Health & Medicine

The Museum's collections of medical science artifacts represent nearly all aspects of health and medical practice. Highlights include early X-ray apparatuses, such as one of Wilhelm Roentgen's tubes, penicillin mold from Alexander Fleming’s experiments, and Jonas Salk's original polio vaccine. More recent acquisitions include the first artificial heart implanted in a human, the earliest genetically engineered drugs, and materials related to David, the "Bubble Boy." Other artifacts range from artificial limbs and implant devices to bloodletting and dental instruments, beauty products, and veterinary equipment. The contents of a medieval apothecary shop and an 1890s drugstore form part of the collections, along with patent and alternative medicines. The collections also document the many differing perspectives on health and medical issues, from patients, family members, doctors, nurses, medical students, and out-of-the-mainstream health practitioners.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1953
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.165
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1958 - 1960
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1988.0717.21
catalog number
1988.0717.21
accession number
1988.0717
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.606
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.606
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1958-1970
product launched
1958
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.264
catalog number
1985.0475.264
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.620
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.620
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.166
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.166
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1979.1144.069
catalog number
1979.1144.069
accession number
1979.1144
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1984.0351.253.02
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.253.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1953
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1982.0003.03
accession number
1982.0003
catalog number
1982.0003.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.621
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.621
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Directions: Squeeze a little Wildroot Hair Dressing into one hand. Rub hands together and apply to wet or dry hair.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Directions: Squeeze a little Wildroot Hair Dressing into one hand. Rub hands together and apply to wet or dry hair. Massage vigorously.
The Wildroot Company of Buffalo, New York originally trademarked Wildroot hair tonic in 1920 and sold it in bottles. The product was marketed mainly to women, both to use on their own hair and to buy for their husbands. Early advertising claimed the hair tonic would cure dandruff, prevent balding, and produce thick, lustrous hair. In 1959 Wildroot sold its concerns to Colgate-Palmolive, and in 1962 the product was repackaged in a “new formula” and sold in a tube. The tag line "Grooms Clean as a Whistle, Quick as a Wink" introduced the new tube formula Wildroot. Advertising copy read, the "long lasting tube formula keeps your hair in place. Maybe your girl will mess up your hair, but not much else will."
date made
ca 1962
trademark date
1932
brand purchased date
1959
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.231
catalog number
1985.0475.231
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1953
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.203
catalog number
1985.0475.203
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950s
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1981.0219.044
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.044
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For more complete protection against tooth decay and water soluble chlorophyllins to destroy bad breath and promote healthy gums.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For more complete protection against tooth decay and water soluble chlorophyllins to destroy bad breath and promote healthy gums.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca late1950s
patent date ("Oral Preparation for the Inhibition of Dental Caries")
1954-09-14
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
MG.314016.013
catalog number
314016.013
accession number
314016
patent number
2,689,170
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
product launched
1944
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.193
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.193
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973 - 1977
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1988.0717.46
accession number
1988.0717
catalog number
1988.0717.46
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980s
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1988.0717.04
accession number
1988.0717
catalog number
1988.0717.04
In 1938 the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company in Jersey City, N.J., introduced Halo, the zero soap shampoo. Their slogan was "Soaping dulls hair, while Halo glorifies it." The product came with a double-your-money back guarantee.
Description
In 1938 the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company in Jersey City, N.J., introduced Halo, the zero soap shampoo. Their slogan was "Soaping dulls hair, while Halo glorifies it." The product came with a double-your-money back guarantee. Advertisements claimed that the lack of oils and harsh chemicals made the product clean-rinsing and safe for children.
Over the years the Colgate-Palmolive Company used celebrities and program sponsorships to endorse their product. In the 1940s, the product jingle, "Halo, Everybody, Halo," was introduced on the radio and early TV. Through the following decades, many celebrities and recording artists, including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Eddie Cantor, sang the Halo jingle. Halo was still being sold in the late 1970s.
While the Halo bottle retained its distinctive shape, at the end of 1954, Colgate-Palmolive introduced this new blue, white, and gold packaging. In 1956, their ads claimed they were "America’s #1 Selling Shampoo."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
product launch date
1938
packaging change date
1954
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.187
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.187
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1969-1973
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1988.0717.13
accession number
1988.0717
catalog number
1988.0717.13
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1985 - 1991
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1988.0717.51
accession number
1988.0717
catalog number
1988.0717.51
In 1938 the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company in Jersey City, N.J., introduced Halo, the zero soap shampoo. Their slogan was "Soaping dulls hair, while Halo glorifies it." The product came with a double-your-money back guarantee.
Description
In 1938 the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company in Jersey City, N.J., introduced Halo, the zero soap shampoo. Their slogan was "Soaping dulls hair, while Halo glorifies it." The product came with a double-your-money back guarantee. Advertisements claimed that the lack of oils and harsh chemicals made the product clean-rinsing and safe for children.
Over the years, the Colgate-Palmolive Company used celebrities and program sponsorships to endorse their product. In the 1940s, the product jingle, "Halo, Everybody, Halo," was introduced on the radio and early TV. Through the following decades, many celebrities and recording artists, including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Eddie Cantor, sang the Halo jingle. Halo was still being sold in the late 1970s.
In 1959, Colgate-Palmolive introduced this special formula for dry-hair. Both the new formula product and the "famous liquid gold Halo (America’s Favorite Shampoo)" received new bottle shapes. They were advertised as "the modern shampoo with extra shining action." Halo was still being sold into the late 1970s, although the packaging had changed a few more times over the years.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1959
product launch date
1938
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0460.126
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.126
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1984.0351.253.01
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.253.01
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Fight tartar build up. Exlcusive formula clinically proven protection.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Fight tartar build up. Exlcusive formula clinically proven protection.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1988
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1988.0717.05
catalog number
1988.0717.05
accession number
1988.0717
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1978
product launch
1978
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1988.0717.12
catalog number
1988.0717.12
accession number
1988.0717

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