Communications

WANN Microphone

Tools of communication have transformed American society time and again over the past two centuries. The Museum has preserved many instruments of these changes, from printing presses to personal digital assistants.

The collections include hundreds of artifacts from the printing trade and related fields, including papermaking equipment, wood and metal type collections, bookbinding tools, and typesetting machines. Benjamin Franklin is said to have used one of the printing presses in the collection in 1726.

More than 7,000 objects chart the evolution of electronic communications, including the original telegraph of Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell's early telephones. Radios, televisions, tape recorders, and the tools of the computer age are part of the collections, along with wireless phones and a satellite tracking system.

Date: 1910s

Futurist Picture of the Opening Game

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
maker
Day, Jr., Benjamin Henry
Daugherty, James Henry
ID Number
1980.0576.264
accession number
1980.0576
catalog number
1980.0576.264
80.0576.264

Futurist Picture of the Opening Game

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
maker
Daugherty, James Henry
ID Number
1980.0576.263
accession number
1980.0576
catalog number
1980.0576.263
80.0576.263

Electrotype of "Hu'petha"

This electrotype of “Hu’petha” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 28 (p.163) in an article by Alice C.
Description
This electrotype of “Hu’petha” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 28 (p.163) in an article by Alice C. Fletcher (1838-1923) and Francis La Flesche (1857-1932) entitled “The Omaha Tribe” in the Twenty-Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1905-1906.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Flecher, Alice C.
LaFlesche, Francis
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
ID Number
2000.0207.066
catalog number
2000.0207.066
accession number
2000.0207

Christmas greeting card

Christmas greeting card made from a hand painted celluloid sheet. It features a border and the message, "Wishing you A Joyful Christmas" in gold, and red, blue, and brown flowers.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Christmas greeting card made from a hand painted celluloid sheet. It features a border and the message, "Wishing you A Joyful Christmas" in gold, and red, blue, and brown flowers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
ID Number
2006.0098.0321
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0321

Electrotype of "Feathers"

This electrotype of “Feathers” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 81 (p.176) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J.
Description
This electrotype of “Feathers” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 81 (p.176) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J. Guernsey (1868-1936) entitled “Archeological Explorations in Northeastern Arizona” in Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 61, (1919).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Kidder, Alfred Vincent
Guernsey, Samuel J.
ID Number
2000.0207.122
catalog number
2000.0207.122
accession number
2000.0207

Electrotype of "Ruins in Northeastern Arizona"

This electrotype of ruins in Northeastern Arizona was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 14 (p.48) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J.
Description
This electrotype of ruins in Northeastern Arizona was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 14 (p.48) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J. Guernsey (1868-1936) entitled “Archeological Explorations in Northeastern Arizona” in Bureau of American Ethnology,Bulletin 61, (1919).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Kidder, Alfred Vincent
Guernsey, Samuel J.
ID Number
2000.0207.130
catalog number
2000.0207.130
accession number
2000.0207

Electrotype of "Incidents in the life of Jaw (drawing by himself)"

This electrotype of “Incidents in the life of Jaw (drawing by himself)” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 63 (p.392) in an article by David I. Bushnell, Jr.
Description
This electrotype of “Incidents in the life of Jaw (drawing by himself)” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 63 (p.392) in an article by David I. Bushnell, Jr. (1875-1941) entitled Frances Densmore (1867-1957) entitled “Teton Sioux Music” in Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 61, (1918).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Densmore, Frances
ID Number
2000.0207.104
catalog number
2000.0207.104
accession number
2000.0207

Electrotype of “Corn from basket maker caves"

This electrotype of “Corn from basket maker caves” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 65 (p.152) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J.
Description
This electrotype of “Corn from basket maker caves” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 65 (p.152) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J. Guernsey (1868-1936) entitled “Archeological Explorations in Northeastern Arizona” in Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 61, (1919).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Kidder, Alfred Vincent
Guernsey, Samuel J.
ID Number
2000.0207.124
catalog number
2000.0207.124
accession number
2000.0207

Table for Japanese block cutter

Table for Japanese block cutter used in exhibit in the Graphic Arts Hall. Made in USNM carpenter shop and installed in GA exhibition in 1919. Used with figure GA.10983 and positioned based on watercolor drawing supplied by M. Tokuno in 1889. See GA.03209.01.Currently not on view
Description
Table for Japanese block cutter used in exhibit in the Graphic Arts Hall. Made in USNM carpenter shop and installed in GA exhibition in 1919. Used with figure GA.10983 and positioned based on watercolor drawing supplied by M. Tokuno in 1889. See GA.03209.01.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
maker
Egberts, William H.
ID Number
GA.10984
accession number
63758
catalog number
10984

