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.

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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
ID Number
1981.0296.1716
catalog number
1981.0296.1716
accession number
1981.0296
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1853. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1853. 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 medals.
Obverse: Image of the New York Crystal Palace. Legend: BUILDING FOR THE EXHIBITION OF THE INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS/ NEW YORK/ MDCCCLIII.
Reverse: Wreath with two different branches. Legend: THE FIRST PILLAR WAS ERECTED OCTOBER 30th 1852/ OPENED MAY 2nd/ 1853/ MESSrs GARSTENSEN & GILDEMIESTER/ ARHCITECHTS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1853
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1609
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1609
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. 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.
Obverse: Bust of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill and William Henry Scovill. The legend reads: SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY/ J.M.L. SCOVILL-Wm. H. SCOVILL/1802-1902 WATERBURY, CONN.
Reverse: The legend reads: CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO./PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY TO GEO.E.HART/1802/ABEL PORTER & CO./1811/LEAVENWORTH HAYDEN & SCOVILL/1827/J.M.L. & W.H. SCOVILL/1850/SCOVILL MFG. CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1596
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1596
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1889.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1889.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 campaign medals. The medal has a hole so it could be worn.
Obverse: Bust of Louis Daguerre facing left. The legend reads: PRESENTED BY/ 1839-1889/ THE PHOTOGRAPHIC TIMES
Reverse: The legend reads: SOUVENIR OF THE SEMICENTENNIAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY/ AUGUST 1889
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1889
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1610
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1610
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this commemorative medal around 1866. 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 commemorative medal around 1866. 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 medals.
Obverse: Image of a sprig of clover, two hands shaking, and a rising sun. The legend reads: IRELAND/1866/AMERICA.
Reverse: Image of a frigate sailing. The legend reads: IRISH/FB/REPUBLIC.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1866
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1509
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1509
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1947.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1947.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 campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Thomas Edison facing right. The legend reads: THOMAS A. EDISON
Reverse: The legend reads: COMMEMORATING / THOMAS A. EDISON / CENTENNIAL / 1847-1947
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
depicted
Edison, Thomas Alva
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1573
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1573
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1893. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1893. 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 medals.
Obverse: Image of John Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence signing on the upper half, an eagle perched on a shield flanked by busts of Columbus and George Washington on the lower half. The legend reads: SIGNING OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE/ JULY 4th 1776/ WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION/ 1892 1893/ COLUMBUS/ WASHINGTON/ CHICAGO
Reverse: Image of Columbus discovering America and planting a cross on the upper half of the coin, and an image of the Pilgrims landing on the bottom half. The legend reads: DISCOVERY OF AMERICA/ OCTOBER 1493/ DEC 1620/ LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1893
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1607
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1607
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that 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 campaign badges.
This badge features a profile bust of a man in a uniform (likely George B. McClellan) facing left, and the rim of the shield is lined with 34 stars. Above the head of the man the legend reads: Union.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1098
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1098
This patriotic 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 patriotic 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 a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Image of Lady Liberty holding a torch and a shield , with a man holding up a rifle. The legend reads: WE PLEDGE OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES, AND OUR SACRED HONOR.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1611
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1611
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. 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.
Obverse: Bust of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill and William Henry Scovill facing each other. Legend: SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY/ J.M.L. SCOVILL-Wm. H. SCOVILL/1802-1902 WATERBURY, CONN.
Reverse: CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO./PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY TO CHAS.S.TREADWAY/ 1802/ABEL PORTER & CO./1811/LEAVENWORTH HAYDEN & SCOVILL/1827/J.M.L. & W.H. SCOVILL/1850/SCOVILL MFG. CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1713
catalog number
1981.0296.1713
accession number
1981.0296
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1891. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1891. 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 medals.
Obverse: Image of an eagle on the shield of the United States, with a cogwheel and sheaf of grain to the left. The legend reads: PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Reverse: The legend reads: PATENT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION/WASHINGTON April 10, 1891.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1891
referenced
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1608
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1608
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1924. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1924. 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 campaign medals. This commemorative medal is German.
Obverse: Profile image of Gustav Selve facing left. The legend reads: GUSTAV SELVE/EIN PIONIER DER NICKEL-INDUSTRIE.
Reverse: The legend reads: REIN-NICKEL ALTENA (WESTF.)/1874-1924/50/JAHRE/NICKEL/ HĂśTTE/BASSE/und/SELVE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924
Maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1712
catalog number
1981.0296.1712
accession number
1981.0296
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1896. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1896. 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 medals.
