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 safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in the early 20th century. This lamp is one of the popular and effective Wolf Company designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze in the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame. The "permissible" engraved on the lamp means the lamp was approved by the U.S. Bureau of Mines
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-002676
catalog number
MHI-MT-002676
accession number
115670

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois. Auto-Lite carbide mining lamps were produced from 1913 through 1960, most following the design Jacob Sherman patented in 1924.
Description
This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois. Auto-Lite carbide mining lamps were produced from 1913 through 1960, most following the design Jacob Sherman patented in 1924. This lamp has a homemade wire handle added.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8991
catalog number
MHI-MN-8991
accession number
263096

Witherbee Electric Cap Lamp

This Wico electric cap mining lamp was made by the Witherbee Igniter Co. of Springfield, Massachusetts around 1914. Witherbee started as a manufacturer of magnetos to ignite internal combustion engines.
Description
This Wico electric cap mining lamp was made by the Witherbee Igniter Co. of Springfield, Massachusetts around 1914. Witherbee started as a manufacturer of magnetos to ignite internal combustion engines. Witherbee became the Wico Electric Company and also manufactured batteries, like the one used in this electric cap lamp. The lamp consists of a battery encased in a locking metal case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord traveled to the cap lamp, which would be worn on the miner’s helmet.
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 cap lamp was the 37th object in his chronological development of underground lighting.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8157
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8157

Model "W" Electric Wheat Lamp

This Model “W” Wheat electric cap lamp was manufactured by the Koehler Manufacturing Company of Marlborough, Massachusetts around 1939.
Description
This Model “W” Wheat electric cap lamp was manufactured by the Koehler Manufacturing Company of Marlborough, Massachusetts around 1939. The lamp consists of a battery in a case that was worn on the miner’s belt and flexible rubber cord that travels to the electric cap lamp which was worn on the miner’s helmet. The side of the battery case bears the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Mines “Permissible” stamp marking it as safe for use in mines. The Wheat Model “W” lamp was given the approval number 20 by the Bureau of Mines on August 14th, 1939. This lamp belonged to Grant Wheat’s personal collection that was donated to the museum in 1962.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8159
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8159

Miner's Safety Lamp

This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the late 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 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 mining gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7722
catalog number
MHI-MN-7722
accession number
235039

Miner's Safety Lamp

This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design it was most likely made in the late 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 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 combustible mine gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7754
catalog number
MHI-MN-7754
accession number
235034

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This early 20th century carbide mining lamp has an unknown manufacturer. Carbide lamps produced a much brighter and cleaner flame than previous lamps.
Description (Brief)
This early 20th century carbide mining lamp has an unknown manufacturer. Carbide lamps produced a much brighter and cleaner flame than previous 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-7938
catalog number
MHI-MN-7938
accession number
240639

Oil-Wick Cap Lamp

This tin oil-wick lamp was manufactured by the Leonard Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. The Leonard Bros. (also known as T.F.
Description
This tin oil-wick lamp was manufactured by the Leonard Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. The Leonard Bros. (also known as T.F. Leonard Co.) advertised their lamps in the 1882 “Engineering and Mining Journal” as being available with three different spout sizes, made of seamless brass without any soldering. This particular lamp has one of the larger spouts, meaning it may have been used by a mule driver inside the mine.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8148C
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8148C

Wheat Lamp Plug Cover Model

This is a wooden plug-cover model that was used by inventor Grant Wheat. The filler plug model went with Grant Wheat’s first “Model A” battery powered cap lamp that he developed from 1910 until 1916.
Description
This is a wooden plug-cover model that was used by inventor Grant Wheat. The filler plug model went with Grant Wheat’s first “Model A” battery powered cap lamp that he developed from 1910 until 1916. The model belonged to Grant Wheat’s personal collection that was donated to the museum in 1962.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8197A
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8197A

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.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9771A
accession number
304880
catalog number
MHI-MN-9771A

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the late 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 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 combustible mine gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps. Further innovations included glass around the flame and a metal bonnet.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9764
catalog number
MHI-MN-9764
accession number
304880

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This safety lamp was likely manufactured in the early 20th century by an unknown maker (Hailwood designed lamps had a number of manufacturers). This safety lamp features Hailwood's patented removable wick tube and Hailwood's patented snuffer.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp was likely manufactured in the early 20th century by an unknown maker (Hailwood designed lamps had a number of manufacturers). This safety lamp features Hailwood's patented removable wick tube and Hailwood's patented snuffer. The lamp has a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8764
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8764

