Surgery enters Virtual World
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 (13:06 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Hip replacement outcomes could become far more predictable thanks to a revolutionary virtual surgery system developed by European researchers. The IST-funded MULTISENSE project combined Virtual Reality, force-feedback systems, tissue profiling and stereoscopic vision to create virtual patients that mimic the tissue of real patients. Surgeons can now perform a hip-replacement operation on a virtual copy of their real patient. More importantly, after the virtual surgery doctors can get a read-out indicating the likely success of the operation. This is a major step forward for prosthetic orthopaedics. "Right now, many implants fail, but for some of them we've no definite idea about why they fail," says MULTISENSE scientific coordinator Cinzia Zannoni, a researcher at CINECA. "The really unique aspect of MULTISENSE is that it will give an indication of if an implant in a particular patient will fail." Surgeons can then test another implant to determine if that has a better chance of success. The key to the MULTISENSE system is the Muscular Modelling tool. This is a semi-automatic modelling function that takes data from CT scans to make a virtual reconstruction of an individual patients' muscle tissue. "We have to customise the system to model the tissue of the individual patient to get an accurate indication of the probable outcome before each virtual surgery," says Zannoni. It's a very advanced application of virtual reality. Up to now, most medical systems simply replicated specific conditions, like appendicitis, for educational uses. The MULTISENSE system is tailored to specific patients. The Muscle Modelling system is tied to a haptic, or force-feedback, system. Medical haptics are a vast advance on the feedback system used in the joysticks of games consoles. These devices create the force and resistance of real tissue, so when surgeons make a cut they feel the sensation of real surgery. Add to that a stereoscopic viewing system and doctors can see, and feel, the surgery during the planning stage. The haptic and virtual reality systems can also be voice controlled using simple commands. "A doctor would say 'I'm cutting the skin' or, 'I'm lifting the muscle', and the haptic system will adjust the force and pressure to suit that stage of the operation," says Zannoni. It means the operation is as close to reality as is possible with current systems. The system could prove very cost effective if it reduces the number of implant failures, particularly since predictions indicate that hip implants will grow with Europe's ageing population. In the future, MULTISENSE could also be adapted to work in Computer-Aided Surgery. "We designed our system to work at every stage of the operation, from planning to actual surgery. Right now it will be used only for planning the surgery, but if there is a need it could help doctors to perform operations, too." This is a growing are in medical science, with doctors increasingly taking advantage of the precision of robotic arms, for example. The system could also be used for other surgeries, though MULTISENSE currently has no plans to develop them. Currently surgeons are evaluating the prototype. Once that's completed, Italian company SCS-B3C will commercialise the software and the system. The haptic research will be exploited by a British company," says Zannoni.

