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 miner’s safety lamp was made by an unknown manufacturer during the late 19th or early 20th century. The lamp is called a safety lamp because it can be used safely in the presence of flammable gas.
Description
This miner’s safety lamp was made by an unknown manufacturer during the late 19th or early 20th century. The lamp is called a safety lamp because it can be used safely in the presence of flammable gas. This lamp is similar in style to the flame safety lamp developed by Sir Humphry Davy. Humphry Davy discovered that surrounding the flame with a fine wire gauze would cool the flame to such an extent that it could not ignite the flammable gas surrounding the lamp. Museum records indicate that this lamp was presented to electric cap lamp inventor Grant Wheat by Thomas Miller, superintendent of the Kingston Pocahontas Coal Company of Springton, West Virginia.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8132
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8132
This Davy-style safety lamp was made by an unknown maker in the second half of the 19th century. In Davy lamps, the flame is surrounded by metal gauze. The flame is unable to pass through the holes in the gauze, preventing any methane in the air from igniting.
Description (Brief)
This Davy-style safety lamp was made by an unknown maker in the second half of the 19th century. In Davy lamps, the flame is surrounded by metal gauze. The flame is unable to pass through the holes in the gauze, preventing any methane in the air from igniting.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8802C
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8802C
This mining lamp is a “Guy’s Dropper” model made by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinois, first manufactured in 1913. The lamp is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a miner from Springfield.
Description (Brief)
This mining lamp is a “Guy’s Dropper” model made by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinois, first manufactured in 1913. The lamp is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a miner from Springfield. Frank Guy partnered with George and Edgar Shanklin to produce this lamp, and the lamp saw tremendous success through World War I. The Shanklin Mfg. Co. was sold to the Universal Lamp Company in 1932, who continued to make "Guy's Dropper."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MI-1115.2
accession number
1978.0288
catalog number
MHI-MI-1115.2
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting flame was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be worn on a cap.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9771B
accession number
304880
catalog number
MHI-MN-9771B
First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel cover at both ends, connected the battery to the cap lamp.
Description (Brief)
First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel cover at both ends, connected the battery to the cap lamp. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7949
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-7949
This Davy-style safety lamp was made by L.F. Madara of Gilberton, Pennsylvania during the late 19th century. This Davy-style safety lamp employs a wire gauze that surrounds the flame.
Description (Brief)
This Davy-style safety lamp was made by L.F. Madara of Gilberton, Pennsylvania during the late 19th century. This Davy-style safety lamp employs a wire gauze that surrounds the flame. The flame is unable to pass through the holes in the gauze, preventing any methane in the air from igniting. The lamp has been mounted on a plastic base.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8775
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8775
This is a wooden model of the battery box of Grant Wheat’s electric cap lamp. This model belonged to Wheat lamp inventor Grant Wheat’s personal collection that was donated to the museum in 1962.Currently not on view
Description
This is a wooden model of the battery box of Grant Wheat’s electric cap lamp. This model belonged to Wheat lamp inventor Grant Wheat’s personal collection that was donated to the museum in 1962.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8196
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8196
This Davy safety lamp was made by the J.W. Queen and Company of Philadelphia in the late 19th century. The Davy lamp was used to alert miners to the presence of methane (firedamp) and prevent mine explosions. The flame would give off a blue cap if methane was present.
Description (Brief)
This Davy safety lamp was made by the J.W. Queen and Company of Philadelphia in the late 19th century. The Davy lamp was used to alert miners to the presence of methane (firedamp) and prevent mine explosions. The flame would give off a blue cap if methane was present. In order to lower the methane to acceptable levels, it would be purposefully ignited by a “fireman.” This lamp belonged to such a fireman.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.059269
catalog number
59269
accession number
15369
This lamp is made by the Dewar Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, New York, who produced carbide mining lamps from around 1914 until it was bought by the Wolf Safety Lamp Co. in the late 1930’s.
Description (Brief)
This lamp is made by the Dewar Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, New York, who produced carbide mining lamps from around 1914 until it was bought by the Wolf Safety Lamp Co. in the late 1930’s. Dewar was known for its “I-T-P” (It’s Trouble Proof), Sun Ray, and Dew-R-Lite lamp brands. This particular lamp is a Dew-R-Lite, probably manufactured in the late 1920's.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8941A
catalog number
MHI-MN-8941A
accession number
240639
Manufactured by the Grier Brothers, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1910's, this oil-wick mining lamp has a double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel.
Description (Brief)
Manufactured by the Grier Brothers, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1910's, this oil-wick mining lamp has a double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel. This kind of lamp hooked onto a miner’s cap, and produced an open flame on the miner's head so he could see his work in front of him.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8056
accession number
239012
catalog number
MHI-MN-8056
This safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. This Clanny style safety lamp employs a wire gauze and a glass globe surrounding the wick to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. This Clanny style safety lamp employs a wire gauze and a glass globe surrounding the wick to protect the flame. Safety lamps were invented in the early 19th century, and are used to this day for gas detection, even as mine lighting has been replaced by electric lights.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8769B
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8769B
The Koehler Manufacturing Company produced this safety lamp during the 20th century. The lamp is marked “Permissible” meaning that it was approved for use by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines.
