The Museum of Natural History and Technology in Munich is widely known simply as the Deutsches Museum. Apparently this is because it is the world's largest collection dedicated to science and technology. Its exhibits showcase the capabilities of more than half a hundred branches of science. There are around 28,000 objects in the collection.
As the museum aims to popularise science, children will find it very interesting, as the exhibits make specialist knowledge accessible and understandable. And the presentation of the material is not only interesting for boys, who are often fascinated by technology, but also for everyone who doesn't usually realise how many objects have appeared around them thanks to the development of science.
Some of the museum's exhibits are surprisingly large. For example, there are huge sailing ships in the Nautical Hall. Not only can you learn about the intricacies of seafaring, but you can also see how sailors used to live. In a special tub you can watch boats of different shapes sail by. But much bigger than sailing ships is the deadly V-2 rocket: you have to climb a ladder around it to see it.
The hall dedicated to engines not only illustrates the development of industry, but also man's powers of observation. Of course, the creation of the internal combustion engine required a great deal of intellectual work, but can we not appreciate the intelligence of the ancient people who learned to harness the power of water and wind? Now windmills are making a comeback — the modern planet needs green energy.
There are two other interesting museums within 1.2 km that we recommend visiting as a family: Toy Museum and Museum Five Continents.
The Historic Aviation exhibition features many original aircraft of all shapes and sizes. The ground floor and mezzanine gallery above focus on the history of flight in the first half of the 20th century, a period of rapid technological progress.
A key theme of the exhibition is the impact of the two world wars on the development of aviation. Level 1 covers the period of the Weimar Republic, the years from 1933 to the end of the Second World War and an overview of aircraft engines. The gallery is dedicated to model and glider flying. Media stations and hands-on exhibits tell the fascinating story of aviation among impressive exhibits such as the Junkers F13 and Messerschmitt Me 262.
By the way, here you can finally understand how planes fly. A special model shows how the lift of a wing changes as it tilts and where turbulence occurs. Equally interesting are the exhibits that explain the laws of bridge construction.
Countdown, launch, achievement and survival in space: The Astronautics exhibition is arranged in chronological order, corresponding to mankind's journey into space.
An overview of our solar system is followed by information on early rocket technology, the development of rocket engines and human spaceflight, including Spacelab. The functions of satellites and probes are discussed, followed by remote sensing. Numerous exhibits and models such as rocket sleds, spacesuits and the Helios probe, as well as media stations and interactive demonstrations, ensure a truly 'universal' experience!
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The museum has something for everyone. The Mathematics Room demonstrates the amazing properties of numbers, while the Chronology Room tells the story of time-keeping instruments, from clepsydra to super-precise clocks. The Materials and Technology Room has an exhibition of technical toys, from children's builders to complex mechanisms.
Music lovers will be delighted by the collection of musical instruments, from tiny harmonica players to huge organs. Visitors can also go on an incredible adventure. Take off in a helicopter, meet a furry robot kitten, descend into a mine and see miners at work, cause lightning (safely for others) or create a rainbow — no child will refuse.
For children aged 3 to 8, the museum has created a children's kingdom — 1,000 activities to help them learn about the laws of mechanics, optics and acoustics, get to know the world of technology and just have fun playing with lights or controlling a river. As the Deutsches Museum is huge, it's good to know that there are two cafes on the premises.
