Shaping a Story Worthy of Discovery

For Exhibition Developer Jeanette Collins, the goal was never just to tell the story of the Titanic’s discovery, but to bring people into the mission itself.

“While this exhibition is primarily focused on historical events, it weaves together STEAM topics through objects, immersive media, and interactives,” she explains. “We wanted people to feel the same tension and excitement Dr. Ballard and his team experienced in real time.”

This approach reflects the Flying Fish ethos: history told not at arm’s length, but through layered, multisensory storytelling. Every object was selected with intention — from Titanic-related pieces to the tools of deep-sea exploration — each revealing not just what was found, but how and why. Jeanette points to the Map of the Titanic’s Debris Field as a favorite. At first glance, it’s a jumble of lines and scribbles, but in truth, it embodies Ballard’s genius for visualization and the very strategy that led to the wreck.

Exhibition Developer Spotlight:
Jeanette Collins

Jeanette Collins helped shape the story from the ground up. With a background in history and three-dimensional design, she embodies our mission to combine scholarship with creativity. “I visited the Titanic Belfast Museum with Bob, and it was a critical experience in shaping the exhibition,” she recalls. “His enthusiasm was palpable—I could see what resonated with him and how we could bring those same emotions into [Finding Titanic].”

For Jeanette, exhibitions are not static displays but invitations. “I’ve always loved history and design, and developing exhibitions allows me to do both. It’s a privilege to create experiences that inspire lifelong learners and future explorers.”

Adding Layers of Research

Director of Exhibitions Liz Frerichs remembers those early phases as immersive and energizing. “Story time with Bob was my favorite,” she says. “These were firsthand experiences you cannot get from anyone else. They shaped the narrative completely—and Bob, as we came to know him, is incredibly engaging and charismatic.”

Our ethos is built on collaboration — drawing out voices, expertise, and perspectives to enrich the storytelling. Liz recalls how Ballard’s stories about secrecy and perseverance shaped the exhibition. “I don’t think most people know the search for the Titanic wreck was actually a cover story,” she notes. “The discovery might not have happened—at least not then—if Bob had run out of time after completing his Navy mission.”

For Liz, one memory distilled Ballard’s determination. In a meeting at Ocean Exploration Trust’s offices in Connecticut, he used a soda can to demonstrate how he overcomes obstacles, nudging it a little further with each “no” until he finally reached “yes.” It was a small gesture, but it reflected the same persistence we bring to creative challenges: find another path, keep moving forward, and never lose sight of the goal.

Dr. Ballard’s Perspective

Ballard’s voice is woven throughout the exhibition. For him, this isn’t about retelling a familiar story but offering a fresh chapter. “I hope they walk away saying—I thought I knew all there was to know about the Titanic, and yet here is yet another chapter to its history.”

That perspective shaped the narrative approach. Rather than casting visitors as bystanders, the design places them within the mission. “It puts you in my shoes,” Ballard says. “You are not a spectator—you are a player—you are there when it all happens.” And he hopes the exhibition inspires those who’ve been underestimated. “I’m also hoping to inspire dyslexic kids who have been told they can’t accomplish things.”

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

We design exhibitions to honor history while looking forward — creating moments that connect generations. That motivation is apparent in Finding Titanic. For Jeanette, the heart of the exhibition is perseverance. “Bob’s story is not just about discovering the Titanic—it’s about the perseverance it took to get there.”

Ballard echoes that belief: “I believe the deep sea is the largest museum on earth. There are more chapters of human history waiting to be discovered.” For Flying Fish, that is the point: to transform historic moments into dynamic, immersive experiences that deepen understanding and invite audiences everywhere to imagine what comes next.

Jay Brown, Principal & Managing Director, puts it simply: “This exhibition is about more than the Titanic. It’s about human determination, respect for history, and the thrill of discovery. Forty years later, the story still challenges us to keep exploring.”

Why the 40th Anniversary Matters

Anniversaries are about reflection and renewal. Forty years after the Titanic was found, Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission celebrates the ingenuity and perseverance that made the discovery possible — while reminding us that exploration never ends. As we see it, exhibitions like this are not just about what happened but about what happens next: igniting curiosity, honoring resilience, and empowering future generations to keep exploring.

Or as Ballard himself says: “That first moment of discovery—it’s like sinking the winning shot at the buzzer.”

Flying Fish is proud to bring that moment — and that spirit of discovery — to audiences worldwide, forty years on.

Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission premieres September 26, 2025, at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. For more information on how to bring this incredible experience to your audience, email us at [email protected].

Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish in collaboration with Ocean Exploration Trust and generously sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

By Anna Clark, Head of Marketing, Flying Fish
Photo courtesy of the National Geographic Society Special Collections