Engineering, Building, and Architecture

Engine Room From Coast Guard Buoy Tender Oak

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.

Topic: Engineering Steam Toys and Models

Model Engine

This metal steam engine model was made by Greville Bathe in 1913. The horizontal table engine has a vertical cylinder and flywheel.
Description (Brief)
This metal steam engine model was made by Greville Bathe in 1913. The horizontal table engine has a vertical cylinder and flywheel. The donor of this item, Greville Bathe, was a machinist and engine hobbyist who would fashion his own parts to create model engines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913
ID Number
MC.329024
catalog number
329024
accession number
278175

Weeden No. 106 Toy Electric Motor

The Weeden no. 102 electric generator was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1913 until 1918. This was an earlier version of the model No. 102, as evidenced by the wooden base plate attached to the cast iron base.
Description (Brief)
The Weeden no. 102 electric generator was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1913 until 1918. This was an earlier version of the model No. 102, as evidenced by the wooden base plate attached to the cast iron base. It is an electromagnetic generator, producing a direct electric current through the rotation of a wire coil in a magnetic field. The generator could be connected to the flywheel of a Weeden steam engine, rotating the center coil, turning mechanical power into electricity.
The Weeden Manufacturing Company was founded in New Bedford, Massachusetts by William M. Weeden in the early 1880s, originally producing a variety of tinplate household items. In 1884 it introduced the Weeden No. 1 Steam engine as “a new and great premium for boys” who were subscribers to the Youth’s Companion magazine. Weeden made over a hundred different models of toy steam engines until the company ceased operations in 1952.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
MC.322914
catalog number
322914
accession number
220719

German Toy Steam Engine

The Bing Company of Bavaria, Germany manufactured this toy steam engine during the early 20th century. The horizontal boiler has a steam whistle and sight glass above a black firebox with a simulated brickwork chimney.
Description (Brief)
The Bing Company of Bavaria, Germany manufactured this toy steam engine during the early 20th century. The horizontal boiler has a steam whistle and sight glass above a black firebox with a simulated brickwork chimney. The boiler powers an orange horizontal slide valve engine and flywheel. Everything is mounted on a tin base that measures 9.25 by 9.5 inches.
The Gebrüder Bing (Bing Brothers) toy company was founded in Nuremburg, Germany by Adolf and Ignatz Bing in 1863 and operated until 1932. The company was renamed Bing Werke (Bing Works) in 1918 when Ignatz Bing died. While very successful from 1863 until 1912, World War I created an unfavorable export market for German products, and the hard post-war years caused additional financial hardships. The harsh political climate in Germany forced the Jewish Bing family to flee to England in 1932, and Bing’s assets were acquired by rival toy company Bub in 1933.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
20th century
ID Number
MC.328991
catalog number
328991
accession number
278175

Toy Steam Engine

This toy steam engine was manufactured by an unknown maker during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This toy steam engine was manufactured by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. The horizontal boiler powers a horizontal, reversible slide valve engine with flywheel, all mounted onto a metal topped wooden block.
Live steam toys enjoyed a period of popularity from the 1880s until the 1930s. The miniature steam engines were marketed as both toys and instructive devices that mimicked full-scale steam-powered machines and allowed every boy and girl to be their own engineer. In toy steam engines, a heating source is introduced into the firebox below the boiler (early toys used lit wicks fueled by denatured alcohol, later toys used electricity) which heated the water to produce the steam pressure that ran the engine. A variety of accessories could be powered by the engine; attachments included windmills, pumps, grinders, and electric lights.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
ID Number
MC.329015
catalog number
329015
accession number
278175

Langes Legetoy Toy Grinder

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

Weeden "Eureka" Toy Steam Engine

The Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts produced this Weeden No. 32 toy steam engine during the late 19th century until around 1927.
Description (Brief)
The Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts produced this Weeden No. 32 toy steam engine during the late 19th century until around 1927. The engine was known as the “Eureka” model, and consisted of a steel jacketed brass boiler with two star cutouts and an overtype horizontal slide valve engine and flywheel. The metal end of the boiler reads “WEEDEN/TRADE MARK/ REG. U.S. PAT. OFF./32/THE WEEDEN/EUREKA.”
The Weeden Manufacturing Company was founded in New Bedford, Massachusetts by William M. Weeden in the early 1880s, originally producing a variety of tinplate household items. In 1884 it introduced the Weeden No. 1 Steam engine as “a new and great premium for boys” who were subscribers to the Youth’s Companion magazine. Weeden made over a hundred different models of toy steam engines until the company ceased operations in 1952.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
ID Number
MC.328966
catalog number
328966
accession number
278175