	REAL D Announces Largest Ever North American Deployment of Digital 3-D Cinema
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 (12:44 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Driving a historic rollout of digital cinema in North America, REAL D, the leader in the delivery of premium 3D experiences, has reached five-year licensing deals with 24 theater circuits in the United States, Canada and Mexico for the initial installment of REAL D Cinema systems for the exhibition of digital 3D content. Eighty-five screens in the United States and Canada and four screens in Mexico will offer feature presentations in the REAL D Cinema format starting with the Nov. 4, 2005 launch of Disney's "Chicken Little," the highly anticipated, first-ever CG animated feature from the studio. AMC Theatres, Century Theatres, Dickinson Theatres, Harkins Theatres, Loews Cineplex Entertainment, Muvico Theaters, National Amusements, Rave Motion Picture Theaters and Regal Entertainment Group are among the U.S. and Canadian based theater chains adding REAL D Cinema systems to venues in top markets. CINEMEX, Cinepolis and MMCinemas will offer REAL D Cinema on screens in Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico. A complete list of REAL D Cinema partners is below. "REAL D Cinema is the next step in the evolution of cinema," said Michael V. Lewis, Chairman, REAL D. "It not only provides our exhibitor partners with premium entertainment experiences that can't be duplicated at home, but it also equips theaters with the latest digital entertainment capabilities and expands their opportunities to deliver new and unique programming." "Digital 3D cinema is the future, and theater owners looking to differentiate and improve the movie-going experience are choosing REAL D Cinema for its quality images, ease of use and affordability," said Joseph Peixoto, President, Worldwide Cinema, REAL D. "REAL D Cinema is the first system capable of capturing a sizeable cinematic footprint, making 3D a mainstream reality." REAL D will announce additional exhibition partners in the coming months as the company works towards its goal of equipping more than 1,000 screens globally with REAL D Cinema systems over the next two years to accommodate the future release of 3D content, including motion pictures and live events. REAL D Cinema systems adhere to the technical specifications for theatrical digital equipment outlined by Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC (DCI), allowing for any compliant digital system to be upgraded to a REAL D Cinema system. REAL D Cinema systems comprise several components, including a specially treated movie screen; REAL D Cinema glasses; and a REAL D Cinema Z-Screen lens that mounts in front of the digital projector, enabling the projector to show 3D. Customized software by REAL D integrates the components to deliver a flawless 3D movie experience. Exhibitors are choosing REAL D Cinema systems for their ability to play either digital 2D or 3D content using the same projector, and for REAL D Cinema's 3D glasses, which are easily stylized and can be taken home by the audience as souvenirs. "REAL D Cinema is the first truly transforming technology to meaningfully enhance the movie-going experience," said Tom Stephenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rave Motion Picture Theaters. "Digital cinema is nothing without 3D. 3D is the killer app for digital cinema." "We're enthused to work with Disney and REAL D to rollout this exciting next step in exhibition entertainment," said Tony Kerasotes, Chief Executive Officer, Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres. "We are very excited with the recent partnership of REAL D Cinema and MegaPlex Theatres," said Dale Harvey, General Manager, MegaPlex Theatres, part of the Larry H. Miller Group. "The exceptional pairing of REAL D Cinema's digital and 3D technology will give our movie audiences a unique experience and more reasons than ever to see Hollywood's latest movies at MegaPlex Theatres. We are looking forward to our first 3D show of "Chicken Little" on November 4th." The following U.S. and Canadian theater circuits and independently owned theaters will be equipped with REAL D Cinema systems: AccessIT's Pavilion Digital Showcase Theatre AMC Theatres Celebration Cinema Century Theatres Cineplex Galaxy LP Classic Cinemas Crown Theatres, LLC Dickinson Theatres/Midwest Cinema Group Harkins Theatres Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, LLC Loews Cineplex Entertainment Malco Theatres, Inc. Mann Theatres MegaPlex Theatres, Inc. MJR THEATRES Muvico Theaters National Amusements Premiere Theaters, LLC Rave Motion Picture Theaters Regal Entertainment Group Santikos Theatres Select screens at the following Mexican theater chains will be equipped with REAL D Cinema systems: CINEMEX Cinepolis MMCinemas

	Advertising in 3D at the 3D Center of Art and Photography
3D-News Posted: Monday, October 24, 2005 (13:22 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
On the Gallery walls, John Dennis has assembled an exhibition of advertising done in 3D. You won't want to miss these ads, dating from the 1930s to the present, for everything from beds to beer and cars to cattle. The hourly slide show allows viewers to experience underwater creatures and vistas in captivating 3D! Come see the continuation of John Roll's love of deep-sea stereo in Further 3D Sea Adventures, Part II. The 3D Center also houses a collection of antique and contemporary stereo cameras, viewers and other devices. Information panels and interactive displays explain the phenomenon of 3D vision. The Center's collection of stereocards are available for viewing and the reference library is open to visitors. There are daily 3D slide projections. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays from 1 pm until 5 pm. Open First Thursday from 4pm until 9 pm. Admission by donation. 1928 NW Lovejoy, Portland/Oregon, USA. Tel.: 1 (503) 227-6667, Web: http://www.3dcenter.us.

