Wheelhouse Technology from Sounding Leads to Satellites Exhibit Opening

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is pleased to announce the launch of Wheelhouse Technology from Sounding Leads to Satellites, a major new exhibit and program series exploring the evolution of communication, navigation and fish finding and the impact of those changes on the fishing community. The exhibit opens on the April 11th AHA night when marine electronics technicians from Chris Electronics will be on hand to answer questions. The exhibit will remain on display through July 7th.

Over the past century, new technologies have allowed New Bedford’s fleet to arrive on the grounds faster, fish safer, and communicate more easily. But at what cost? This exhibit considers the evolution and impact of technological change on the industry, the community, and the fish. In addition to considering the science behind devices such as EPIRB, SONAR, and LORAN, the exhibit and programs will consider topics such as Technology & Privacy, Dependence on Technology, and Technology & Sustainability.

Funding for the exhibit and program series was provided by a National Maritime Heritage Grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, a project grant from Mass Humanities, a state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, and grants from Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and New Bedford Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council. The Center is grateful to Chris Electronics and the School for Marine Science and Technology for their extraordinary in-kind support, and the members of the fishing community who loaned or donated artifacts and shared their knowledge.