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 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, and 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, 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 Ulysses S. Grant facing forward with a legend that reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT 1868.
Reverse: Bust of Schuyler Colfax facing forward, with a legend that reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1083
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1083
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1852.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1852.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 Winfield Scott facing left. Legend reads: MAJOR GENL. WINFD. SCOTT.
Reverse: Fasces topped with a “Liberty Cap,” surrounded by six flags, with a plaque that reads: CHIPPEWA/LUNDY’s LANE/VERA CRUZ/& MEXICO. The legend reads: A GALLANT & SKILLFUL HERO. THE PEOPLES CHOICE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
depicted
Scott, Winfield
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1305
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1305
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1841. 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 1841. 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 campaign medals. The medal has a hole in the top, allowing it to be worn.
Obverse: Bust of William Henry Harrison facing left. Legend: MAJ. GEN. W.H. HARRISON/BORN FEB 9, 1773.
Reverse: Log cabin with American flag, and barrel of hard cider. Legend: THE PEOPLES CHOICE/THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1841
depicted
Harrison, William Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1249
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1249
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. This token has a hole in the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: ONE RIDE TO OR FROM/LINCOLN PARK/U. ST. RY. CO./D.&W. DIVISION
Reverse: The legend reads: ONE RIDE TO OR FROM/LINCOLN PARK/U. ST. RY. CO./D.&W. DIVISION
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Union Street Railway Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1584
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1584
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.
Obverse: Image of a chopping block. The legend reads: 23 SPRING ST./NEW YORK
Reverse: Central image of Mittnacht’s Safe. The legend reads: G.M. MITTNACHT’S EAGLE SAFE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1520
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1520
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: INTERSTATE L’T’D MOTOR COACH CO./ILMCCo
Reverse: The legend reads: ONE FARE/ILMCCo/FALL RIVER, PROVIDENCE
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Interstate Limited Motor Coach Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1579
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1579
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
1981.0296.1235
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1235
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. The tintype picture of Grant is hanging from the beak of an eagle. The eagle has a pin on its back so that it could be worn on an article of clothing.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant, labeled “GRANT” inside a shield-shaped frame.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1167
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1167
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 and 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 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 Ulysses Grant facing right. The legend reads: General U.S. Grant.
Reverse: Legend reads: GENERAL U.S. GRANT/REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1252
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1252
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token during the mid 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 advertising token during the mid 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, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: LEWIS L. SQUIRE & SONS/ SHIP CHANDLERS AND ROPE MAKERS./ 283 FRONT ST. NEW YORK.
Reverse: The legend reads: DEALERS IN ANCHORS OILS PAINTS BLOCKS & C./ OAKUM SPIKES NAVAL STORES/ IMPORTERS OF CHAIN CABLES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1516
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1516
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this souvenir coin in 1965. 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 souvenir coin in 1965. 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, and coins.
Obverse: Bust of P.T. Barnum facing right.
Reverse: Image of an eagle. The legend reads: The Annual Barnum Festival/ 1965/ BRIDGEPORT CONNECTICUT YANKEE COIN CLUB/ COIN-O-RAMA
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1965
depicted
Barnum, P. T.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1612
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1612
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1828. 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 1828. 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: Bust of Andrew Jackson facing left. The legend reads: GENl ANDREW JACKSON.
Reverse: Two branches around the rim, the legend reads: THE NATION’S PRIDE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1828
depicted
Jackson, Andrew
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1189
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1189
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1840. 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 1840. 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 William Henry Harrison facing right. The legend reads: HONOR WHERE HONOR'S DUE TO THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE/ GEN WILLIAM H. HARRISON.
Reverse: Bust of Henry Clay facing left. The legend reads: HENRY CLAY/ THE FARMER OF ASHLAND/ BORN APRIL 12 1777.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1840
depicted
Harrison, William Henry
Clay, Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1239
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1239
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 reverse bears the signature of J.A. Harder on the center strip.
Obverse: Image of four stars. The legend reads: FULL/K.C. RYS. CO./FARE
Reverse: Three stars at the top. The legend reads: J.A. Harder/TREASURER
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Kansas City Railways Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1396
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1396
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1845. 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 1845. 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 left. The legend reads: HENRY CLAY 1845.
Reverse: Illegible manufacturer’s stamp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1845
depicted
Clay, Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1201
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1201
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.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing the right, with two branches below the bust and the legend: GRANT.
Reverse: Bust of Henry Wilson with two branches below the bust and the legend: HENRY WILSON.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1872
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Wilson, Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1208
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1208
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 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 campaign badges.
Obverse: Photograph of Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax that is labeled, “GRANT and COLFAX.” The photo is in an ornate silver-colored frame featuring a spread-winged eagle at the top, two unfurling red, white and blue American flags, and a scroll that reads “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1168
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1168
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company 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 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.
This badge features a tintype photograph set into a bronze frame with blue and lucent insets.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Horatio Seymour, labeled “SEYMOUR.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Seymour, Horatio
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1177
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1177
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 a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of James Madison facing left. The legend reads: 4th PRESIDENT, U.S.A./1809-1817/JAMES MADISON
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
depicted
Madison, James
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1638
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1638
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Hubert Humphrey Presidential campaign pin in 1968. 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 Hubert Humphrey Presidential campaign pin in 1968. 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.
The circular white button bears the logo of three interlocking blue “H”s and the text “Humphrey” in red. The button has a pin on the back, allowing it to be worn. Humphrey unsuccessfully ran for President on the Democratic ticket in 1968.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1968
referenced
Humphrey, Hubert H.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1300
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1300
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. 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 1860. 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. There is a hole in the top of the frame so the badge could be worn.
Obverse: Labeled photograph of Abraham Lincoln. The legend reads: UNION OF THE STATES 1860.
Reverse: Labeled photograph of Hannibal Hamlin. The legend reads: THE CONSTITUTION 1860.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
Hamlin, Hannibal
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1113
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1113
In the early 1860s Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut minted this Civil War store card coin for the B.W. Titus dry goods store of Trenton, New Jersey.
Description (Brief)
In the early 1860s Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut minted this Civil War store card coin for the B.W. Titus dry goods store of Trenton, New Jersey. During the Civil War many people hoarded coins resulting in a shortage that made buying and selling merchandise difficult. Some retailers responded to the problem by minting their own coins. Usually valued at one cent, these tokens helped their issuers continue to do business until the practice of privately minted coins was banned by the Coinage Act of 1864.
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: The legend reads: B. W. TITUS/ 20 E. STATE ST. TRENTON N.J.
Reverse: The legend reads: DRY GOODS/ OIL CLOTHS/ CARPETS & C.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1511
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1511
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, and 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, 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 badges.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing forward, the legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT 1868.
Reverse: Bust of Schuyler Colfax facing forward, the legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1070
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1070

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