	Samsung demos 3D camera, display for cellphones
3D-News Posted: Monday, October 24, 2005 (13:08 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
While cameraphones in America and Europe can still barely manage to capture a picture whose elements can actually be identified, our friends in Korea will soon be snapping 3D photos with their advanced mobiles. Samsung recently demonstrated a working concept that incoporates stereoscopic cameras and a 3D-capable display directly into a cellphone, allowing for a more lifelike rendition of the subject. The stereo camera works under the same principle as human eyesight, while a parallax barrier LCD display gives on-screen images more depth and robustness. The new camera setup and displays should start appearing on foreign handsets next year, by which time we'll hopefully be seeing 3 megapixel phones with optical zooms elsewhere in the world.

	DDD launches 3D TV Set-Top Conversion Box
3D-News Posted: Monday, October 24, 2005 (12:59 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
DDD Group plc, the 3D software and content company, today announces the introduction of the TriDef® Vision 3D set top box ('Vision '). Vision automatically converts most popular consumer video formats to 3D as they are watched, allowing any broadcast, DVD and videocassette content to be presented in 3D on the latest 3D displays and projection systems. The delivery of the Vision set top box represents the final milestone in a £140,000 development agreement with Arisawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ('Arisawa'), announced in late 2004. By combining the real time 3D conversion capabilities of the Vision with the large 30" 3D LCD displays developed by Arisawa's optoelectronics division, Arisawa and DDD have delivered an efficient and effective solution for mass-market 3D television. Using Arisawa's innovative 3D optics, the flat screen 3D televisions are capable of displaying conventional 2D pictures as well as 3D. When the viewer decides to watch in 3D, they simply activate the Vision set top box using their remote control and put on a pair of 3D glasses. The system then delivers a 3D image from any viewing position in the living room with the same clarity and quality as the latest 3D digital cinemas. In addition to the real time conversion feature, the Vision also supports the playback of specially made 3D movies. This yields an important in-home distribution channel for the latest generation of Hollywood 3D movies that are in production for the new 3D digital cinemas that are presently being opened around the United States. The Vision is compatible with DVD, video and broadcast standards used in the United States, Japan and Europe. Vision also supports twin projectors allowing it to be used in trade show and professional/educational venues where big screen 3D is required for large audiences. Both Arisawa and DDD are now actively engaged in presentations and discussions with leading flat screen display manufacturers with the goal of licensing the combined solution for mass-market 3D television. "Vision represents another substantial achievement for our company," said Chris Yewdall, Chief Executive of DDD. "DDD's real time 3D conversion solutions have been instrumental in our recent agreements for PC and mobile telephone solutions while Vision now allows us to expand the 3D viewing experience into more popular consumer products including 3D flat screen television. We are very pleased with the visual quality that we have achieved in conjunction with Arisawa and we are now jointly focused on securing mass market licensees for our combined solution." "We are excited by the recent reaction to the combined Arisawa/DDD 3D television solution," said Dr. Sanji Arisawa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arisawa. "We are seeing increasing interest in consumer 3D television and we expect that this easy to use solution will demonstrate that the television market is now within reach for our prospective licensees."

	Louis Vuitton chooses Alioscopy for the decoration of its new Champs Elysées store in Paris, France
3D-News Posted: Friday, October 14, 2005 (18:27 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Three Lenticular images are displayed, showing details of a luxury gold watch. The pictures were shot and produced by the APLM company, using its high quality Alioscopy process for lenticular image and video. The size of the Vuitton images is 33 x 48 cm, with 15 points of view. Alioscopy allows the making of large images, for instance to show a standing man at scale one. APLM mainly works on communication, industrial, museography and custom projects. For more information, see http://www.alioscopy.com

