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Hawkins National Laboratory
General Info
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City | Hawkins |
---|---|
Area/Region | Indiana |
Country | USA |
Location Name | Hawkins National Laboratory |
Alternate Name | HNL |
Overview
One of their subjects, a girl named Eleven, possessed psychic abilities including, but not limited to, telekinesis, remote vision, and the ability to travel through dimensions. His extraordinary talents accidentally opened an interdimensional gateway to an alternate dimension called The Upside Down. This remote, ethereal realm reeked of darkness and decay and threatened to destroy the world as we know it.
The lab, though officially closed after these disastrous events, remains an iconic symbol of the unique power of Stranger Things, reflecting themes of government conspiracy, tragic human experimentation, and a chilling parallel universe. This is stunning proof that sometimes reality can be scarier than fantasy. Unseen, unexpected, and beneath the facade of normal Hawkins city life, danger lurked within the unsuspecting walls of Hawkins National Laboratory.
History
Founded in the 1940s, the laboratory initially focused on creating post-war technological breakthroughs. Few in the local community could have imagined the incredible journey this seemingly innocuous institution would take over the next few years.
In the 1950s, the purpose of the laboratory changed to more secret scientific experiments. This included mind control research involving psychedelics, and it was during this tumultuous period that the lab came under the jurisdiction of Dr. Martin Brenner, a man known for his obsession with the controversial MK-Ultra program. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the lab became famous for exploring parallel universes, which led to the discovery of the Upside Down. Scientists led by Brenner have unwittingly opened a portal to this dark and deadly dimension. This event led to the creation of menacing creatures such as the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer, bringing unprecedented chaos and danger to the city of Hawkins.
in 1983 After the mysterious disappearance of young Will Byers in November, the dark secrets of Hawkins National Laboratory began to unravel. A group of children, inspired by friendship and courage, discover the truth about the laboratory's illegal activities and expose them. Despite local police efforts to report abuses at the lab, it wasn't until the mid-1980s that the lab was officially closed for investigation. The building is now abandoned, an eerie reminder of its past and a symbol of the strange happenings often associated with the town of Hawkins, Indiana. Beneath his monstrosity lies a tightly woven narrative, making him an indispensable part of the strange things that continue to perplex the quiet and seemingly mundane town of Hawkins.
Background
The lab is famous for its secret Department of Energy-sanctioned experiments on humans, and its most notable victim is Eleven, a girl with supernatural abilities who was stolen from her mother at birth. Dangerous science experiments cover such strange and dangerous areas as mind control and interdimensional travel, dramatically shaping the history of Stranger Things. Unbeknownst to the townspeople, the lab is an unintended gateway to Feet Up, a creepy, parallel dimension inhabited by various alien life forms. The creation of this door, the result of unethical experiments at Eleven, sends shockwaves through the beautiful city, leading to the kidnappings and other gruesome supernatural events that form the core of the series.
Architecturally, Hawkins' laboratory is a gigantic fortress-like structure that exudes an aura of intrigue and intimidation. Surrounded by acres of dark forest and high security, the high and terrifying walls hide many secrets, providing an indelible sense of fear and mystery to visitors and onlookers.
Although the lab appears destroyed in the series, its darkly intriguing legacy continues to reverberate through Hawkins' many cataclysmic events, an effective reminder of the unchecked destructive potential of science when misused. Hawkins National Laboratory tells a story so fascinating, yet terrifying, that it draws viewers into a web of scientific intrigue and paranormal mystery.