Industry & Manufacturing

The Museum's collections document centuries of remarkable changes in products, manufacturing processes, and the role of industry in American life. In the bargain, they preserve artifacts of great ingenuity, intricacy, and sometimes beauty.

The carding and spinning machinery built by Samuel Slater about 1790 helped establish the New England textile industry. Nylon-manufacturing machinery in the collections helped remake the same industry more than a century later. Machine tools from the 1850s are joined by a machine that produces computer chips. Thousands of patent models document the creativity of American innovators over more than 200 years.

The collections reach far beyond tools and machines. Some 460 episodes of the television series Industry on Parade celebrate American industry in the 1950s. Numerous photographic collections are a reminder of the scale and even the glamour of American industry.

This patent model demonstrates an invention for sidesticks with several tapering sections, and grooves or steps to guide the quoins on their path; the invention was granted patent number 145574.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for sidesticks with several tapering sections, and grooves or steps to guide the quoins on their path; the invention was granted patent number 145574.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1873
patent date
1873-12-16
maker
Keehn, Francis
ID Number
1996.0062.10
patent number
145574
accession number
1996.0062
catalog number
1996.0062.10
This patent model demonstrates an invention for quoins whose two sides were opened or closed by wedges governed by a central double-threaded screw; the invention was granted patent number 139351.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for quoins whose two sides were opened or closed by wedges governed by a central double-threaded screw; the invention was granted patent number 139351.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1873
patent date
1873-05-27
maker
Ames, Chauncey W.
Ames, Chauncey W.
ID Number
1996.0062.01
patent number
139351
accession number
1996.0062
catalog number
1996.0062.01
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a quoin which was adjusted by means of a tapered screw; the invention was granted patent number 173493.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a quoin which was adjusted by means of a tapered screw; the invention was granted patent number 173493.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1876
patent date
1876-02-15
maker
Polen, George B.
ID Number
1996.0062.14
patent number
173493
accession number
1996.0062
catalog number
1996.0062.14
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a three-part quoin, the parts being held together by a key passing through a slot in the central wedge; the invention was granted patent number 148308.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a three-part quoin, the parts being held together by a key passing through a slot in the central wedge; the invention was granted patent number 148308. Roughened sides of the quoin prevented slippage on other furniture.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1874
patent date
1874-03-10
maker
Lame, Samuel C.
Briggs, Ferdinand Sherwin
ID Number
1996.0062.11
patent number
148308
accession number
1996.0062
catalog number
1996.0062.11
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a screw quoin, adjustable with any common wrench; the invention was granted patent number 167780.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a screw quoin, adjustable with any common wrench; the invention was granted patent number 167780.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
patent date
1875-09-14
maker
O'Shea, Andrew Jackson
ID Number
1996.0062.13
patent number
167780
accession number
1996.0062
catalog number
1996.0062.13
This patent model demonstrates an invention for sidesticks made with two symmetrical series of inclined surfaces; the invention was granted patent number 133948. Matching quoins were adjusted by turning a double-threaded screw.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for sidesticks made with two symmetrical series of inclined surfaces; the invention was granted patent number 133948. Matching quoins were adjusted by turning a double-threaded screw.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1872
patent date
1872-12-17
maker
McGrath, Thomas
ID Number
1996.0062.12
patent number
133948
accession number
1996.0062
catalog number
1996.0062.12
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Dominican Republic one-centavo coin around 1877. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Dominican Republic one-centavo coin around 1877. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: The legend reads: REPUBLICA DOMINICANA/1877
Reverse: The rim is surrounded by a wreath. The legend reads: UN CENTAVO
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1663
catalog number
1981.0296.1663
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Dominican Republic five-centavos coin around 1877. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Dominican Republic five-centavos coin around 1877. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: Central image of an open book. The legend reads: REPUBLICA DOMINICANA/1877
Reverse: The rim is surrounded by a wreath. The legend reads: 5 CENTAVOS
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1664
catalog number
1981.0296.1664
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Haitian five- gourde coin around 1905. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Haitian five- gourde coin around 1905. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: Profile image of Pierre Nord Alexis, facing left. The legend reads: REPUBLIQUE D'HAIT/I1905
