Iowa's Legacy in Fluid Mechanics

IIHR Student Demonstration Lab 1941

The Old Capitol Museum was proud to host the celebratory centennial exhibition by IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering at the University of Iowa, debuting in early 2020. During the pandemic-related closure, the Pentacrest Museums adapted this exhibit to a virtual offering, now available to guests from home. Featuring some of the university’s major contributions to large-river and other fluids-related research, the exhibit brings this work to life with extraordinary artifacts, stellar storytelling, and historical photos—each worth 1,000 words.

A River Flowed Through It highlights many of IIHR’s physical modeling projects in a breathtaking, interactive exhibit layout. Learn about IIHR’s contributions to the war effort during World War II; examine model ships from IIHR’s 60-year-old ship hydrodynamics program; watch how IIHR’s patented drop-shaft structure design improves municipal stormwater systems; see how IIHR has contributed to better sanitation in the early days of indoor plumbing; and learn about some of IIHR’s most impactful research, including the Mississippi River Lock and Dam System.

View Virtual Exhibit

 

View recordings of past virtual events in this series:

Exhibition Spotlight: A Century of IIHR Research on the Mississippi River (part I)

 

Exhibition Spotlight: A Century of IIHR Research on the Mississippi River (part II)