Since its debut in the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers in 1950, “Peanuts,” written and illustrated by Charles Schulz, has become one of the most beloved and recognizable comic strips in history. Over time, “Peanuts” characters have come to life through animated TV specials and theater productions. Now, nearly 70 years later, a new generation of Chicagoans can experience Charlie Brown and the gang in an exhibit that chronicles Schulz’s life.

“Charlie Brown and the Great Exhibit” opened Oct. 25 at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, and it arrived at just the right time, said Jeff Buonomo, manager of temporary exhibitions and events.

Buonomo said the museum had been considering opening a Schulz exhibit for years and decided that October would be the best time to begin displaying the “Peanuts” holiday themes. In previous years, the museum hosted exhibits focused on Jim Henson’s “The Muppets” and Dr. Seuss.

Buonomo said some have questioned why a comic strip would be featured at a science museum, but he explained that both science and art are rooted in creativity, and the museum’s mission is to inspire the genius in everyone and encourage people to think differently.

“We like to incorporate a lot of hands-on elements for kids and families so they can actually participate in the exhibition,” Buonomo said. “It’s not a passive experience. That’s one of the things the museum is known for: that tangible experience. The stars aligned, and the opportunity was right to pursue [it].”

The exhibit leads viewers through Schulz’s life and work from the 1920s to the present. It features a replica of his office at 1 Snoopy Place in Santa Rosa, Calif., and a wall of 10 “Peanuts” comic strips leads to a room with character biographies that chart their evolution. The exhibit ends with individual displays of the “Peanuts” holiday specials, with an emphasis on “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which won an Emmy in 1966.

The museum partnered with the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa for the exhibit. Jane O’Cain, gallery director for the Schulz Museum, said the operation went smoothly because the museum caters to both traveling and custom traveling exhibits.

In the spirit of Schulz’s creativity, the MSI created educational and interactive elements for the exhibit, such as a functional recreation of “Peanuts” character Schroeder’s piano and a giant touchscreen that acts as a virtual “Peanuts” coloring book, O’Cain said.

She said Schulz’s work directly influences art because it is relatable to everybody and is widely known. “Peanuts” was printed in more than 2,000 newspapers during the ’90s.

“[‘Peanuts’] is significant because it can be understood in cultures around the world,” O’Cain said. “I like to think about how people find a way to relate to it. There’s such a wonderful mixture of sweetness, but there’s also a little bit of that acerbic humor, too.”

Josh Kramer, editor of CartoonPicayune.com, said Schulz’s work is appealing because it is fun and abstract in nature, and his characters are flawed and relatable.

“If anyone ever liked my work as much as people loved ‘Peanuts,’ that would be the ultimate compliment,” he said. “There’s definitely something to be said and treasured about [it] that [it] touched people so dearly in such a tight format.”

Kramer said comic strips will find a way to live on, even if newspapers become obsolete. The comic has remained popular because it is

multi-generational, Buonomo said.

“A lot of it, funny enough, sparks from it being handed down from generation to generation,” Buonomo said. “[People who are] parents now, it was a tradition for them as a kid and now they want to share it with their children.”

O’Cain said Schulz’s work directly influences art because it is accessible to everybody and widely known. “Peanuts” was printed in more than 2,000 newspapers.

“[‘Peanuts’] is significant because it can be understood in cultures around the world,” she said. “I like to think about how people find a way to relate to it. There’s such a wonderful mixture of sweetness, but there’s also a little bit of that acerbic humor too.”

Josh Kramer, editor of CartoonPicayune.com, said Schulz’s work is appealing because it is fun and abstract in nature, and his characters are flawed and relatable.

“If anyone ever liked my work as much as people loved ‘Peanuts,’ that would be the ultimate compliment,” he said. “There’s definitely something to be said and treasured about [it] that [it] touched people so dearly in such a tight format.”

Kramer said comic strips will find a way to live on if newspapers become obsolete. “Peanuts” has remained popular because it is multigenerational, Buonomo said.

“A lot of it, funny enough, sparks from it being handed down from generation to generation,” Buonomo said. “[People who are] parents now, it was a tradition for them as a kid and now they want to share it with their children.”