NOVA: The Miracle of Life: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A documentary film with the title NOVA: The Miracle of Life. It consists of two (2) reels of 16mm color polyester film with optical sound.

Using microphotographic techniques accompanied by voice-over narration, the film explores the various forms of reproduction. It opens with a discussion of the origins of life on Earth, in prehistoric oceans, before moving on to cellular reproduction through mitosis. The documentary also details human sexual reproduction and the various stages of the gestation period.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1982-1983
• Directed by: Bo G. Erikson, Swedish, born 1933
• Directed by: Carl O. Lofman
• Written by: Bo G. Erikson, Swedish, born 1933
• Written by: Carl O. Lofman
• Owned by: D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
• Type: sound films
• Type: color films (visual works)
• Type: 16mm (photographic film size)
• Medium: polyester film
• Dimensions: Duration (Reel 1): 24 Minutes
• Dimensions: Length (Film): 875 Feet
• Dimensions: Duration (Reel 2): 26 Minutes
• Dimensions: Length (Film): 925 Feet
• Place used: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Documentary films
• Topic: Film
• Topic: Nature
• Topic: Science
• Object number: 2017.55.103.1ab
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Transferred from the DC Public Library
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.