	M3 Design & Zebra Imaging Create 3D Hologram Machine Breakthrough
3D-News Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 (23:49 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Zebra Imaging teamed with M3 Design to incorporate their unique technology into the first on-location, rapid holographic imaging machine called the Zebra M1 Imager. The Zebra M1 stands to transform the way industries evaluate ideas by providing on-demand 3D visualizations of any type of data sets. A collaborative team of M3 engineers and Zebra scientists designed the machine to meet the needs of the most demanding defense, automotive and manufacturing customers by dramatically improving timing and portability. The Zebra M1 produces monochrome holograms in just 20 minutes per square foot as compared to one day per square foot with the previous machine. Additionally, it is narrow enough to be wheeled though a standard size door. On discussing the business impact of the M1 Imager, Robin Curle, President, CEO and Chairman of Zebra Imaging said, "This design breakthrough and derivation of Zebra's product offering would not have been possible without the expertise of M3 Design. They met a tight time frame to complete a project in six months that previously took eighteen. M3's employees are now a vital part of Zebra's team. We think of them as a development partner, not a contractor." Terry Branson, President and Founder of M3 Design, replied: "Complex projects of this scope provide the opportunity to showcase our technical expertise. One of M3 Design's competencies is providing deep engineering solutions to clients. Our team was able to use their engineering skills to meet the needs of Zebra's desired customers." Zebra's holographic images currently provide invaluable 3D visualizations of urban and non-urban terrain to the Defense Department. In the past soldiers relied on 2D paper maps and sand table models to plan combat operations. With the M1 the military can now image 3D holograms to create situational understanding and expose potential threats. Other application areas made possible by the Zebra M1 include: visualization/verification of design and engineering data sets; oil and gas upstream visualization; pharmaceutical, medical and microscopy imagery; and marketing and entertainment.

	DDD Group gets South Korean patent for its DDC technology
3D-News Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 (16:09 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
DDD Group PLC announced that it has been awarded a key South Korean patent for its 2D to 3D conversion technology known as "Dynamic Depth Cueing" ("DDC"). The DDC patents enable a wide range of mass-market 3D applications for viewing on autostereoscopic displays.

	Anchor Bay Entertainment and Carsey-Werner Bows '3rd Rock From The Sun: Season Two'
3D-News Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 (12:18 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Television's funniest alien family is back for another season of studying a confusing planet and its confounding inhabitants. On October 25th, Anchor Bay Entertainment - an IDT Entertainment company - and Carsey-Werner will release Season Two of the award-winning comedy "3rd Rock From The Sun" on DVD. Created by Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner (co-creators, "That 70's Show") and co-executive produced by Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner ("That 70's Show," "The Cosby Show," "Roseanne") and Caryn Mandabach, the series debuted in 1996 and quickly became a classic. This four-disc DVD set will be available with an SRP of $39.98. With a list of special features reaching cosmic dimensions, this set includes a pair of 3D glasses for the very special 3D season finale! "3rd Rock From The Sun: Season Two" revisits the Solomon family: Dick (John Lithgow - "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"), Sally (Kristen Johnston - "Strangers With Candy"), Harry (French Stewart - "The New Partridge Family") and Tommy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt - "Treasure Planet"). In addition, Jane Curtin ("Our Town," "Kate & Allie"), Wayne Knight ("Cheaper By The Dozen"), Simbi Khali ("We Were Soldiers"), Elmarie Wendel ("George Lopez," "And The Band Played On") are back as the humans increasingly influenced by these spacey out-of-towners. In reality, the Solomons are a team of highly intelligent aliens sent to Earth - fictional Rutherford, Ohio, to be exact - to study the ways of humankind. Although they assume human form to blend in, fitting in is quite another matter! Dick Solomon is the High Commander, who finds a job at the University of Ohio as Professor of Physics. Dick's military officer, Sally, has been given a sexy female shape and his intelligence specialist is disguised as an average adolescent named Tommy. And only because there was extra room on the voyage, Harry Solomon was invited to go along. Ironically, it is only Harry - a stand out in an already eccentric family - who can communicate with The Big Giant Head, their fearless leader back home. Dr. Mary Albright (Curtin) is the Dean of the University, to whom Dick is becoming increasingly attracted, and Wayne Knight is Officer Don, the object of Sally's desire - but only when he's in uniform! Stars abound in Season Two of this cosmic comedy. Special guests include George Takei ("Star Trek"), Harry Morgan ("M*A*S*H"), Mark Hamill ("The Star Wars Trilogy"), Al Franken ("The Al Franken Show"), Laraine Newman ("Saturday Night Live," "Monsters, Inc."), Greg Proops ("Situation: Comedy"), Christine Baranski ("Chicago"), Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman ("Monsters, Inc."), football coach Mike Ditka and basketball superstar Dennis Rodman. In Season Two the Solomons continue to explore topics which still baffle us, such as politics, motherhood, Christmas, finding a parking space and of course, romance. In the hour-long season finale, they discover dreaming - and are so overwhelmed they consider going home for repairs! The dream sequences for this episode were filmed in 3D and in addition, a never-aired alternative ending was filmed. Anchor Bay Entertainment and Carsey-Werner will include this never-before-seen ending as well as a pair of 3D glasses so viewers can enjoy this multi-dimensional finale to its fullest! For more information and to pre-order, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AQ69TA/stereocomtheworl .