Bing Toy Traction Engine

This toy steam traction engine was manufactured by Bing Works of Nuremberg, Germany around 1918-1932.
Description (Brief)
This toy steam traction engine was manufactured by Bing Works of Nuremberg, Germany around 1918-1932. The traction engine consists of a firebox below a boiler with a horizontal slide valve engine attached to a flywheel that drives the tractor’s rear wheel.
The Gebrüder Bing (Bing Brothers) toy company was founded in Nuremburg, Germany by Adolf and Ignatz Bing in 1863 and operated until 1932. The company was renamed Bing Werke (Bing Works) in 1918 when Ignatz Bing died. While very successful from 1863 until 1912, World War I created an unfavorable export market for German products, and the hard post-war years created additional financial hardships. The harsh political climate in Germany forced the Jewish Bing family to flee to England in 1932, and Bing’s assets were acquired by rival toy company Bub in 1933.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MC.335707
catalog number
335707
accession number
1977.0920

Wilesco Toy Drill Press

This drill press was manufactured by Wilhelm Schröder GmbH & Company (Wilesco) of Lüdenscheid, Germany during the 20th century. The drill press is a Wilesco model M51.
Description (Brief)
This drill press was manufactured by Wilhelm Schröder GmbH & Company (Wilesco) of Lüdenscheid, Germany during the 20th century. The drill press is a Wilesco model M51. The press could be connected to the drive wheel of a toy steam engine for power and operate just like its full size counterpart.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
ID Number
MC.329063
catalog number
329063
accession number
278175

Märklin Toy Steam Engine

This toy steam engine was made by the Märklin Company during the early 20th century. This toy steam engine consists of a firebox, horizontal brass boiler, chimney stack, and horizontal engine with flyball governor that powers a flywheel.
Description (Brief)
This toy steam engine was made by the Märklin Company during the early 20th century. This toy steam engine consists of a firebox, horizontal brass boiler, chimney stack, and horizontal engine with flyball governor that powers a flywheel. The boiler and engine are mounted on a tin 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
mid 20th century
ID Number
MC.329031
catalog number
329031
accession number
278175

Doll Toy Steam Engine

This toy steam engine was manufactured by the Doll Company of Nuremberg, Germany during the early 20th century. The toy steam engine is model number 354. The vertical engine is mounted on an iron base, with vertical firebox, boiler, and chimney.
Description (Brief)
This toy steam engine was manufactured by the Doll Company of Nuremberg, Germany during the early 20th century. The toy steam engine is model number 354. The vertical engine is mounted on an iron base, with vertical firebox, boiler, and chimney. The vertical engine is shafted to a flywheel.
Live steam toys enjoyed a period of popularity from the 1880s until the 1930s. The miniature steam engines were marketed as both toys and instructive devices that mimicked full-scale steam-powered machines and allowed every boy and girl to be their own engineer. In toy steam engines, a heating source is introduced into the firebox below the boiler (early toys used lit wicks fueled by denatured alcohol, later toys used electricity) which heated the water to produce the steam pressure that ran the engine. A variety of accessories could be powered by the engine; attachments included windmills, pumps, grinders, and electric lights.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
ID Number
MC.328937
catalog number
328937
accession number
278175

Fleischmann Toy Grindstone

This toy grindstone and figure was produced by Fleischmann during the 1960s. The grindstone has a pulley that could be connected to a steam engine’s flywheel to provide power to the grindstone.
Description (Brief)
This toy grindstone and figure was produced by Fleischmann during the 1960s. The grindstone has a pulley that could be connected to a steam engine’s flywheel to provide power to the grindstone. The man is connected to the grindstone in such a way that it seems as if he is turning the wheel while it is powered by an engine.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MC.329068
catalog number
329068
accession number
278175

