A new exhibit at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma explores the mystery and the legacy of D.B. Cooper, the infamous skyjacker who jumped out of a plane with $200,000 in cash more than four decades ago.
It was a dark, rainy night on Nov. 24, 1971 when D.B. Cooper, who threatened to blow up an airplane, made his famous exit with the help of a parachute. Today, after countless leads and tips, the case is still open.
The Washington State History Museum’s Cooper exhibit has some serious eye candy for fans of this story, including two of the four parachute backpacks Cooper demanded, and what is believed to be some of the money found along the banks of the Columbia River.
Curator Gwen Whiting says the exhibit also explores how Cooper changed the airline industry.
“Airports became much more invested in security screenings, passenger profiling, and metal detectors. We think of them as common now, but in the 70s, that was a real debate about privacy and the rights of citizens.”
The FBI doubts Cooper survived his landing. Still, they welcome any new information or tips on his whereabouts.
The exhibit runs through Jan. 5, 2014.
