Engineering, Building, and Architecture

Not many museums collect houses. The National Museum of American History has four, as well as two outbuildings, 11 rooms, an elevator, many building components, and some architectural elements from the White House. Drafting manuals are supplemented by many prints of buildings and other architectural subjects. The breadth of the museum's collections adds some surprising objects to these holdings, such as fans, purses, handkerchiefs, T-shirts, and other objects bearing images of buildings.

The engineering artifacts document the history of civil and mechanical engineering in the United States. So far, the Museum has declined to collect dams, skyscrapers, and bridges, but these and other important engineering achievements are preserved through blueprints, drawings, models, photographs, sketches, paintings, technical reports, and field notes.

This toy lathe was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The lathe is made of a cast metal base that is painted red.
Description (Brief)
This toy lathe was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The lathe is made of a cast metal base that is painted red. The pulley is used to spin the spindle part of the lathe, and the tool rest is able to slide to change the bed length. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329080
catalog number
329080
accession number
278175
This Märklin No. 5 toy steam engine was built by the Märklin Manufacturing Company of Göppingen, Germany during the early 20th century. This toy steam engine consists of an externally fired horizontal brass boiler on top of a simulated brick firebox and chimney.
Description (Brief)
This Märklin No. 5 toy steam engine was built by the Märklin Manufacturing Company of Göppingen, Germany during the early 20th century. This toy steam engine consists of an externally fired horizontal brass boiler on top of a simulated brick firebox and chimney. The horizontal slide valve cylinder engine drives a flywheel with slip-eccentric reversing gear. The boiler and engine are mounted on a tinplate base.
The Märklin Company was established in 1859 in the town of Göppingen, Germany by tin smith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin. Märklin began his business with the production of tin doll houses, but the company soon began producing a variety of tinplate and metal items, eventually specializing in toys that included steam engines such as this one.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.322911
catalog number
322911
accession number
220719
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.162
catalog number
336767.162
accession number
1978.2219
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.161
catalog number
336767.161
accession number
1978.2219
This toy circular saw was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The circular saw is in a cast metal base painted red and could spin when its shaft was attached to an engine. H.
Description (Brief)
This toy circular saw was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The circular saw is in a cast metal base painted red and could spin when its shaft was attached to an engine. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329079
catalog number
329079
accession number
278175
This toy power hacksaw was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1950. The toy hacksaw has a tin base and clamp with a saw shafted to a flywheel.
Description (Brief)
This toy power hacksaw was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1950. The toy hacksaw has a tin base and clamp with a saw shafted to a flywheel. The hacksaw toy could be connected to the drive wheel of a toy steam engine for power and operate just like its full size counterpart.
The Märklin Company was established in 1859 in the town of Göppingen, Germany by tin smith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin. Märklin began his business with the production of tin doll houses, but the company soon began producing a variety of tinplate and metal items, eventually specializing in toys such as this one.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329069
catalog number
329069
accession number
278175
This toy grinder was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The grinder consists of two grindstones on a central shaft with a pulley in the center that spins both stones. H.
Description (Brief)
This toy grinder was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The grinder consists of two grindstones on a central shaft with a pulley in the center that spins both stones. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329081
catalog number
329081
accession number
278175
This toy punch press was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The press has a base made of cast metal painted red, with a flywheel that drives the press up and down. H.
Description (Brief)
This toy punch press was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The press has a base made of cast metal painted red, with a flywheel that drives the press up and down. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329078
catalog number
329078
accession number
278175
This toy grinder was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This toy grinder was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The grinder consists of a cast metal base painted red, with a grindstone in the center that has a shaft and pulley wheel that allows the grindstone to be attached to a power source and spun. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329083
catalog number
329083
accession number
278175
This toy grinder was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This toy grinder was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The grinder consists of a cast metal base painted red, with a grindstone in the center that has a shaft and pulley wheel that allows the grindstone to be attached to a power source and spun. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329082
catalog number
329082
accession number
278175
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.157
catalog number
336767.157
accession number
1978.2219
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.155
catalog number
336767.155
accession number
1978.2219
This toy tumbler was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The tumbler is octagonal shaped with an opening latch and pulley to allow it to be connected to a power source. H.
Description (Brief)
This toy tumbler was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The tumbler is octagonal shaped with an opening latch and pulley to allow it to be connected to a power source. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329074
catalog number
329074
accession number
278175
This toy drill press was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The toy is made of cast metal painted red but is missing the ribbed steel band that runs from the lower pulley to the upper pulley to spin the drill. H.
