"Mystery Boxes" In Exhibits. Why J.J. Abrams Would Make a Great Exhibit Developer

J.J. Abrams, one of the creative folks behind the TV show LOST, gave this talk about the role of mystery in his life and work at a recent TED conference.

Abrams speaks about his grandfather, who started the science supply company Kelvin Electronics. The two of them would take apart "mystery boxes", like telephones or radios to see what was inside. In a similar way, Abrams builds "mystery boxes" into his storytelling, so that viewers will be intrigued and want to find out more about what makes things happen in the particular universe of each of his stories.

One takeaway for exhibit developers is to look for the ways to create "mystery boxes" for visitors to uncover in the content or design of our exhibit spaces.