Family & Social Life

Donations to the Museum have preserved irreplaceable evidence about generations of ordinary Americans. Objects from the Copp household of Stonington, Connecticut, include many items used by a single family from 1740 to 1850. Other donations have brought treasured family artifacts from jewelry to prom gowns. These gifts and many others are all part of the Museum's family and social life collections.

Children's books and Sunday school lessons, tea sets and family portraits also mark the connections between members of a family and between families and the larger society. Prints, advertisements, and artifacts offer nostalgic or idealized images of family life and society in times past. And the collections include a few modern conveniences that have had profound effects on American families and social life, such as televisions, video games, and personal computers.

In 1977, Commodore introduced the PET (Personal Electronic Transactor) home/personal computer. Appearing before either the Apple II or the Radio Shack TRS-80, it was among the first personal computers.
Description
In 1977, Commodore introduced the PET (Personal Electronic Transactor) home/personal computer. Appearing before either the Apple II or the Radio Shack TRS-80, it was among the first personal computers. The PET 2001, Commodore's first model, included four kilobytes of memory, cost $495, and was fully functional out the box. The computer sold well, but initially Commodore could produce only a meager thirty units a day.
The PET had a main board with a 1 MHz MOS 6502 processor and room for additional RAM. The machine included a built-in cassette on the front of the case for data storage. Users could write their own programs in BASIC, but many complained about the small keyboard, which made touch typing difficult. The screen of the PET computer was small (9"), and had a black or blue display. Users could design simple graphics, do animations, or work out math problems. A notable feature of the PET 2001 was that the top of the computer opened for maintenance like the hood of a car.
PET 2001 was designed by computer pioneer Chuck Peddle. He came to Commodore during the company's acquisition of MOS Technology in 1976. AT MOS, he had designed the KIM (Keyboard Input Monitor) computer. At Commodore, he convinced managers that computers were "in" and won approval to design the PET. It paved the way for later Commodore machines, such as the Commodore-64.
This particular PET 2001 was donated by Louis Mittleman, who noted not only that the keyboard was a serious "drawback," but also that the manual did not have much information.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1977
maker
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0591.01
catalog number
1985.0591.01
accession number
1985.0591
serial number
0011716
This plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1970. It has a screw-on white plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on white plastic stopper. The thermos bottle is decorated with various Dr.
Description (Brief)
This plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1970. It has a screw-on white plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on white plastic stopper. The thermos bottle is decorated with various Dr. Seuss cartoons, including the Cat in the Hat.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.05.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.05.02
Northstar developed from a computer store called "The Original Kentucky Fried Computer." It changed its name due to impending litigation by Kentucky Fried Chicken. The company's first product was a Floating Point Math Board for S-100 computers.
Description
Northstar developed from a computer store called "The Original Kentucky Fried Computer." It changed its name due to impending litigation by Kentucky Fried Chicken. The company's first product was a Floating Point Math Board for S-100 computers. They then developed an inexpensive floppy drive system. This led the way to the Horizon, one of the first computers with built in floppy drives.
Announced in November 1977, the Horizon was sold in a wooden cabinet, as opposed to the more usual metal or plastic. The initial price was $1,899 assembled and $1,599 unassembled. The Horizon ran on a Z-80 microprocessor that ran at 4 MHz. It contained 16 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 64 KB and 1 KB of ROM. The operating system was both CP/M and Northstar DOS. The machine was among the first to offer floppy drives, and customers could order one or two 90 KB 5 ¼" drives. Northstar was also one of the first machines to offer a hard disk drive. This was called an HD-18, and had 18 megabytes on an 18" platter. The Northstar Horizon was suited for business, education, and software development applications.
This particular machine was donated to the Smithsonian by Peter A. McWilliams. He used it in writing The Word Processing Book: A Short Course in Computer Literacy (1982). When it sold well, McWilliams wrote The Personal Computer Book, (1983), which became a runaway bestseller. This was his first computer.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
Northstar
ID Number
1989.0354.01
catalog number
1989.0354.01
accession number
1989.0354
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1978. It has a screw-on orange cup lid with handle and screw-on beige plastic stopper. The bottle is ringed with images of disco dancers.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1978. It has a screw-on orange cup lid with handle and screw-on beige plastic stopper. The bottle is ringed with images of disco dancers.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.04.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.04.02
This is an example of the first model of a scientific calculator marketed by Texas Instruments. The handheld electronic calculator has a black and ivory-colored plastic case with an array of twenty-three plastic keys.