Description (Brief)
The Koehler Manufacturing Company produced this safety lamp during the 20th century. The lamp is marked “Permissible” meaning that it was approved for use by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines. This lamp employs glass enclosure to protect the flame from extinguishing, wire gauze in the top-interior to keep the flame from escaping, and a metal bonnet exterior that serves both purposes.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8765
catalog number
MHI-MN-8765
accession number
265669
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by James C. Smythe of Plymouth, Pennsylvania that received patent number 204,628 on June 4, 1878.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by James C. Smythe of Plymouth, Pennsylvania that received patent number 204,628 on June 4, 1878. In his patent filing, Smythe claimed as his invention “a miner's lamp divided into an upper and a lower chamber, the latter forming the oil-reservoir, and provided with a small wick to convey the oil to the upper chamber and to a large wick passing from said upper chamber through the neck or tube of the lamp.” The dual chamber allowed use of the lighter oils in miners' lamps, by preventing excessive flow of oil to the spout.
Location
Currently not on view
patentee
Smythe, James C.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9743
accession number
88881
catalog number
MHI-MN-9743
patent number
204628
This is a carbide mining lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company, of Zwickau, Germany around 1910. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported lamps to the U.S. until World War I, when buying German items became unpopular.
Description (Brief)
This is a carbide mining lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company, of Zwickau, Germany around 1910. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported lamps to the U.S. until World War I, when buying German items became unpopular. Worn on a miner's cap, the reflector behind the flame cast a wide range of light, improving the miner’s peripheral vision.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7761
catalog number
MHI-MN-7761
accession number
235037
This lamp is a Dew-R-Lite hand lamp model, manufactured around the mid-1930’s by the Dewar Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, New York. Dewar produced carbide mining lamps from around 1914 until it was bought by the Wolf Safety Lamp Co. in the late 1930's.
Description (Brief)
This lamp is a Dew-R-Lite hand lamp model, manufactured around the mid-1930’s by the Dewar Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, New York. Dewar produced carbide mining lamps from around 1914 until it was bought by the Wolf Safety Lamp Co. in the late 1930's. Dewar was well known for its “I-T-P” (It’s Trouble Proof), Sun Ray, and Dew-R-Lite lamp brands.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8143
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8143
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting flame was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be worn on a cap, or hooked onto any other suitable location.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9573A
catalog number
MHI-MN-9573A
accession number
282791
This Victor model carbide mining lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois around 1920. This lamp was designed by William Frisbie and features his patented Polygon system.
Description (Brief)
This Victor model carbide mining lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois around 1920. This lamp was designed by William Frisbie and features his patented Polygon system. Acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism. The amount of water flowing into the calcium carbide container can be controlled, with more water producing more gas and a bigger flame when the lamp is lit.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8788B
catalog number
MHI-MN-8788B
accession number
265669
This battery-powered mining lamp, called the Hubbell Lamp, was made by the PortElec Safety Light Company in the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This battery-powered mining lamp, called the Hubbell Lamp, was made by the PortElec Safety Light Company in the early 20th century. Hubbell has produced many different lighting designs and first patented the chain pull electric socket, a design still used today.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8031
catalog number
MHI-MN-8031
accession number
236603
This lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company, in Chicago, Illinois in the first half of the 20th century. This lamp is notable for its reflector, a “matchless” design with a lighter built into the reflector to spark and ignite the acetylene gas.
Description (Brief)
This lamp was manufactured by the Justrite Manufacturing Company, in Chicago, Illinois in the first half of the 20th century. This lamp is notable for its reflector, a “matchless” design with a lighter built into the reflector to spark and ignite the acetylene gas. Instead of having a polished brass reflector like many lamps, this reflector is aluminum.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MI-1114
accession number
1978.0288
catalog number
MHI-MI-1114
This safety lamp was manufactured by the Protector Lamp and Lighting Company from Eccles, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp was manufactured by the Protector Lamp and Lighting Company from Eccles, Manchester, United Kingdom. This 33A version was one of Protector's most successful models, manufactured from 1935 into the 1950's, as one of their high candlepower lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7863
catalog number
MHI-MN-7863
accession number
240639
The Edison Safety Mining Lamp consisted of a battery encased in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord traveled from the battery to the lamp, which was worn on a mining cap.
Description (Brief)
The Edison Safety Mining Lamp consisted of a battery encased in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord traveled from the battery to the lamp, which was worn on a mining cap. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamps for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift. This lamp is a Model "P" and was made in 1940, and was used by Lanscoal, Inc. in Lansford, Pennsylvania.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8929B
accession number
260126
catalog number
MHI-MN-8929B
This lamp is an oil-wick cap lamp. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and remained in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout.
Description (Brief)
This lamp is an oil-wick cap lamp. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and remained in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting light was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be attached onto any suitable location inside the mine.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7989A
accession number
234932
catalog number
MHI-MN-7989A
This carbide mining lamp was made by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. This lamp was meant to be hung or hand-held, rather than worn on a cap.
Description (Brief)
This carbide mining lamp was made by an unknown maker during the early 20th century. This lamp was meant to be hung or hand-held, rather than worn on a cap. In carbide lamps, acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism. The amount of water flowing into the calcium carbide container can be controlled, with more water producing more gas and a bigger flame when the lamp is lit.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9767
accession number
304880
catalog number
MHI-MN-9767
This is an Oldham S4V Super Hewers' electric hand lamp manufactured by Oldham & Son Ltd. of Denton, Manchester, England during the 1930s.
Description
This is an Oldham S4V Super Hewers' electric hand lamp manufactured by Oldham & Son Ltd. of Denton, Manchester, England during the 1930s. The lamp consists of a lower metal bonnet that slid over the lamp’s battery, and a light bulb at the top that is encased in a ridged glass cylinder. Oldham & Son began servicing the mining industry in Manchester in 1865 with a variety of machines, before manufacturing mining lamps and batteries in the 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8140
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8140

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.