Mysteries at the Museum: LA Raid, Bioterror, Automaton

LA Raid, Bioterror, Automaton

Don unveils the real-life story behind an impressive work of art. He examines a simple tire cover connected to a bizarre religious cult. And he visits the robot that may have saved thousands of human lives in the worst nuclear disaster in American history.

Travel Guide

Find restaurants, accommodations and activities from this episode.

Who Attacked LA in 1942?

An item at Fort MacArthur Museum tells of a 1942 attack on LA ...

02:35

Cult Poisons Oregon Town

In 1984, a crazy cult unleashed a salmonella outbreak on an ...

02:27

Amazing Robot From 1928 Draws!

An amazing drawing robot from 1928 still dazzles with its ...

02:34

California 'Venus' Shot Dead

See how 'California Venus' Marian Nolan met with a shocking ...

02:25

LA Raid, Bioterror, Automaton

Check out Automaton at the Franklin Institute in ...

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Activity

The Fort MacArthur Museum

On display here is a primitive robot over two centuries old: the painted figurine of a boy seated behind an ornate desk. It’s an “automaton” – a machine that mimics the behavior of people or animals.

3601S Gaffey Street San Pedro, CA 90731

Activity

Oakland Museum of California

One of the most haunting artifacts here is the "California Venus" -- a white marble statue of a young woman. Its muse, Marian Nolan, was immortalized in this work of art after being named the most beautiful girl in all of California.

1000 Oak Street Oakland, CA 94607

Activity

Oregon Historical Society

One of the most haunting artifacts here is the “California Venues” -- a white marble statue of a young woman. Its muse, Marian Nolan, was immortalized in this work of art after being named the most beautiful girl in all of California.

1200 SW Park Avenue Portland, OR 97205

Activity

The Franklin Institute

On display here is a primitive robot over two centuries old: the painted figurine of a boy seated behind an ornate desk. It’s an “automaton” – a machine that mimics the behavior of people or animals.

222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Activity

The Walter P. Reuther Library

In the archives here is s a letter typed on American Pilots Union stationery addressed to the controversial leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro.

5401 Cass Ave. Detroit MI 48202

Activity

The State Museum of Pennsylvania

On display here is a heavy-duty steel robot outfitted with six wheels, cameras and mechanical arms and it’s able to venture where no human can. When this robot was called to duty, hundreds of thousands of lives were on the line.

300 North Street Harrisburg, PA 17120-0024

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