Description
This is an example of the first model of a scientific calculator marketed by Texas Instruments. The handheld electronic calculator has a black and ivory-colored plastic case with an array of twenty-three plastic keys. Twenty-one of these are square, the 0 and the total keys are rectangular. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, and four arithmetic function keys, the calculator has a reciprocal key, a square key, a square root key, a change sign key, an enter exponent key, a clear key, and a clear display key. Text above the keyboard, just below the display and to the left, reads: SR10. Behind the keyboard is a 12-digit LED display. Numbers larger than eight digits are displayed in scientific notation. A mark behind the display reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. An on/off switch is right and slightly above this.
The back edge of the calculator has a jack for a recharger/adapter. A sticker on the back gives extensive instructions. It also gives the serial number SR10 275812.
Unscrewing screws near the top and bottom of the back reveals the workings of the calculator. It has a total of five chips. The largest of these is marked TMS 0120 NC (/) C7333. This is a TMS0120 chip, manufactured in mid-1973. Also in the case is space for three AA nickel-cadmium batteries.
The leather zippered case has both a loop and a hook for attaching the calculator to a belt. It also holds an instruction pamphlet entitled Texas Instruments electronic slide rule calculator SR-10, copyrighted 1973. A warranty registration on the inside of the back page indicates these instructions were originally sold with an SR-10 calculator with serial number 170334, purchased on September 27, 1973.
Texas Instruments described the SR-10 as an “electronic slide rule calculator,” hence the “SR” in the name. The first version of the device, introduced in 1972, did not have the mark SR-10 on the keyboard. The second version (introduced 1973) and the third (introduced 1975) did. This is an example of the first version. According to Ball & Flamm, it initially sold for $149.95.
Compare 1986.0988.351, 1986.0988.354, and 1986.0988.356.
References:
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 153.
The online Datamath Museum includes versions of the SR-10 from 1972, 1973, and 1975.
date made
1972
Date made
1973
maker
Texas Instruments
ID Number
1986.0988.354
catalog number
1986.0988.354
accession number
1986.0988
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)33-1/3 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)
33-1/3 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1971
performer
Henson, Jim
maker
Columbia
ID Number
2005.0298.04
accession number
2005.0298
maker number
CC23530
catalog number
2005.0298.04
This square plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1978, and is the companion bottle to the lunch box with object number 2001.3100.15.01. The bottle has a screw-on, white plastic cup lid and a white and red plastic stopper.
Description (Brief)
This square plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1978, and is the companion bottle to the lunch box with object number 2001.3100.15.01. The bottle has a screw-on, white plastic cup lid and a white and red plastic stopper. The bottle is blue and has a picture of a dog and a cat nuzzling on the front of the thermos.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3100.15.02
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.15.02
In the 1970s and 1980s, photographer Henry Horenstein documented the lives and performances of country and bluegrass musicians. The time marked the end of an era of less commercialism and closer relationships between fans and musicians.
Description
In the 1970s and 1980s, photographer Henry Horenstein documented the lives and performances of country and bluegrass musicians. The time marked the end of an era of less commercialism and closer relationships between fans and musicians. It was a time when the casual atmosphere of outdoor venues was popular, and the music fans could often meet their favorite musicians in the parking lots or other areas of the grounds. In this image, taken in 1972 at Indian Ranch in Webster, Massachusetts, bluegrass musician and singer Joe Val (1926-1985) plays a Gibson mandolin in a picnic area. He is accompanied by other guitarists and is being watched by fans. Val (born Joseph Valiante) was an accomplished mandolinist and guitarist who played both traditional and progressive bluegrass in his band, the New England Bluegrass Boys.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
1972
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.072
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.072
This metal, glass and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1973. It has a screw-on red cup lid and screw-on red stopper. The thermos is a replica of the red and white Campbell's Tomato soup can design.
Description (Brief)
This metal, glass and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1973. It has a screw-on red cup lid and screw-on red stopper. The thermos is a replica of the red and white Campbell's Tomato soup can design. This thermos accompanies Aladdin's pop art bread loaf dome lunch box, object number 2001.3101.16. Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Can paintings, created in 1962, had permeated popular culture at this point, and this thermos may be a take on those paintings.
Date made
1973
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.34
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.34
Tootle was written by Gertrude Crampton with illustrations by Tibor Gergely, published by Golden Press in New York, New York, in 1945, 25th reprint in 1971.Born in Budapest, Hungary into a middle-class Jewish family, Tibor Gergely (1900-1978) was captivated by art and culture at
Description (Brief)