Miner's Safety Lamp

This safety lamp is a "baby" lamp with a signature engraved on the base of the lamp which reads "Jo. E. Sheridan." Joseph E. Sheridan was a U.S. Coal Mine Inspector for New Mexico in the early 1900’s.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp is a "baby" lamp with a signature engraved on the base of the lamp which reads "Jo. E. Sheridan." Joseph E. Sheridan was a U.S. Coal Mine Inspector for New Mexico in the early 1900’s. Mine bosses and inspectors, who would not need a full-size lamp for their short and infrequent excursions underground, often used baby lamps such as this one
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7859
catalog number
MHI-MN-7859
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-9573B
catalog number
MHI-MN-9573B
accession number
282791

Miner’s Safety Lamp

The E. Thomas and Williams Company of Aberdare, Wales, manufactured this safety lamp around the late 19th or early 20th century. The lamp employs a glass enclosure, double wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
The E. Thomas and Williams Company of Aberdare, Wales, manufactured this safety lamp around the late 19th or early 20th century. The lamp employs a glass enclosure, double 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-7866
catalog number
MHI-MN-7866
accession number
240639

Miner's Cap 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.
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. This is an oil-wick cap lamp, where the font contained a fuel consisting of lard and oil, the proportions subject to what was most affordable and available to miners at the time. The hook enabled the lamp to be worn on a cap and the spout bezel protected the cap from wick drippings.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7727
catalog number
MHI-MN-7727
accession number
235038

Miner's Cap 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. This is a metal cap lamp with an oval shield between the lamp and the spout.
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. This is a metal cap lamp with an oval shield between the lamp and the spout. The oval shield could have been a reflector for the flame, as well as protection for the hat. Interestingly, the reflector is an addition usually not seen until carbide lamps in the early 20th century.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7936
catalog number
MHI-MN-7936
accession number
240639

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This lamp is a horizontal tank Grier with an S-shaped water lever, manufactured around 1916. The Grier Brothers of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania began manufacturing carbide mining lamps in 1911.
Description (Brief)
This lamp is a horizontal tank Grier with an S-shaped water lever, manufactured around 1916. The Grier Brothers of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania began manufacturing carbide mining lamps in 1911. Their finances took a fatal blow in 1922 when the Supreme Court ruled against them for patent infringement in Baldwin & Simmons v. Grier Brothers. By 1924, the Gem Manufacturing Company had bought the Griers' stock of mining lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9798
accession number
066474
catalog number
MHI-MH-9798

Miner’s Carbide Lamp

This full shift carbide mining lamp was made by the Baldwin Company of New York City during the early 20th century. Acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism.
Description (Brief)
This full shift carbide mining lamp was made by the Baldwin Company of New York City during the early 20th century. 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-8800A
catalog number
MHI-MN-8800A
accession number
265669

Miner's Safety Lamp

This Davy safety lamp was made by J.W. Queen & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Sir Humphry Davy developed one of many safety lamp designs.
Description (Brief)
This Davy safety lamp was made by J.W. Queen & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Sir Humphry Davy developed one of many safety lamp designs. He discovered that if the holes in the metallic gauze enveloping the flame were smaller than they were deep, the flame would not pass through. This prevented the combustible gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames earlier oil-wick cap lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.059271
catalog number
59271
accession number
15369

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company in Chicago, Illinois, around 1930. Auto-Lite mining lamps were produced from 1913 through 1960, most following the design Jacob Sherman patented in 1924.
Description (Brief)
This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company in Chicago, Illinois, around 1930. Auto-Lite mining lamps were produced from 1913 through 1960, most following the design Jacob Sherman patented in 1924. This particular lamp likely dates to around 1930, as evidenced by the rubber bumper grip on the base and two lines of lettering on the top.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9772A
catalog number
MHI-MN-9772A
accession number
304880

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. This lamp bears a shield that reads “UMW of A” for the United Mine Workers of America.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8992A
accession number
263096
catalog number
MHI-MN-8992A

Miner's Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in the early 20th century. 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.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in the early 20th century. 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. The "permissible" engraved on the lamp means the lamp was approved by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the lines on the glass portion suggest the lamp was used to judge methane levels.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8106B
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-8106B

Miner's Electric Cap Lamp

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-7948
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-7948

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