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "Late In Coming, But He Came".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, the Grim Reaper goes to the 4th Day of the Aviation Meet wearing a suit.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, the Grim Reaper goes to the 4th Day of the Aviation Meet wearing a suit. Written in black ink below drawing, "Late in Coming, But He Came."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
08/16/1911
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24203
catalog number
24203
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic page, entitled "Cartoons of the Day".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. This drawing consists of three panels.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. This drawing consists of three panels. Under panel 1: "The city received them with open umbrellas." Reilly's soldiers marching in the rain with people watching, holding umbrellas. Under 2: "The dream and the reality." Man holds "Peace Terms" on his shoulders while a knight stands on top of the world. Under 3: "Off on the 1st hop." Navy fliers 'bounce' around to different cities within the Western Hemisphere.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
circa 1918
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24204
catalog number
24204
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "The Comet Is Coming".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. This drawing showcases how newspapers' reports about an approaching comet changes how people live their lives that day. On reverse, in pencil: "Mr. Hammer, 314 Tribune Bldg." and "May 18-1910."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
05/18/1910
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24182
catalog number
24182
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic page, entitled "A Young Couple"

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this comics page, a bride and groom are married on an airplane's wings, jumping at the end of the ceremony towards "the future", marked literally on the ground below them.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
07/13/1911
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24186
catalog number
24186

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "The Sirens of the Sky".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, a blimp with three passengers and a cat is flying above a ship on the sea, which is wishing the blimp passengers luck. At bottom, written in ink, "If he succeeds, the world will call it a stupendous feat in the history of aeronautics. If he fails, they will call it a stupendous folly. We hope he succeeds." Dated "Oct 17-1910" on reverse and bottom left corner.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
10/17/1910
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24184
catalog number
24184

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "The Lorelei, or The Sirens of the Sky".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, the Grim Reaper shows a pilot the "sirens" of the sky, holding money, fame, glory, etc.--if the pilot can make the flight, he will attain them, otherwise there will be certain death. On reverse, written in pencil, "Mr. Hammer, 314 Tribune Building" and "Wood to Murphy". Also has the date Jan 2-1911 written on back.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
01/02/1911
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24185
catalog number
24185
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "The Aeroplane in Politics".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, a plane drops flyers randomly, telling people to "Vote for Jiggity."Currently not on view
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, a plane drops flyers randomly, telling people to "Vote for Jiggity."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
03/14/1912
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24202
catalog number
24202
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "The Only Casualty at the Big Motor Race".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, various racecar drivers are breaking world records, harming only Father Time.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, various racecar drivers are breaking world records, harming only Father Time. On bottom in black ink, text relating to the records broken by each of the drivers in each panel. On reverse in pencil, "Mr. Stephens--314 Tribune Bldg."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
01/28/1915
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24188
catalog number
24188
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic page, entitled "Extract from the Novel of the Future".

John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. In this drawing, a man tricks a boy into drugging a fearless pilot who is about to fly his plane in front of a grandstand of admirers. On reverse, a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 paper with three chapters typewritten from "Extract from the Novel of the Future," describing what is going on in the comic. Dated "Oct 4-1910" with "Mr. Hammer, 314 Tribune Bldg." written in pencil on the back.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
10/04/1910
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24183
catalog number
24183
accession number
1976.320859

Camera-ready comic art drawing entitled "Don'ts for Aviators".

This pen and ink comic art panel drawing shows a cemetery with headstones outlining various dangers to aviators, such as drinking before flying.John McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a popular political cartoon artist who got his start at the Chicago Record in 1889.
Description (Brief)
This pen and ink comic art panel drawing shows a cemetery with headstones outlining various dangers to aviators, such as drinking before flying.
John McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a popular political cartoon artist who got his start at the Chicago Record in 1889. In 1903 he moved on to the Chicago Tribune, where he worked until he retired in 1946. McCutcheon mostly used the single-panel format, but occasionally used strips for more involved messages, but always a self-contained story. McCutcheon prepared editorial cartoons for his entire career, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1932.
Description
John T. McCutcheon (1870-1949) was a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, known for his political cartoons and fascination with technology, particularly aviation. This comic page shows a cemetary with headstones of various warnings and dangers to aviators, such as drinking before flying, performing tricks, etc. Two men in the background are digging a grave for an aviator "getting gay in an untried machine." At bottom in pencil, "Some pleasant advice for Friday the 13th." On reverse in pencil, sketch of a man walking in front of a large crowd in an auditorium.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
07/13/1911
09/13/1911
09/13/1912
original artist
McCutcheon, John T.
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
ID Number
GA.24187
catalog number
24187
accession number
1976.320859

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