Toy Steam Engine

This toy steam engine was manufactured by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. The engine has a reversible slide valve and flywheel, with a horizontal brass boiler.Live steam toys enjoyed a period of popularity from the 1880s until the 1930s.
Description (Brief)
This toy steam engine was manufactured by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. The engine has a reversible slide valve and flywheel, with a horizontal brass boiler.
Live steam toys enjoyed a period of popularity from the 1880s until the 1930s. The miniature steam engines were marketed as both toys and instructive devices that mimicked full-scale steam-powered machines and allowed every boy and girl to be their own engineer. In toy steam engines, a heating source is introduced into the firebox below the boiler (early toys used lit wicks fueled by denatured alcohol, later toys used electricity) which heated the water to produce the steam pressure that ran the engine. A variety of accessories could be powered by the engine; attachments included windmills, pumps, grinders, and electric lights.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
ID Number
MC.329014
catalog number
329014
accession number
278175

Langes Legetoy Toy Punch Press

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

Weeden Toy Steam Engine

This Weeden toy steam engine was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from the late 19th to early 20th century. The engine is possibly model number 18. The engine consists of a vertical brass boiler and horizontal slide valve engine.
Description (Brief)
This Weeden toy steam engine was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from the late 19th to early 20th century. The engine is possibly model number 18. The engine consists of a vertical brass boiler and horizontal slide valve engine. The engine is mounted on a green metal stand, which is attached to a brown tin base that measures 7.5 inches by 10.5 inches.
The Weeden Manufacturing Company was founded in New Bedford, Massachusetts by William M. Weeden in the early 1880s, originally producing a variety of tinplate household items. In 1884 it introduced the Weeden No. 1 Steam engine as “a new and great premium for boys” who were subscribers to the Youth’s Companion magazine. Weeden made over a hundred different models of toy steam engines until the company ceased operations in 1952.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
ID Number
MC.328962
catalog number
328962
accession number
278175

German Toy Steam Engine

This toy steam engine was made by an unknown German manufacturer during the early 20th century. The horizontal steam boiler powers a flywheel which is connected to a dynamo that can power the attached bulb.
Description (Brief)
This toy steam engine was made by an unknown German manufacturer during the early 20th century. The horizontal steam boiler powers a flywheel which is connected to a dynamo that can power the attached bulb. The boiler, flywheel, dynamo, and light bulb are all attached to the wooden base.
Live steam toys enjoyed a period of popularity from the 1880s until the 1930s. The miniature steam engines were marketed as both toys and instructive devices that mimicked full-scale steam-powered machines and allowed every boy and girl to be their own engineer. In toy steam engines, a heating source is introduced into the firebox below the boiler (early toys used lit wicks fueled by denatured alcohol, later toys used electricity) which heated the water to produce the steam pressure that ran the engine. A variety of accessories could be powered by the engine; attachments included windmills, pumps, grinders, and electric lights.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
ID Number
ER.328990
accession number
278175
catalog number
328990

Toy Steam Engine and Windmill

This steam engine toy was manufactured by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. The toy consists of a horizontal boiler that powers an engine and flywheel.
Description (Brief)
This steam engine toy was manufactured by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. The toy consists of a horizontal boiler that powers an engine and flywheel. A string attaches the toy windmill to the drive shaft of the engine that allowed the windmill’s blades to turn.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MC.329061
catalog number
329061
accession number
278175

Empire B-30 Toy Steam Engine

The Metal Ware Corporation of Two Rivers, Wisconsin produced the B-30 model toy steam engine during the first half of the 20th century, beginning in the 1920s. This toy steam engine’s boiler was electrically heated, with the heating element inside the red cast iron base.
Description (Brief)
The Metal Ware Corporation of Two Rivers, Wisconsin produced the B-30 model toy steam engine during the first half of the 20th century, beginning in the 1920s. This toy steam engine’s boiler was electrically heated, with the heating element inside the red cast iron base. The nickel plated copper boiler has a sight glass on the left, a safety valve inside the chimney stack, a steam whistle, and throttle for the horizontal slide valve engine that powered the flywheel and driving pulley. Advertising shows this engine powering accessories like a lathe and water pump, and touts the toy as “the finest a boy ever had for mechanical instruction and fun.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
ID Number
MC.328988
catalog number
328988
accession number
278175

