[Nhcoll-l] Drones around real specimens?

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

Imagine being able to fly down an aisle of open drawers in a collection much like those iconic images from the Smithsonian.  Something like that would be so much more engaging that a static image.  Same goes for ethanol collection shelves or exhibits like our iconic panorama here at KU.

Now I need to put a bug in the ear of some drone pilots nearby 😊.  The closest we came was in using a snippet of some drone footage of the outside of our building for a collecting tour video we produced during COVID - https://mediahub.ku.edu/media/t/1_6i5a74g9

Andy
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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard<x-apple-data-detectors://9/>
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USA<x-apple-data-detectors://9/>

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Fax: (785) 864-5335<tel:%28785%29%20864-5335>
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258
http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu<http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>
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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Jennifer C. Dreyer
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 2:23 PM
To: simpson at fieldmuseum.org; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Drones around real specimens?

As a certified drone pilot myself and a curator for an invertebrate collection I agree with Andy that it would be highly unlikely for any damage to result from flying close to these types of specimens. Many of drones available on the market have sophisticated obstacle avoidance systems and experienced drone pilots can maneuver in extremely close quarters with amazing accuracy (and speed). The obvious concern is the experience of the drone operator as already pointed out. That is a more relevant question in terms of responsibility of care. The benefits of promoting natural history collections with non-traditional ways of engaging people seems to outweigh any potential risk in my opinion.  I only wish now that I had some cool, large invertebrate specimens to fly over with my drone. Alas, most of my invertebrates are tiny and would not make for a very interesting video. But a brilliant idea! I would love to see the link to the video if you can share that. Thanks,
Jenny Dreyer

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Jennifer Dreyer (she/her)
Research Manager
Curator of VIMS Invertebrate Collection
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
PO Box 1346 (mailing)
1370 Greate Rd. (shipping)
Gloucester Point, VA 23062
Email: jcdrey at vims.edu<mailto:jcdrey at vims.edu>
Phone: (804) 684-7903

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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu>> On Behalf Of William Simpson
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 1:49 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Drones around real specimens?


[EXTERNAL to VIMS received message]


Hi All,

I've just seen a promotional video taken by a drone flying inside a natural history museum, including getting close to real specimens such as mounted dinosaur skeletons.   What do you all think of this?  The video is a very engaging experience.  I am mulling over what message this sends to the public about a museum's attitude concerning its responsibilities for professional care vs increased public exposure.  Do the benefits of such promotion justify this?

Best,

Bill
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William F. Simpson (he)
Head of Geological Collections
McCarter Collections Manager, Fossil Vertebrates
Gantz Family Collections Center

Field Museum of Natural History
1400 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL. 60605
(312) 665-7628
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