Steampunks are go!

Many of the buildings in the Marais are quite anonymous, with their oblique facades causing adjacent attractions to appear more appealing. The National Archives' dull flat monolithic bulk contrasts vividly with Les Terrace brasserie opposite and its vivid clientele; and no matter how many hip and gay hotspots are located nearby, most of the utility offices scattered throughout the 5th arrondisement are positively ugly!

Appearances therefore can be deceiving and is probably the reason we had failed to venture across Rue Vaucanson to visit our neighbourly museum the Musee des Arts et Métiers and Conservatoire National des Artes et Métiers. We had noticed people eating lunch in Square du George Morin around a miniature Statue of Liberty and some colourful installations, but had been seduced by our local Cafe des Artes et Métiers on the opposite corner. What a surprising pleasure we had coming!

Founded in 1794 by L'Abbe Gregoire, the CNAM houses an extensive collection of technological innovations that we now take for granted. For example the worlds first television invented by Barthelemy (good old Barty!), and the first successful communications satelite Telstar (cue Heinz and The Tornedos ~ da, dada, da dada dada, da dadada, da dattada etc). You want Steampunk? You got it in spades at CNAM.
A soundtrack of the heaviest metal would barely rate against the din some of these babies must have produced. CNAM looks like it is curated by Motorhead's Lemmy!

Mirrored surfaces, brass constructions, intricate copper filigree, glass blown into every form, wooden housings and swinging pendulums ~ Difference engines of every industrial era! Kim was in her element identifying the advancements made in dictaphones and typewriters: "The first Apple computer!, I remember when my employers Wood, Fussell & Co bought a copy called an Apricot - it was a real lemon!". "Look!, there's Edison's phonograph ~ Now you're talking.". Steam trains, bi-planes, vacuum cleaners and Tupperware. It's all here, although the Doctor's Tardis would be a nice addition.

Such a wonderful experience requires a souvenir, other than the 246 photos captured on my iPhone, so we ventured to the Musee's giftshop to buy a few knicknacks. "Je suis desolee, Monsieur, the credit card machine is inoperable, and we can only sell to you if you have ze correct change". That's progress for you.