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Your Place in Time is an exhibit at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. It’s located at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and showcases technologies that shaped the five different generations of the 20th century.
Progressive Generation
The first generation covered is the Progressive Generation (born between 1890-1919). They witnessed the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the Wright Brothers’ first flight as well as Babe Ruth and mass migrations. On display is a moving picture theatre showing silent movies and a 1917 Overland touring car among other items.
War Generation
Next is the War Generation (born between 1920-1932), who lived through some difficult times, including the Great Depression and World War II. They also witnessed the rise of Hollywood and grew up listening to the radio. One feature of this generation is a living room set up around a radio, telling the story of the War of the Worlds broadcast that caused major panic around the country.
Baby Boomers
Moving along are the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964). The largest generation of the 20th century, they witnessed the moon landing, the Kennedy assassination, the rise of the Beatles, and fought in the Vietnam War. Representing their generation are a jukebox, typical teenage clothing of the era, Cold War memorabilia, and an early television.
Generation X
Fourth is Generation X (born between 1965 and 1979). They were shaped by a boom in affordable technology. Generation X witnessed Star Wars, the rise of personal computers, and the AIDS epidemic. On display are several different electronics, including Simon, an Atari Home Pong console, an Atari 2600 console, and Texas Instruments Speak & Spell.
There’s also a replica teenager’s bedroom featuring a Pet Rock, cassette player, and a messy unmade bed as well as a case containing an 8-track player.
Millennials
Finally are the Millennials (born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s), who grew up with the Internet, cell phones, and rapidly advancing technology. This section was most interesting to me because it featured several items I grew up with.
Some of the items on display are a Nintendo Game Boy, a pair of Nike Air Jordans, an RCA VCR, and an Apple Macintosh.