Tootle was written by Gertrude Crampton with illustrations by Tibor Gergely, published by Golden Press in New York, New York, in 1945, 25th reprint in 1971.

Born in Budapest, Hungary into a middle-class Jewish family, Tibor Gergely (1900-1978) was captivated by art and culture at a young age. Known as a graphic illustrator and a caricature artist, Gergely’s early works documented Jewish life before the rise of Hitler. By 1939 the political situation in Europe was dire, and Gergely and his wife immigrated to America. They settled in New York and his love affair with the city never waned. He was enchanted with his new life in a postwar New York that included skyscrapers, rushing traffic and the excitement of life in the big city.

By 1940 Gergely was working for the American Artists and Writers Guild and became a popular illustrator for Little Golden Books, providing drawings for more than seventy books, including illustrations for The Taxi that Hurried, Make Way for the Thruway, Five Little Firemen and Tootle. His portrayals of America's rapidly expanding transportation systems and the recognition of public servants foretold the dramatic social and cultural events that would impact American society in the 1950s.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1945
1971
maker
Little Golden Books
ID Number
1992.0634.002
accession number
1992.0634
catalog number
1992.0634.002
Carl and Pearl Butler pose for photographs with fans.Currently not on view
Description
Carl and Pearl Butler pose for photographs with fans.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
Associated Name
Butler, Pearl
Butler, Carl
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.090
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.090
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1977. It has a yellow screw-on plastic cup with handle and a white screw-on plastic stopper.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1977. It has a yellow screw-on plastic cup with handle and a white screw-on plastic stopper. The thermos is decorated with portraits of the four band members of Kiss, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in their trademark face makeup.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.12.02
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.12.02
Ralph Baer is best known for developing the first video games, but he has accomplished more than that.In 1975, Baer, an engineer and inventor, started an independent consulting business and began to work in association with Marvin Glass & Associates in Chicago, the toy design fir
Description
Ralph Baer is best known for developing the first video games, but he has accomplished more than that.
In 1975, Baer, an engineer and inventor, started an independent consulting business and began to work in association with Marvin Glass & Associates in Chicago, the toy design firm responsible for some of the most successful American toys of the 20th century. Baer’s job was to develop electronic toys and games. The best-known result of this partnership was Simon.
In light of Simon’s success, Baer was asked by Marvin Glass to create another electronic game that was similar in nature. The result was Maniac, which was released by Ideal Toy Company in 1979. It was a multiple-player, sound-based game that required quick reflexes and the ability to identify and recall tonal sequences (rather than merely repeating them as they had with Simon). In an oral history interview (audio copies available in the National Museum of American History’s Archives Center), Baer admitted that the game was “really hard to play. You have to want to play games to want to play Maniac.” This could be the reason that Maniac never matched the popularity of Simon.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1979
inventor
Baer, Ralph H.
manufacturer
Ideal Toy Company
ID Number
2006.0102.10
catalog number
2006.0102.10
accession number
2006.0102
This plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 19970. The botte has a red plastic, screw-on cup lid and red plastic, screw-on stopper. Large white stars on a blue background and red and white vertical stripes around the sides evoke the American flag.
Description (Brief)
This plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 19970. The botte has a red plastic, screw-on cup lid and red plastic, screw-on stopper. Large white stars on a blue background and red and white vertical stripes around the sides evoke the American flag. The bottle is a companion to the Stars and Stripes lunch box, object number 2001.3087.17.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970
maker
Aladdin Industries Incorporated
ID Number
2001.3087.17.02
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.17.02
Billy Bird, seen here autographing a paper plate, played with Ernest Tubb (1920-2001) and was a pioneer of the electric guitar.Currently not on view
Description
Billy Bird, seen here autographing a paper plate, played with Ernest Tubb (1920-2001) and was a pioneer of the electric guitar.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.075
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.075
Maybelle Carter (1909-1978) was an original member of the performing Carter Family. After the breakup of that group in 1943, she formed a new act, known as Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, with daughters Helen (1927-1998) shown here on accordian, June and Anita.
Description
