Industry & Manufacturing

Eli Terry Mass-Produced Clock

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.

Topic: Mining Lamps

Miner's Safety Lamp

This is a "Baby" Wolf Company Safety Lamp manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. The "baby" name denotes the lamp’s smaller size.
Description (Brief)
This is a "Baby" Wolf Company Safety Lamp manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. The "baby" name denotes the lamp’s smaller size. The baby Wolf safety lamp was manufactured for mine bosses or officials who only needed lamps for infrequent, brief periods and could therefore have a smaller lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7861
catalog number
MHI-MN-7861
accession number
240639

Miner’s Cap Lamp

This oil-wick cap lamp was made by George Anton & Son in Monongahela, Pennsylvania during the second half of the 19th century. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by George Anton & Son in Monongahela, Pennsylvania during the second half of the 19th century. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company. Called a "Sunshine Lamp," the outer spout served to insulate the wick in the inner spout, thereby conducting enough heat to melt the wax in the Sunshine fuel. This kind of lamp hooked onto a miner’s cap, and produced an open flame.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9714
accession number
299293
catalog number
MHI-MN-9714

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois, around 1920. This brand was among the most popular and dependable mining lamps of the early 20th century. After acquiring Shanklin Mfg. Co.
Description (Brief)
This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois, around 1920. This brand was among the most popular and dependable mining lamps of the early 20th century. After acquiring Shanklin Mfg. Co. and its "Guy's Dropper" brand, the Universal Lamp Company produced two of the three largest lighting brands to survive past World War II.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7935
catalog number
MHI-MN-7935
accession number
240639

Miner's Safety Lamp

This safety lamp was manufactured by Friemann and Wolf of Zwickau, Germany, in 1926. This safety lamp was one of employed a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp was manufactured by Friemann and Wolf of Zwickau, Germany, in 1926. This safety lamp was one of employed a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame. This lamp typifies one of the most popular and effective Friemann and Wolf designs.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7865A
catalog number
MHI-MN-7865A
accession number
240639

Oil-Wick Cap Lamp

The lamp was manufactured by J. Anton and Son of Monongahela, Pennsylvania between 1905 and 1918. J. Anton and Son marketed their lamps under the trade name of U.S.A. Eagle, and there is an image of an eagle impressed on the lamp.
Description
The lamp was manufactured by J. Anton and Son of Monongahela, Pennsylvania between 1905 and 1918. J. Anton and Son marketed their lamps under the trade name of U.S.A. Eagle, and there is an image of an eagle impressed on the lamp. Around the eagle is the engraving “U.S.A EAGLE / JANTON & SON / MONONGAHELA, PA.” The lamp’s long spout has a circular bezel to protect wearer’s cap from drippings.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8148E
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8148E

Miner's Cap Lamp

This oil-wick mining lamp would have been in use from around 1850-1920. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick mining lamp would have been in use from around 1850-1920. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company. Called a "Sunshine Lamp," the outer spout served to insulate the wick in the inner spout, thereby conducting enough heat to melt the wax in the Sunshine fuel. This kind of lamp hooked onto a miner’s cap, and produced an open flame.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7725
catalog number
MHI-MN-7725
accession number
235036

Miner's Safety Lamp

This lamp was manufactured by the J. Davies & Son Ltd. from Baltimore, Maryland in the late 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This lamp was manufactured by the J. Davies & Son Ltd. from Baltimore, Maryland in the late 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in glass or metal gauze prevented the combustible gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps. This lamp’s exterior metal coating is called a “bonnet” and was a big improvement in safety lamp design.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7721
catalog number
MHI-MN-7721
accession number
235039

Miner's Cap Lamp

This is a copper oil-wick cap lamp made by J&A McDougall of Pittston, Pennsylvania likely in the latter half of the 20th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s.
Description (Brief)
This is a copper oil-wick cap lamp made by J&A McDougall of Pittston, Pennsylvania likely in the latter half of the 20th 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.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
ID Number
AG.059073
catalog number
059073
accession number
014851

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois, around 1920. This brand was among the most popular and dependable mining lamps of the early 20th century. After acquiring Shanklin Mfg. Co.
Description (Brief)
This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois, around 1920. This brand was among the most popular and dependable mining lamps of the early 20th century. After acquiring Shanklin Mfg. Co. and its "Guy's Dropper" brand, the Universal Lamp Company produced two of the three largest lighting brands to survive past World War II.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MI-1074
catalog number
MHI-MI-1074
accession number
310664

Miner’s Safety Lamp

The Hughes Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania manufactured this Davy style safety lamp in the latter half of the 19th century.
Description (Brief)
The Hughes Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania manufactured this Davy style safety lamp in the latter half of the 19th century. Encasing the flame in metal gauze prevented the flame from escaping the lamp and igniting the combustible gases (called firedamp), as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps. 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-9548D
accession number
280476
catalog number
MHI-MN-9548D

