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 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 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.
Obverse: Profile image of Lady Liberty facing left. The legend reads: 1863.
Reverse: Wreath around the rim. The legend reads: ARMY & NAVY.
Location
Currently not on view
date on object
1863
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1603
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1603
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
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1904. 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 luggage tag around 1904. 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 tokens.
This Presidential campaign novelty is a square-shaped tag with the inscription: PARKER/1904/DAVIS. Alton Parker and Henry Davis unsuccessfully ran on the Democratic ticket for President and Vice President in the 1904 election.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1904
referenced
Parker, Alton Brooks
Davis, Henry G.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1614
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1614
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
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token around 1863. 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 around 1863. 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.
Obverse: Image of a mortar and pestle, surrounded by a wreath. The legend reads: T. BRIMELOW, DRUGIST, 432 THIRD AVENUE. N-Y./ 1863/ 1.
Reverse: Rim encircled by stars. The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE GLASS OF SODA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1526
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1526
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 in 1906. 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 in 1906. 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 has a circular hole in the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: MUNICIPAL TRACTION CO./ CLEVELAND.
Reverse: The legend reads: 3 CENT TICKET 1906.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906
referenced
Municipal Traction Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1345
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1345
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 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 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 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
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and 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, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Profile image of Stephen Douglas facing left. Legend reads: DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE Stephen A. Douglas / 1860.
Reverse: An image of an eagle with shield, clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons. Legend reads: LIBERTY UNION AND EQUALITY.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860
depicted
Douglas, Stephen A.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1225
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1225
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1861. 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 1861. 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 medal has a hole at the top so the medal could be worn on an article of clothing.
Obverse: Bust of George McClellan facing left. Legend reads: MAJOR GENERAL GEO. B. McCLELLAN/War OF 1861.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
depicted
McClellan, George B.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1220
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1220
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1872. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1872. 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 medals. The outer brass rim is ringed with 21 stars and inscribed with the date 1872.
Obverse: Bust of Horace Greeley facing right. Legend: HORACE GREELEY/1872.
Reverse: Bust of Benjamin Brown facing right, the legend reads: B. GRATZ BROWN/1872.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1872
depicted
Greeley, Horace
Brown, Benjamin G.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1188
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1188
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
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of both Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax, labeled “GRANT and COLFAX.” The photograph is set into a bronze circular frame that has an orange background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1169
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1169
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
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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 medals. This medal has been somewhat defaced.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. The legend reads: LIEUT. GEN. U. S. GRANT.
Reverse: Bust of Washington with four flags and spears behind him. Legend reads: THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1119
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1119
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1824. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1824. 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 medals.
Obverse: Profile image of Henry Clay facing right, with the legend: HENRY CLAY.
Reverse: Image of two laurel leaves around the rim and a central legend that reads: A TARIFF FOR PROTECTION.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1824
depicted
Clay, Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1150
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1150

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