Maybelle Carter (1909-1978) was an original member of the performing Carter Family. After the breakup of that group in 1943, she formed a new act, known as Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, with daughters Helen (1927-1998) shown here on accordian, June and Anita. Maybelle was an influential presence, particularly as the originator of a style of guitar playing emulated by Leadbelly, Woodie Guthrie, and many other musicians.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.079
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.079
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1977. It has a screw-on blue cup lid with handle and screw-on beige stopper. The bottle is blue-green with action images of Wonder Woman.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1977. It has a screw-on blue cup lid with handle and screw-on beige stopper. The bottle is blue-green with action images of Wonder Woman. The bottle is the companion piece to the lunch box object number 2003.3070.26.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.26.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.26.02
Many acts in country music were built around brother duos and family members.Currently not on view
Description
Many acts in country music were built around brother duos and family members.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.007
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.007
Best known for her crossover hit, "Harper Valley PTA," Jeannie C. Riley (b. 1945) is pictured her on her tour bus.Currently not on view
Description
Best known for her crossover hit, "Harper Valley PTA," Jeannie C. Riley (b. 1945) is pictured her on her tour bus.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.033
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.033
Nationally known by the 1950s, "Stringbean" David Akeman (1915-1973) was a country comedian and exceptional banjo player. He is credited with reviving interest in the banjo in bluegrass and country music.
Description
Nationally known by the 1950s, "Stringbean" David Akeman (1915-1973) was a country comedian and exceptional banjo player. He is credited with reviving interest in the banjo in bluegrass and country music. He made his first banjo from a shoebox and string, and later went on to play with Bill Monroe's Band. Uncle Dave Macon mentioned Stringbean in classic jokes and traditional tunes, and was among the first Opry members to join the cast of Hee Haw. Publicity photographs in the background of this picture include Jean Shepherd, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, Stringbean himself, Bobby Lord, Bill Anderson, Flatt and Scruggs, the Browns, and the Four Guys.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.031
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.031
Bartender Wanda Lohman, known as "Miss Wanda," worked at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge from 1960 to 1984. The walls of Tootsie's became a kind of community scrapbook. Tootsie, like her patrons, was a fan of country music.
Description
Bartender Wanda Lohman, known as "Miss Wanda," worked at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge from 1960 to 1984. The walls of Tootsie's became a kind of community scrapbook. Tootsie, like her patrons, was a fan of country music. She collected autographs, posters, record albums, and photographs. Patrons, family, and friends contributed their comments and added photos.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1974
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.107
catalog number
2003.0169.107
accession number
2003.0169
This plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1970. It has a screw-on blue plastic cup lid with handle and white plastic stopper. The thermos is blue and white with cartoons of cows and people.
Description (Brief)
This plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1970. It has a screw-on blue plastic cup lid with handle and white plastic stopper. The thermos is blue and white with cartoons of cows and people. The thermos touts the benefits of “leche fresca,” or fresh milk, saying that “it will make you like a bull.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970s
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.09.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.09.02
Record from a DC area crime stoppers club. The record is wrapped in a piece of thin white paper and has a white label with blue print around the center. The label on the record features a Crime Stoppers Stamp Out Crime logo with a person stamping on a shadow.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Record from a DC area crime stoppers club. The record is wrapped in a piece of thin white paper and has a white label with blue print around the center. The label on the record features a Crime Stoppers Stamp Out Crime logo with a person stamping on a shadow.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972
recording artist
Crime Stoppers Club
ID Number
1987.0743.003
accession number
1987.0743
catalog number
1987.0743.003
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. It has a screw-on black plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on beige plastic stopper.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. It has a screw-on black plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on beige plastic stopper. The bottle is the companion to lunch box object number 2003.3070.11.01, and shows images of Marvel’s super heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, and the Hulk.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1976
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.11.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.11.02

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