Miner's Safety Lamp

While safety lamps were phased out for light-producing purposes in the mid-20th century, they still play a role in gas detection. This Pieler lamp is made expressly for gas detection and measurement. The flame would have been lowered to a small height.
Description (Brief)
While safety lamps were phased out for light-producing purposes in the mid-20th century, they still play a role in gas detection. This Pieler lamp is made expressly for gas detection and measurement. The flame would have been lowered to a small height. In the presence of methane, a blue "cap" would appear on the flame, with the height of the flame corresponding to the amount of methane in the air, easily measured by the scale built into the lamp
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7867
catalog number
MHI-MN-7867
accession number
240639

Miner's Cap Lamp

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-8777H
catalog number
MHI-MN-8777H
accession number
265669

Miner’s Cap Lamp

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-9235A
accession number
268055
catalog number
MHI-MN-9235A

Miner's Electric Cap Lamp

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.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7875
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-7875

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This lamp was made by the Dewar Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, New York, who produced carbide mining lamps from around 1914 until 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.
Description (Brief)
This lamp was made by the Dewar Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, New York, who produced carbide mining lamps from around 1914 until 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. This lamp incorporated Dewar's patented float-feed water delivery system, a staple of the I-T-P line.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8147
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8147

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This lamp was made by A.l. Hansen Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois in the late 1920’s. Augie L.
Description (Brief)
This lamp was made by A.l. Hansen Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois in the late 1920’s. Augie L. Hansen was a prolific lamp designer for the Justrite Manufacturing Company from 1911-1919 before leaving to start his own manufacturing company in Chicago in 1920.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9614
accession number
282789
catalog number
MHI-MN-9614

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This safety lamp model is an Ashworth-Hepplewhite-Gray lamp. The lamp is a “test lamp” used to measure the amount of methane in the air. The tubes that run vertically direct air to the flame at the base, which will then produce a colored “cap” in the presence of methane.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp model is an Ashworth-Hepplewhite-Gray lamp. The lamp is a “test lamp” used to measure the amount of methane in the air. The tubes that run vertically direct air to the flame at the base, which will then produce a colored “cap” in the presence of methane. The majority of Ashworth-Hepplewhite-Gray lamps were produced by John Davis & Son of Derby, Leicestershire, U.K., during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8761A
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8761A

Miner's Electric Cap Lamp

First manufactured in 1912, 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 to the cap lamp, and was protected by a flexible steel cover on its entrance into both the battery and lamp.
Description (Brief)
First manufactured in 1912, 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 to the cap lamp, and was protected by a flexible steel cover on its entrance into both the battery and lamp. The battery could power the six candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift. This lamp has a Model "E" battery with a Model "F" head.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8036
accession number
236603
catalog number
MHI-MN-8036

Miner’s Safety Lamp

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.
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.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9769
catalog number
MHI-MN-9769
accession number
304880

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This lamp appears to be a Dew-R-Lite model, made by the Dewar Manufacturing Company, perhaps model number 205. The Dewar Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, New York, 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 appears to be a Dew-R-Lite model, made by the Dewar Manufacturing Company, perhaps model number 205. The Dewar Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, New York, 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-8950
catalog number
MHI-MN-8950
accession number
236603

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design it was most likely made in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design it was most likely made in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in glass or metal gauze prevented combustible mine gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps. This Davy style lamp has the interesting addition of a lens to focus the flame's light.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8810
catalog number
MHI-MN-8810
accession number
265669

Miner's Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company of Zwickau, Germany in the late 19th century. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported their lamps to the U.S.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company of Zwickau, Germany in the late 19th century. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported their lamps to the U.S. until World War I, when buying German products became unpopular. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7864
catalog number
MHI-MN-7864
accession number
240639

Hanging Tunnel Lamp

This hanging tunnel lamp was made by an unknown maker during the 17th century. The hanging tunnel extremely popular in Germany and in the United States as German’s immigrated to America. The lamp consists of a large font with a hinged door with room for a wick.
Description
This hanging tunnel lamp was made by an unknown maker during the 17th century. The hanging tunnel extremely popular in Germany and in the United States as German’s immigrated to America. The lamp consists of a large font with a hinged door with room for a wick. These hinged lids allowed for larger fonts with less fuel spilling. The chain could also swivel, allowing the miner to easily point his light in the desired direction.
Electric cap lamp inventor Grant Wheat’s personal collection of mining lamps was donated to the museum in 1962. Many of these objects were depicted in his “Story of Underground Lighting” published in the “Proceedings of the Illinois Mining Institute” in 1945. This lamp is 16th in his chronological development of underground lighting, and Wheat claims that it is a “300 year old ‘Betty type’ lamp used in the silver mines of Mexico.”
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8167
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8167

Mining Tunnel Lamp

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

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