Reverse: Seal of Haiti, six draped flags around a palm tree with a drum at its base, and topped by a Phrygian cap and surrounded by two cannons. The ribbon below reads, L'Union Fait La Force. The legend reads: LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ/5.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1905
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1667
catalog number
1981.0296.1667
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Haitian five- gourde coin around 1904. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Haitian five- gourde coin around 1904. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: Profile image of Pierre Nord Alexis, facing left. The legend reads: REPUBLIQUE D'HAIT/I1904
Reverse: Seal of Haiti, six draped flags around a palm tree, topped by a Phrygian cap with two cannons. The ribbon below reads, L'Union Fait La Force. The legend reads: LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ/5
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1904
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1666
catalog number
1981.0296.1666
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Dominican Republic 2½-centavos coin around 1877. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Dominican Republic 2½-centavos coin around 1877. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: The legend reads: REPUBLICA DOMINICANA/2½ CENTAVOS/1877
Reverse: Image of a wreath around the rim, with a cross at the center.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1672
catalog number
1981.0296.1672
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Nicaraguan five centavos coin around the 1898. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Nicaraguan five centavos coin around the 1898. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: Image of the Nicaragua coat of arms, consisting of a triangle, a Phrygian cap and five volcanoes. The legend reads: ESTADO DE NICARAGUA.
Reverse: Floral wreath around the rim. Legend reads: 5/CENTAVOS/1898
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1898
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1582
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1582
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Nicaraguan five centavos coin around the 1898. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Nicaraguan five centavos coin around the 1898. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: Image of the Nicaragua coat of arms, consisting of a triangle, a Phrygian cap, and five volcanoes. The legend reads: ESTADO DE NICARAGUA
Reverse: Floral wreath around the rim. Legend reads: 5/CENTAVOS
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1898
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1601
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1601
Consumer credit expanded in the 1920s, promoting a credit revolution. Stores like J.L. Hudson of Detroit, Michigan issued credit to favored customers, expecting full payment at the end of the month.
Description
Consumer credit expanded in the 1920s, promoting a credit revolution. Stores like J.L. Hudson of Detroit, Michigan issued credit to favored customers, expecting full payment at the end of the month. Before the advent of magnetic stripe plastic credit cards, these metal coins identified the customer that had credit at the store (the reverse has a customer ID number).
Joseph Lowthian Hudson founded the chain of Hudson’s department stores in Detroit, Michigan in 1881. As Detroit grew, Hudson’s moved to its flagship location on 1206 Woodward Avenue in 1911. This location was 25 stories tall and grew to the size of the city block. The department store expanded to other locations and in 1969 was acquired by the Minneapolis based Dayton department store forming the Dayton-Hudson Corporation. In 2000 Dayton-Hudson changed its name to that of its discount retail division – Target. Later the department store division was renamed Marshall Field’s which was then sold to Macy’s in 2006.
date made
1919
ID Number
2014.0062.05
accession number
2014.0062
catalog number
2014.0062.05
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1880. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1880. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: The legend reads: HENRY DE LISSER/COLON
Reverse: The legend reads: 5/CENTS
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1669
catalog number
1981.0296.1669
accession number
1981.0296
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a perfecting machine with two printing plates, two platens, and a rotary carrier to convey the paper between them; the invention was granted patent number 14558.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a perfecting machine with two printing plates, two platens, and a rotary carrier to convey the paper between them; the invention was granted patent number 14558.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1856
patent date
1856-04-01
maker
Folsom, George F.
ID Number
GA.89797.014558
accession number
089797
patent number
014558
014558
catalog number
GA*89797.014558
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this El Salvadorian one-real coin around 1880. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this El Salvadorian one-real coin around 1880. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: The legend reads: HACIENDA/1Real/SANTA EMILIA.
Reverse: Image of a tree. The legend reads: BLANCOY MERLOS/1880/SAN SALVADOR
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1668
catalog number
1981.0296.1668
accession number
1981.0296

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