Obverse: Image of Princeton’s Nassau Hall. The legend reads: AVLA NASSOVICA MDCCCXCVI
Reverse: The legend reads: DE/ISVB NVMINE/VICET/QVOD ANTEA FVIT/ COLLEGIVM/ NEOCAESARIENSE/ NVNC ANNIS+CL+IMPLETIS/ VNIVERSITAS/ PRINCETONIENSIS/ SAECVLVM SPECTAT/ NOVVM
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1896
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1606
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1606
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. 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.
Obverse: Bust of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill and William Henry Scovill. The legend reads: SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY/ J.M.L. SCOVILL-Wm. H. SCOVILL/1802-1902 WATERBURY, CONN.
Reverse: The legend reads: CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO./PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY TO (blank) 1802/ABEL PORTER & CO./1811/LEAVENWORTH HAYDEN & SCOVILL/1827/J.M.L. & W.H. SCOVILL/1850/SCOVILL MFG. CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1589
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1589
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. 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.
Obverse: Bust of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill and William Henry Scovill facing each other. Legend: SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY/ J.M.L. SCOVILL-Wm. H. SCOVILL/1802-1902 WATERBURY, CONN.
Reverse: CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO./PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY TO CHAS.S.TREADWAY/ 1802/ABEL PORTER & CO./1811/LEAVENWORTH HAYDEN & SCOVILL/1827/J.M.L. & W.H. SCOVILL/1850/SCOVILL MFG. CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1714
catalog number
1981.0296.1714
accession number
1981.0296
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1805. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1805. 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 medals.
Obverse: Bust of Friedrich Schiller facing right. Legend reads: FRIED.von SCHILLER.
Reverse: Two branches wreath the bottom, with a central image of a bell. The legend reads: MORTUOS PLANGO/NATUS 1759/OBIT 1805.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1805
depicted
von Schiller, Friedrich
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1222
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1222
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1902. 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.
Obverse: Bust of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill and William Henry Scovill. The legend reads: SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY/ J.M.L. SCOVILL-Wm. H. SCOVILL/1802-1902 WATERBURY, CONN.
Reverse: CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING CO./PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY TO C.M. DE MOTT JR./1802/ABEL PORTER & CO./1811/LEAVENWORTH HAYDEN & SCOVILL/1827/J.M.L. & W.H. SCOVILL/1850/SCOVILL MFG. CO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1590
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1590
This medallion 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 medallion 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 a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals. There is a ring at the top to the medallion could be worn.
Obverse: Central image of a deer, surrounded by images of a fasces, Lady Liberty, hands shaking, and two children.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1597
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1597
This medal, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Charles F. Barber, was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1892.
Description (Brief)
This medal, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Charles F. Barber, was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1892. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Image of Christopher Columbus landing in America. Legend: CHRISTOPHER COLVMBVS/ OCT XII MCCCCXCI/I AVGVSTVS SAINT GAVDENS FECIT.
Reverse: Two angels flank a globe, below are two lit torches around a plaque, and a ship on waves at the bottom. The plaque has a legend that reads: WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FOUR HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS/MDCCCXCII-MDCCCXCIII TO BINGHAMTON STATE HOSPITAL/ C. E. BARBER FECIT
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1892
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
Barber, Charles
ID Number
1981.0296.1591
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1591
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this medal during the second half of the 19th 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 medal during the second half of the 19th 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 medals.
Obverse: The Monitor and Merrimac warships engaged in battle. Legend: THE FIRST BATTLE BETWEEN IRON CLAD WAR VESSELS.
Reverse: THE REBEL STEAMER MERRIMAC, WITH 12 GUNS, DEFEATED BY THE UNION STEAMER MONITOR, WITH 2 GUNS, IN HAMPTON RDS, MAR. 9. 1862.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1525
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1525
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this medal during the second half of the 19th 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 medal during the second half of the 19th 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 medals.
Obverse: Bust of Robert Fulton facing forward. The legend reads: ROBERT FULTON/BORN 1765 DIED 1815.
Reverse: The legend reads: STEAM NAVIGATION WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES ON THE HUDSON RIVER 1807/ ALFRED G. ROBINSON'S HISTORICAL SERIES No. 2
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
depicted
Fulton, Robert
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1572
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1572
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this medal during the middle of the 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 medal during the middle of the 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 medals.
Obverse: Bust image of Clark Gable, facing three quarters to the left. The legend reads: CLARK GABLE.
Reverse: An inscription that reads METRO GOLDWYN MAYER STAR.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
depicted
Gable, Clark
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1624
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1624

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