The research begins with a recording of the main definitions and types of museums, as they have prevailed up to nowadays, and carries on with a brief review of the history of museums since the time of their appearance and the creation of the first museum collections. The emergence of the term ‘museum’, its progressive differentiation over the periods of time and the terminal form of its institution is being discussed.
In succession, the survey is divided into two sections. The first section refers to the basic functionalities in relation to the information and memory (aim), the public (recipient) and the museum piece (medium). The second section relates to the information and picture communicating ease of today and its influence on the modern visitor.
Following a comparison amongst the interest, which the museum presented in the past and nowadays, arguments have emerged according to the transformations it has undergone. Today, the substantial offer of the museum has been diminished as it occurs to get equaled with the storehouse. However, over the passing of time, their extent has increased as the number of museums has risen and the above mentioned transformations are taking place with an accelerating rhythm.
Under the contradictions, which are arising between the fundamental principles and purposes of the museum and its current functions, a number of proposals towards new methods of museum operating are being introduced. By applying modern media, the museum space can be decreased and afterwards, new museum-related theories might be developed, which will be adjusted to the new reality.