	Spatial View opens Web shop and makes getting 3D as easy as point and click
3D-News Posted: Monday, October 10, 2005 (16:00 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Spatial View Inc. announced the start of its new e-commerce site. The entire Spatial View 3D software product line will now be offered for online purchase at the new SVI Web shop at the Spatial View website. The service will handle sales from customers worldwide. Business can be conducted in either Euros or U.S. Dollars depending on locale. Spatial View's 3D imaging technology is putting a new face on the stereoscopic experience, with a line of products designed for Entertainment, Media, and Healthcare. SVI software products support all types of 3D displays – all modern auto-stereoscopic screens as well as the traditional red/cyan glasses.

	Penn Surgeons Use Completely Robotic Surgery to Successfully Treat Prostate Cancer
3D-News Posted: Thursday, October 6, 2005 (11:15 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among American men. It is estimated that one in six males will develop the disease during his lifetime. However, promising new treatment options have been developed to help combat this threatening disease. One of the most innovative of these treatments is robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (removal of the prostate). The University of Pennsylvania Health System is currently one of only a handful of facilities across the country offering this minimally invasive, high-tech treatment. David I. Lee, M.D., a national expert in robotic surgery, was recruited to Penn and named Chief of the Division of Urology at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where the robotic prostate program is based. There are many factors that make robotics an exceptionally valuable tool in the operating room during prostate surgery, for both the patient and surgeon. "Perhaps two of the most-feared possible long-term effects of a radical prostatectomy are erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence," says Dr. Lee. "My specially-trained team and I have discovered that by using the robotic technique there is greater nerve sparing, which provides patients with the best chance for maintaining potency and continence." Robotic technology offers a number of advantages during surgery. For instance, the robotic "arms" filter even minute tremors of the human hand so to provide steadiness. The robot's camera also provides a three-dimensional, stereoscopic image of the body's interior, as opposed to a two-dimensional image on a flat screen. This improved perspective enables depth perception that sharpens the visualization of the prostate and the network of nerves and tissue surrounding it. Additionally, by scaling down the motion of the robotic instruments, the surgeon can perform extremely precise, intricate movements during the procedure. For example, if the surgeon's hand moves five centimeters, he/she can scale the robotic hand to move only one centimeter. Robotic technology also offers a number of advantages after surgery. Because laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive and no large incisions are involved, robotic-assisted surgery provides numerous benefits for prostate cancer patients, including: less pain and scarring, diminished blood loss, a shorter hospital stay and reduced recovery period for a quicker return to daily activities. The actual robot consists of a tower that manipulates instruments controlled from a console that is situated a few feet from the patient. At the console, the surgeon operates four robotic "arms" and "wrists" using hand and foot controls. One of the robotic arms holds a tiny video camera, one works as a retractor and the other two replicate the surgeon's exact hand movements. The camera and instruments are inserted through small keyhole incisions in the patient's abdomen. The surgeon then directs the robotic instruments to dissect the prostate gland and surrounding tissue. Unlike standard laparoscopic approaches that require counter-intuitive movements by surgeons (whereby the surgeon must move his hand to the left in order to move the mechanical device to the right), the robotic technology affords surgeons the direct, "intuitive" control they exercise in traditional open surgical procedures, seamlessly translating their natural hand, wrist and finger movements at the console into corresponding micro-movements of laparoscopic surgical instruments inside the patient's body. Penn has been using fully robotic surgery for cardiac patients for the past three years and is currently studying its use for head and neck cancer surgeries. "The robotic prostate program is a continuation of Penn's commitment to finding and applying the most precise, most beneficial surgical techniques to put patients on a quicker road to recovery with better outcomes," said Dr. Lee.

