Smithsonian releases 2.8 million images into public domain – with more to come
For the first time in its 174-year history, the Smithsonian has released 2.8 million high-resolution two- and three-dimensional images from across its collections onto an open access online platform for patrons to peruse and download free of charge. Featuring data and material from all 19 Smithsonian museums, nine research centers, libraries, archives and the National Zoo, the new digital depot encourages the public to not just view its contents, but use, reuse and transform them into just about anything they choose—be it a postcard, a beer koozie or a pair of bootie shorts.
A lot of the images are drawings, but if you dig, you or your students can find something you can use. Because the images are in the public domain, you can do whatever you want with the images without worrying about copyright.
The Smithsonian put together a video to describe the project.
