey through history, featuring cutting-edge digital experiences, detailed interpretive panels, and historically significant artifacts.
In collaboration with the museum, Ideum designed and developed the exhibition’s centerpiece - a fully interactive digital timeline displayed on a 65” Platform II touch table. This timeline allows visitors to explore key moments and scientific breakthroughs of the atomic age, beginning with entries from World War I, and provides a deep dive into the inception, development, and impact of the Manhattan Project. The experience is enriched with dynamic animations and videos that bring to life the stories of the scientists, engineers, and military personnel involved. In addition to events, it explores the complex scientific principles behind nuclear fission, the logistical challenges of the project, and the ethical debates surrounding the use of atomic weapons, contextualizing the historical significance of the atomic age.
Beyond the digital experience, Ideum designed and produced 27 large-scale interpretive panels that accompany the timeline, providing in-depth insights into crucial topics, such as daily life in Los Alamos during this time, as well as the lasting significance the Manhattan Project had in shaping modern history. Crafted from acrylic, vinyl, and direct-to-surface printing, the panels offer a tactile and visually appealing complement to the interactive touch table.
The exhibition also incorporates physical artifacts, including props and costumes from the movie Oppenheimer, and a full-scale replica of Los Alamos' East Main Gate, offering visitors a tangible connection to history.
As part of the exhibit’s launch, a special lecture by Alan Carr, Senior Historian at Los Alamos National Laboratory, took place on April 3, 2025. This lecture provided expert analysis and deeper historical context, enhancing the visitor experience.
The Prometheus in the Desert exhibit exemplifies Ideum’s commitment to blending technology, storytelling, and historical scholarship. The interactive and visually compelling experience ensures that the legacy of the Manhattan Project continues to educate and engage audiences. Prometheus in the Desert will run from March 31 to October 18, 2025.
Prometheus in the Desert is another entry into our vast portfolio of work exploring all different facets of World War II. Among these exhibits are Voices from the Front and Bayou to Battlefield at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. We are also working with the Battleship Missouri Memorial on the Pathway to Peace: USS Missouri’s World War II Experience, which will open on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in September 2025.
