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From letterpress printing to cryptology: for thousands of years, we have found ways to exchange information and store knowledge. See and experience this first hand – and even try things out yourself!

Image Script Codes Exhibition – overview

The exhibition is divided into the thematic areas of Image, Print, Writing and Cryptology. From the abundance of images, including RAF wanted posters, Otl Aicher’s 1972 Olympic posters and a gallery featuring Vincent van Gogh’s famous sunflower paintings, the exhibition moves on to image printing and letterpress printing. Here, the “Gutenberg Galaxy” takes centre stage. Opposite is the large printing press hall with impressive machines such as the high-speed press and the rotary printing press. Writing systems, which play a key role in printing technology, are covered in the next section of the exhibition. The focus is on the role of writing systems as a store of knowledge and cultural mediator across temporal and spatial boundaries. Cryptology then explores secret communication, providing insights into encryption and deciphering from antiquity to the digital age.

Programme in this exhibition

When will this event take place?

Discover which activities are taking place by checking our daily programme, which is published at around 9.20 each day. Our programme changes daily and includes guided tours, demonstrations, science shows and hands-on activities for individual visitors and small groups of up to five people. All programme events are held in German. They begin either directly where the activity is set to take place or at a guided-tour meeting point in the relevant exhibition.

Facts and Figures

  • Location: Level 2
  • Exhibition space: 1060 m2
  • Exhibits and models: approx. 300
  • Demonstrations and interactives: 32
  • Dioramas: 1
  • Media stations: 25

Do you have technical questions?