Mysteries at the Museum Season 17 Episode 10 Madame X and More

In season 17, episode 10 of Mysteries at the Museum, titled "Madame X and More," viewers are taken on a journey through time to explore some of the most enigmatic and fascinating artifacts in museums across the world. The episode is hosted by Don Wildman, who takes on the role of a history detective as he investigates these mysterious objects and the stories behind them.

The episode begins with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where Wildman encounters a painting that has intrigued art historians for years - Madame X by John Singer Sargent. This iconic portrait of a woman wearing a revealing black dress caused a scandal when it was first exhibited in Paris in 1884. Wildman delves into the story behind the painting and the woman depicted in it, uncovering a tale of beauty, scandal, and tragedy.

Next, Wildman travels to the Columbus Museum in Georgia, where he investigates a pair of boots worn by a pioneering female aviator, Jerrie Mock. In 1964, Mock became the first woman to fly solo around the world, completing a gruelling 23,000-mile journey in her trusty plane, the Spirit of Columbus. Wildman examines the boots she wore on this historic flight and learns how they helped to protect her feet during her epic journey.

Moving on, Wildman visits the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in New York, where he investigates a piece of metal salvaged from the USS Arizona, the battleship that was famously destroyed in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The metal fragment is a poignant reminder of the lives lost in this devastating event and Wildman discovers how it came to be on display in the museum.

The episode then takes a darker turn as Wildman visits the Museum of the American Gangster in New York City to explore a gruesome artifact - a bullet-ridden car door that once belonged to notorious gangster Bugsy Siegel. Siegel was one of the most feared and ruthless gangsters of his time, and the car door bears the scars of a brutal assassination attempt against him in 1946. Wildman pieces together the events of that fateful night and the fallout that followed.

Finally, the episode concludes with a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, where Wildman investigates a bizarre contraption known as the Colladay Inertia Machine. This mechanical oddity was designed by inventor Burt Colladay in the early 20th century and was purported to harness the power of inertia to generate energy. Wildman examines how it works and whether it could have been a potential source of renewable energy.

Overall, "Madame X and More" offers a fascinating journey through time and space, uncovering the stories behind some of the most intriguing artifacts in museums across America. With Wildman as a knowledgeable and engaging guide, viewers are treated to a thrilling mix of history, mystery, and adventure.