The Gizmonic Institute is a fictional scientific institute from the TV program Mystery Science Theater 3000 (often abbreviated MST3K). It was prominently featured as the former workplace of Joel Robinson, the show's protagonist, who apparently was employed as a janitor. A basement of the Institute was used as the hideout of Dr. Clayton Forrester and Dr. Laurence Erhardt during the series run on KTMA. Deep 13, a later hideout of the scientists, is also a sub-basement of the Institute.

[edit] Exterior

A shot of the Gizmonic Institute model.

The exterior of the building is very large, and was displayed during commercial bumpers frequently in seasons 1 through 4. There are two main buildings: one is a tall, business-style tower, while the other is made to resemble a large gear with the letter G carved into it from a bird's-eye view (the G-gear is the Gizmonic logo). The words "Gizmonic Institute" are built on the side of a nearby mountain (reminiscent of the Hollywood sign), and in front of the building is a large billboard with the MST3K logo displayed on it. There is also a small drive-thru in front of the parking lot (apparently home of the "Big G Burger") and a rocket launch pad off to the side (in the theme song during the Joel era, the Satellite of Love can clearly be seen being launched from it).

[edit] Invention exchanges

Invention exchanges were exchanges that took place at the beginning of every episode on MST3K until Hodgson left the show, and continued for a few episodes after that. The basis was that Dr. Forrester and Joel would each share something they invented (although, more often than not, Dr. Forrester would steal an idea of Joel's). The reason given for this was that both Forrester and Joel had worked at Gizmonic, where it is common to show off your latest invention to a colleague as a form of greeting. The exchanges stopped soon after Michael J. Nelson came on as the new host (playing a character of the same name); the reason given within the show's context was that Nelson had never worked at Gizmonic and, as such, knew nothing of its corporate structure.^[1]

[edit] Origin of the word "Gizmonic"

The word "Gizmonic" comes from the stand-up comedy routine of Joel Hodgson, who played Robinson on the program. Being a prop comic for the latter half of his pre-MST3K career, several of the inventions displayed in his act were referred to as "Gizmonic inventions." Similarly, he claimed his gadgets were created in the Mystery Science laboratory.

As such, all references to Gizmonic were removed at the end of Hodgson's tenure as host in mid season 5 at his request.^[2] Changes were made to sets and props to remove the references; such changes include the changing of the Mads' patches on their uniforms from the "Gizmonics" w/ G logo patch to a new stylized "Deep 13" logo patch. On the set of the Satellite of Love, the big Gizmonic "G" pinion gear logo on the bridge doors was altered to look like an actual full gear wheel and bolt for the remainder of the Comedy Central era Mike episodes.

[edit] Other Appearances

In the game, NetHack, one of the fortune cookie messages reads: "Want to ascend in a hurry? Apply at Gizmonic Institute."

[edit] References

1. ^ "MST3K FAQ--Historical Subtleties--The "invention exchange" that used to start each show stopped in season five. Why?." Satellite News. 13 November 2007 <http://www.mst3kinfo.com/mstfaq/ccsubtle.html>.
2. ^ "MST3K FAQ --Historical Subtleties--I noticed that Gizmonic Institute was no longer mentioned after Mike became the host. Why?." Satellite News. 13 November 2007 <http://www.mst3kinfo.com/mstfaq/ccsubtle.html>.