Description (Brief)
This toy drill press was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The toy is made of cast metal painted red but is missing the ribbed steel band that runs from the lower pulley to the upper pulley to spin the drill. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329076
catalog number
329076
accession number
278175
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.163
catalog number
336767.163
accession number
1978.2219
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.156
catalog number
336767.156
accession number
1978.2219
This toy trip-hammer was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The trip-hammer is on a red metal base with flywheel. H.
Description (Brief)
This toy trip-hammer was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The trip-hammer is on a red metal base with flywheel. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329075
catalog number
329075
accession number
278175
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1690
reconditioned
1955
ID Number
MC.244888
catalog number
244888
accession number
46812
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.160
catalog number
336767.160
accession number
1978.2219
This toy shaper was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The shaper is made of cast metal, painted red, with a sliding ram driven by the flywheel. H.
Description (Brief)
This toy shaper was manufactured by the Danish company H. Langes Legetoy around the middle of the 20th century. The shaper is made of cast metal, painted red, with a sliding ram driven by the flywheel. H. Langes Legetoy produced a variety of toy machine tools including a trip-hammer, grindstone, drill press, shaper, punch press, circular saw, tumbler, lathe, and grinder. These tools would often be arranged on a single board with a line shaft allowing all the machines to be operated simultaneously from a single power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
MC.329077
catalog number
329077
accession number
278175
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.158
catalog number
336767.158
accession number
1978.2219
The Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota manufactured this Honeywell Comfort TM850 Chronotherm thermostat during the 1950s. The Honeywell Chronotherm brand has been manufactured in different models since 1935.
Description
The Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota manufactured this Honeywell Comfort TM850 Chronotherm thermostat during the 1950s. The Honeywell Chronotherm brand has been manufactured in different models since 1935. While conventional thermostats allowed for different settings during the day and night, most had to be manually changed by hand. The Chronotherm automatically changed those settings so that the temperature could be lowered at night and then turned up each morning. The TM850 Chronotherm featured a Telechron clock and sold for $34.90 in 1950.
The ubiquity of thermostats in 21st century homes shrouds the decades of innovation, industrial design, and engineering that went into making them an everyday object in almost every home. In the early 20th century, a majority of American households still heated their homes with manually operated furnaces that required a trip down to the basement and stoking the coal fired furnace. Albert Butz’s “damper-flapper” system was patented in 1886 and allowed home owner to set the thermostat to a certain temperature which would open a damper to the furnace, increasing the fire and heating the house. Progressive innovations allowed for the thermostats to use gas lines, incorporate electricity, turn on at a set time, include heating and cooling in one mechanism, and even connect to the internet.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Honeywell Inc.
ID Number
2008.0011.08
accession number
2008.0011
catalog number
2008.0011.08
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.159
catalog number
336767.159
accession number
1978.2219
These ten painted aluminum panels comprised a wall mural aboard the ocean liner SS United States. Called “The Currents,” the mural depicts the Atlantic Ocean with the direction of the ocean’s currents rendered in stylized, dimensional arrows.
Description
These ten painted aluminum panels comprised a wall mural aboard the ocean liner SS United States. Called “The Currents,” the mural depicts the Atlantic Ocean with the direction of the ocean’s currents rendered in stylized, dimensional arrows. The continents are applied to the panels in gold leaf, while the ocean is painted in various shades of blue and green. Aboard the ship this mural was located on the starboard side of the first class observation lounge. “The Currents” and a companion mural called “The Winds” were painted by artist Raymond John Wendell.
Designed by naval architect William Francis Gibbs, the SS United States was created out of an unusually close connection to the federal government. During the Second World War, the U.S. Navy recognized that converted ocean liners were effective transports for conveying troops to far-flung war zones. After the war ended, the government pursued the building of a technologically advanced passenger vessel that could be converted to carry troops in the event of another global conflict. With significant federal funding and support, the SS United States was built and launched in 1952. Although it was never converted for wartime use, many of its design details remained classified into the 1970s.
One of the most unusual features of the ship was the tremendous amount of aluminum and the lack of wood Gibbs specified for its construction. Determined to build a ship that was not only fast, but ultra-safe, Gibbs was especially concerned with fire prevention after several wartime catastrophes. One that haunted him was the story of the luxury liner RMS Empress of Britain that was attacked by a German bomber while transporting hundreds of soldiers on October 26, 1940. Sixty-four troops were killed in the resulting blaze, which was fueled by the ship’s lavish wood carvings, staircases, and paneled rooms.
Two thousand tons of aluminum were used in the construction and outfitting of the SS United States, making the ship lighter and more fire-resistant than any vessel afloat. The furniture and artwork, including these panels, were all made of aluminum. Publicists for the ship claimed that the only wood on board was to be found in the galley’s chopping blocks and in the piano. Gibbs even tried to reduce this miniscule amount of wood, but Steinway & Sons allegedly refused to build an aluminum piano. To this day, the SS United States is considered the fastest and one of the safest ships ever put to sea.
date made
1952
SS United States built and launched
1952
naval architect of SS United States
Gibbs, William Francis
painter
Wendell, Raymond John
ID Number
TR.336767.154
catalog number
336767.154
accession number
1978.2219

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