Smithsonian Open Access
Millions of images and 3D scans from the Smithsonian's collections, released with no copyright restrictions at all.
Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.
How to get the most from it
Smithsonian Open Access sits in History & Time under Learn, filed as coffee break.
- Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
- It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
- It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
- No account needed — you can start without signing up.
- Go in expecting something beautiful and useful.
About this category: Historical maps, timelines, primary sources and the strange experience of seeing a moment in time laid out as an interface.
Good for
- Filling a coffee break properly
- Looking at something lovely
- Getting something practical done
- A quiet break at your desk
- Killing time on your phone
- Trying it with zero commitment
Smithsonian Open Access: quick answers
Is Smithsonian Open Access free?
Yes. Smithsonian Open Access is free to use and needs no account.
Do I need an account to use Smithsonian Open Access?
No. You can use Smithsonian Open Access without signing up for anything.
Does Smithsonian Open Access work on a phone?
Yes. Smithsonian Open Access works on phones as well as desktop browsers.
Is Smithsonian Open Access safe for work?
Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.
How long does Smithsonian Open Access take?
We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.
More in History & Time
All 16 in History & TimeA history map with a timeline slider, layered with rulers, religions, battles and linked encyclopedia articles.
- 1 hr+
- Desktop
Scanned American newspapers from 1770 to 1963, full-text searchable, which is a dangerous thing to discover on a weeknight.
- 1 hr+
- Desktop
Over a hundred thousand high-resolution scanned maps, georeferenced and free to zoom into more or less indefinitely.
- 1 hr+
- Desktop
One search across thousands of American libraries, archives and museums, with curated exhibitions layered on top.
- 1 hr+
Same mood: beautiful
All beautiful sitesExtrudes type into three dimensions, wraps it round shapes and lets it drift, exporting the result as a loop.
- 10 min
- Desktop
Solar flares, sunspot counts and geomagnetic storm levels in real time, plus the aurora forecast that decides whether tonight is worth the drive.
- 10 min
Public domain classics reset properly — typography fixed, typos corrected, covers designed — and then given away.
- 10 min
The planetarium in a browser tab — set your location and it shows exactly what is above you right now.
- <1 min
Keep exploring
Category
Time and mood
Have a site of your own? Suggest it for Detour or browse the AltFTool backlinks hub.