	Warner Bros. Pictures' Happy Feet to be simultaneously released as IMAX(R) 3D film in November 2006
3D-News Posted: Monday, October 3, 2005 (22:10 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Highly-Anticipated Holiday Release from the Maker of "Babe" Features an All-Star Ensemble Cast IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Happy Feet, an animated musical comedy about a tap-dancing Emperor Penguin and his adventures in the Antarctic, will be released domestically in IMAX® 3D simultaneous with the film's 2D premiere in conventional theatres on November 17, 2006. The film is directed by George Miller (the Babe films, Lorenzo's Oil and the Mad Max trilogy) with an all-star ensemble cast, featuring the voices of Nicole Kidman, Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman and Brittany Murphy. Happy Feet will be digitally converted into IMAX 3D and utilize proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. Warner Bros. Pictures will be the exclusive distributor of the film to the growing worldwide IMAX® theatre network, as well as to conventional theaters worldwide. Said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures, "People who have seen footage of Happy Feet have been tremendously entertained and IMAX 3D is going to amplify that experience. The IMAX network has become a valuable part of our release strategy, and we're pleased to continue adding great films to the pipeline, which now includes three Warner Bros. Pictures - IMAX 3D releases for next year." Agreed Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, "We enjoyed an enthusiastic reception to the release of The Polar Express in the IMAX 3D format last year, and, with Happy Feet in IMAX 3D, we look forward to the continued expansion of our relationship with IMAX overseas." "We believe Happy Feet is going to be a major draw for IMAX theatres around the world next holiday season," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We are very encouraged by the heavy demand we're seeing from both Hollywood studios and commercial exhibitors for films converted into spectacular IMAX 3D, and delighted to continue filling out next year's commercial film slate, which is being solidified faster and earlier than ever before." "Happy Feet has everything we look for in an IMAX release: cutting edge visuals, a heartwarming tale for audiences of all ages, an unforgettable musical score, and an incredible filmmaker with a unique vision. The film is going to look and sound spectacular as An IMAX 3D Experience®," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "There were a number of outstanding titles to choose from for our 2006 holiday release, and given the great working relationship we've established with Warner Bros. Pictures, as well as the fantastic character of this film, we feel Happy Feet is the perfect choice." Happy Feet is a comedy adventure set in the land of the Emperor Penguins in the heart of Antarctica. These penguins sing, each needing their own special song to attract a soul mate. Unfortunately, our hero Mumble (ELIJAH WOOD), son of Memphis (HUGH JACKMAN) and Norma Jean (NICOLE KIDMAN), is the worst singer in the world... but he can tap dance something fierce! Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy-Miller Film, Happy Feet, directed by George Miller. Written by George Miller, John Collee, Judy Morris and Warren Coleman. Produced by Doug Mitchell, Bill Miller and George Miller. Executive Producers are Graham Burke and Bruce Berman. Music composed by John Powell.

	The Art of Structural Design: A Swiss Legacy
3D-News Posted: Monday, October 3, 2005 (13:33 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Presented by the University of Toronto Art Centre & Department of Civil Engineering, this exhibition runs from September 27, 2005 to January 21, 2006, and explores the work of Robert Maillart, Othmar Ammann, Heinz Isler and Christian Menn, four Swiss engineers who are widely recognized as the most influential and innovative structural designers of the twentieth century. "Rarely does a new art form emerge to challenge old ideas about artistic boundaries. This has happened in our present age, with the birth of the art of structural engineering," says exhibition curator David Billington. These engineers are known not only for the quality of their work, but also for the elegance and beauty of their designs. These designs are explained and animated in the exhibition by scale models of some of the designers most widely recognized projects; original notebooks by Heinz Isler of Pierre Lardy class lectures; a 47-foot-long "hanging book" display with representations of original drawings and photographs; a CD Rom with specially developed project website; a public television documentary of Othmar Ammann, the designer of the George Washington bridge; and an interactive stereoscopic photography display.

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