This exhibition delves into the history and importance of tungsten, the only chemical element isolated in the Basque Country. Fausto and Juan José Elhuyar successfully isolated this metal at Bergara's Laboratorium Chemicum in 1783. Its remarkable heat resistance, with a melting point of 3,222 degrees Celsius, makes it crucial for space exploration, used in radiation shielding for spacecraft and in rocket nozzles.
The exhibition, housed in the Errekalde palace, home to the Laboratorium Museoa, blends science, history, and future projections. Tungsten is globally recognized as a strategic element due to its hardness and resilience. The three rooms on the ground floor of the palace offer an immersive experience, inviting visitors to discover the W74 symbol from Mendeléyev's periodic table.
“"It goes from the past to the future. It invites us to look at our history again to better understand the present. Tungsten is a perfect example of how science can transform the world. Through this immersive experience, we want visitors to discover, but also to feel and reflect on the role of knowledge in our society."
The contemporary museography of 'W74' utilizes scenography, audiovisual technology, and historical artifacts from the museum's collection. The journey begins in an 18th-century enlightened salon, recreating the context of the Elhuyar brothers' discovery. A sensory tunnel then explores tungsten's role in 20th-century conflicts, such as its use in armor, and its current applications in fields like surgery.
To engage the public with science, the Laboratorium Museoa has also launched the 'Escape The Museum' experience. This will take place on the first Saturday of each month starting in May, at 5:00 PM. In this escape room, participants must help the Elhuyar brothers decode secret information and complete their discovery by searching for hidden clues within the museum's spaces. It is an ideal activity for families, groups of friends, and science enthusiasts over 12 years old, in teams of 5 to 10 people.
