What did Einstein think of museums?

The greatest mind of the 20th Century wasn't a renowned museum visitor. But if you examine some of Albert Einstein's quotes, you get the sense he actually longed to be a museum manager. For example did you know his famous equation E=MC2 actually stands for,


Engagement = Museum x Customer Care 2


Think about that for a minute and the power of the equation and why it makes sense becomes apparent. They only gave him the nobel prize for physics because there isn't one for museums...yet.


What about some of his more famous quotes?

With some slight amendments, they become incredibly perceptive insights into museums.

Two things are infinite: the universe and museum collections; and I'm not sure about the universe.

Interpretation without collections is lame, collections without interpretation is blind.

The most beautiful museum we can experience is the mysterious one. It is the source of all true art and science.

If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough to write an interpretation panel.

Museums: logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

Insanity: doing the same exhibition topic over and over again and expecting a different audience.

There are only two ways to manage your museum. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

Great curators have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre managers.

Every exhibition should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.

Museum sustainability is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.

Albert, we salute you!