The Chippewa Falls Museum of Industry and Technology has a huge exhibit on Seymour Cray’s supercomputers, with data boards and a collection of powerful tech machines.

The Chippewa Falls Museum of Industry & Technology is a great spot for the tech nerds (or soon-to-be tech nerds) in your family. The museum celebrates the local contributions made to some amazing advances in technology throughout history, from computing to footwear to firefighting. Bring the family to the museum for a cool look at some historical – and local – companies that helped the world right from the Chippewa Valley.

Cray Inc.

Seymour Cray founded Cray Research Inc. in 1972 in Chippewa Falls and his supercomputer, Cray-1, was installed at Los Alamos National laboratory in 1976. Today’s Cray Inc. is still a global leader in supercomputing, providing highly advanced supercomputers and services all over the world for different entities. The CFMIT has a whole exhibit on Cray and his supercomputers, including chunks of data pieces and super cool vintage computing equipment.

Mason Companies

The boot-makers got their start manufacturing logging boots and durable footwear for rivermen and lumberjacks in the early 1900s. The museum’s exhibit on the history of the company features some of the old boots they used to make, with photos of the old Mason headquarters, and insight into the process of boot-making, from then until now.

Darley

Ever since 1908, Darley has been at the forefront of life-saving fire-fighting technology. By manufacturing fire pumps and other emergency equipment, Darley has been making critical advancements to help fire fighters do their jobs efficiently and effectively. The museum features some of the old pumps with photos of them in action.

TECHNOLOGY STREET FAIR

Friday, Sept. 18 • 9am to 5pm • 21 E. Grand Ave., Chippewa Falls

The CFMIT Technology Street Fair featuring the Traveling Space Museum and local flight and technology booths will bring world-class equipment and technology right to Grand Avenue in Chippewa Falls. It’ll be a day of fun with interactive educational exhibits ranging from a mini jet and ISS Lab replica to RC airplanes and local race champions.

The CFMIT is open Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Learn more at www.cfmit.org.