Smithsonian Open Access – Millions of Artifacts Free to Explore
History: In 2020, the Smithsonian Institution launched its Open Access initiative, releasing millions of 2D and 3D images into the public domain.
Functionality: This portal allows users to explore over 4 million items from all 19 Smithsonian museums, nine research centers, and libraries. The collection is incredibly diverse, spanning from historic aircraft and scientific specimens to iconic artworks. Users can download, share, and remix content without restriction.
Future Plans: A continuous effort to digitize and release millions more items, with a growing focus on 3D modelling of artifacts for research and public engagement.