Bathe Toy Gasoline Engine

The Bathe Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania manufactured this toy outboard marine gas engine during the early 20th century. The engine has two opposing cylinders with a two-blade propeller.
Description (Brief)
The Bathe Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania manufactured this toy outboard marine gas engine during the early 20th century. The engine has two opposing cylinders with a two-blade propeller. The Bathe Manufacturing Company was owned by Greville Bathe, a machinist and engine hobbyist who donated this object to the museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
ID Number
MC.329046
catalog number
329046
accession number
278175

Märklin Toy Drill Press

This toy drill press was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1920. The toy has a cast metal body with the pulley attached to a gearing mechanism that spun the drill.
Description (Brief)
This toy drill press was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1920. The toy has a cast metal body with the pulley attached to a gearing mechanism that spun the drill. The toy could be connected to the drive wheel of a toy steam engine for power and produce realistic motion 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 1920
ID Number
MC.329071
catalog number
329071
accession number
278175

Weeden No. 101 Electric Motor

The Weeden no. 101 electric generator was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1912 until 1918. The toy is an electromagnetic generator, producing a direct electric current through the rotation of a wire coil in a magnetic field.
Description (Brief)
The Weeden no. 101 electric generator was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1912 until 1918. The toy is an electromagnetic generator, producing a direct electric current through the rotation of a wire coil in a magnetic field. The center axel of the generator could be connected to the flywheel of a Weeden steam engine, rotating the center coil, turning mechanical power into electricity.
The Weeden Manufacturing Company was founded in New Bedford, Massachusetts by William M. Weeden in the early 1880s, originally producing a variety of tinplate household items. In 1884 it introduced the Weeden No. 1 Steam engine as “a new and great premium for boys” who were subscribers to the Youth’s Companion magazine. Weeden made over a hundred different models of toy steam engines until the company ceased operations in 1952.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
MC.329036
catalog number
329036
accession number
278175

Model, Jacob Perkins 1823 Mill Steam Engine

This model was made by the Bathe Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the early 20th century. Greville Bathe was a machinist and steam engine hobbyist who would fashion his own parts to complete toy steam engines and models.
Description (Brief)
This model was made by the Bathe Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the early 20th century. Greville Bathe was a machinist and steam engine hobbyist who would fashion his own parts to complete toy steam engines and models. The model consists of vertical boiler on the first floor powering a horizontal engine on the second floor. The model identifies the building as the home of Perkins & Company Engineers of No. 69 Fleet Street, London, England.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1823
ID Number
MC.329093
catalog number
329093
accession number
278175

Ernst Plank Hot-Air Engine Toy

The Ernst Plank Company of Nuremberg, Germany manufactured this hot air engine around 1900. The engine is not a steam engine, as no water is heated. Instead the firebox heats air which expands and moves a piston to create useful mechanical work.
Description (Brief)
The Ernst Plank Company of Nuremberg, Germany manufactured this hot air engine around 1900. The engine is not a steam engine, as no water is heated. Instead the firebox heats air which expands and moves a piston to create useful mechanical work. The toy consists of a fire box to hear the air, with a piston powering a flywheel that is connected to a line shaft with three pulleys. The engine is very similar to the kind that ran the Praxinoscope toy made by Plank during the early 20th century.
Ernst Plank founded his company in Nuremburg, Germany in 1866. The company was well known for manufacturing a variety of metal toys like steam locomotives, stationary steam engines, early photography equipment, and magic lanterns until its dissolution in 1935.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
MC.329055
catalog number
329055
accession number
278175

Märklin Toy Steam Engine

This toy steam engine was made by the Märklin Company around 1920.
Description (Brief)
This toy steam engine was made by the Märklin Company around 1920. This toy steam engine consists of a vertical brass boiler that powered a flywheel, mounted on a metal plate painted green.
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 1920
ID Number
ER.329051
accession number
278175
catalog number
329051

Toy Beam Engine

This toy beam engine was made by an unknown manufacturer during the early 20th century. The toy is driven by a spring in its tin base. The engine consists of a vertical valve and walking beam shafted to a flywheel.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This toy beam engine was made by an unknown manufacturer during the early 20th century. The toy is driven by a spring in its tin base. The engine consists of a vertical valve and walking beam shafted to a flywheel.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MC.329042
catalog number
329042
accession number
278175

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