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.

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token has been removed to leave the shape of a “W.”
Obverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1411
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1411
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1715
catalog number
1981.0296.1715
accession number
1981.0296
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. There is a triangle punched out of the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: CHI. SO. BEND & NO. IND. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ R. R. SMITH/ VICE PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1344
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1344
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. There is a star shape punched out in the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: CHI. SO. BEND & NO. IND. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ R. R. SMITH/ VICE PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1341
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1341
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: CHI. SO. BEND & NO. IND. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ R. R. SMITH/ VICE PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1342
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1342
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: CHI. SO. BEND & NO. IND. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ R. R. SMITH/ VICE PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1343
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1343
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid-20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid-20th century. The Scovill Company 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, and commemorative tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Theodore Roosevelt facing left. Legend: 26th PRESIDENT, U.S.A./1901-1909/THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Reverse: "TEDDY"/COLONEL OF THE ROUGH RIDERS IN WAR WITH SPAIN/GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK/VICE PRESIDENT./BECAME PRESIDENT UPON DEATH OF MCKINLEY,/BUILT PANAMA CANAL,/ THE TRUST BUSTER/"SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
depicted
Roosevelt, Theodore
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1651
catalog number
1981.0296.1651
accession number
1981.0296
This commemorative token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid-20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This commemorative token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid-20th century. The Scovill Company 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 various consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of James Monroe facing right. Legend reads: 5th PRESIDENT, U.S.A./1817-1825/JAMES MONROE
Reverse: "THE LAST COCKED HAT"/ SOLDIER OF REVOLUTION/ MINISTER TO FRANCE/ GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA/ SECRETARY OF WAR/ SECRETARY OF STATE/ PURCHASED FLORIDA FROM SPAIN/ ERA OF GOOD FEELING/ "MONROE DOCTRINE"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
depicted
Monroe, James
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1639
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1639
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 advertising token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and tokens. There are holes in both sides of the token.
Obverse: Image of Robin Hood drawing his bow. The legend reads: ROBIN HOOD SHOES/ FOR BOYS GIRLS/ A GOLD STANDARD SHOE.
Reverse: The legend reads: ROBIN HOOD/ PLAY 5 MONEY/ LUCKY COIN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1625
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1625
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token is stamped out to form a “B.”
Obverse: The legend reads: BRISTOL TRACTION CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Bristol Traction Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1329
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1329
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. This token has three parts punched out in the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: CR&L Lines/CRL CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/CRL CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1350
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1350
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. 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, coins, and transportation tokens. There are two semi-circular cutouts in the center of the token.
Obverse: Image of a bus in the center. The legend reads: COOKE STREET LINE, INC.
Reverse: Image of a bus in the center. The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE SCHOOL FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Cooke Street Line, Inc.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1354
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1354
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 various consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Franklin Pierce facing left. Legend: 14TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1853/ 1857/ FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Reverse: "POOR PIERCE"/ "FIRES OF CIVIL WAR LIGHTED"/ CONGRESSMAN UNITED STATES SENATOR BRIGADIER GENERAL IN MEXICAN WAR GREATER SOLDIER THAN STATESMAN FAVORED SLAVERY UNTIL OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Pierce, Franklin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1283
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1283
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. 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 various consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of John Tyler facing left. Legend: 10TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1841-1845/ JOHN TYLER.
Reverse: "ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT"/ "ANNEXED TEXAS"/ A SOLDIER IN WAR OF 1812 CONGRESSMAN GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA UNITED STATES SENATOR VICE PRESIDENT BECAME PRESIDENT UPON DEATH OF HARRISON SUPPORTER OF THE SOUTH.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Tyler, John
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1279
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1279
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. 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, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Andrew Johnson facing right. Legend: 17TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1865-1869/ ANDREW JOHNSON.
Reverse: "SIR VETO"/ "THE TAILOR PRESIDENT"/ WAS TAUGHT TO READ AND WRITE BY HIS WIFE GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE UNITED STATES SENATOR VICE PRESIDENT BECAME PRESIDENT UPON DEATH OF LINCOLN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Johnson, Andrew
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1277
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1277
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. 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, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of James Madison facing left. Legend: 4TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1809-1817/ JAMES MADISON.
Reverse: "FATHER OF THE CONSTITUTION"/ "DECLARED WAR OF 1812"/ SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER JEFFERSON AS A DEBATER AND DEFENDER OF THE CONSTITUTION HE BECAME ONE OF AMERICA'S GREAT STATESMEN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Madison, James
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1274
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1274
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. There are three sections punched out of the center of the token and a central legend of PRT.
Obverse: Small Keystone symbol at the bottom. The legend reads: PHILADELPHIA/PRT
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/PRT/SCHOOL CHILDREN ONLY
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1432
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1432
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. Three sections of the center are punched out.
Obverse: The legend reads: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS/EM/ST. RY. CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE/EM/ZONE FARE
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1367
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1367
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, and transportation tokens. The reverse bears the signature of J.A. Harder, the treasurer of the Kansas City Public Service Company.
Obverse: The legend reads: KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SERVICE CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: HALF FARE/ J. A. Harder/ TREAS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Kansas City Public Service Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1394
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1394
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token is punched out for resemble a wheel shape.
Obverse: The legend reads: UNITED ELECTRIC RAILWAYS CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ A. E. Potter./ PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
United Electric Railways Co.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1455
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1455
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. The token is stamped with a “W” in its center, and has three sections stamped out around the “W.”
Obverse: The legend reads: WHITE LINE/BUS CORP.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
White Line Bus Corp.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1467
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1467
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token is removed to leave the shape of an “S.”
Obverse: The legend reads: SOUTHERN NEW YORK P. & RWY. CORP.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE CITY FARE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Southern New York Power & Railway
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1450
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1450
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. There are three cut-outs in the center of the token. The Philadelphia Transportation Company used this token.
Obverse: The legend reads: DELAWARE RIVER/PTC/BRIDGE LINE
Reverse: The legend reads: PHILADELPHIA/BRIDGE TOKEN/CAMDEN
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1355
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1355
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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 transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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, coins, and transportation tokens. Two semi-circles are punched out of the center, leaving a strip. The reverse bears the signature of J.A. Harder.
Obverse: Image of four stars. Legend: FULL/K.C. RYS. CO./FARE
Reverse: Three stars at the top. Legend: J.A. Harder/TREASURER
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1677
catalog number
1981.0296.1677
accession number
1981.0296

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.