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.

Patent model for printing or decorating the surface of celluloid

This patent model demonstrates an invention for printing and decorating the surface of celluloid. A celluloid sheet was printed, and then heated under pressure against a polished sheet to finish the surface. The invention was granted patent number 346376.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for printing and decorating the surface of celluloid. A celluloid sheet was printed, and then heated under pressure against a polished sheet to finish the surface. The invention was granted patent number 346376. Model consists of two photogravure specimens.
The patent rights were assigned to the Celluloid Manufacturing Company, New York. Marshall Clifford Lefferts (born 1848) first worked with the American Telegraph Company. In 1870 he joined with the new Celluloid Manufacturing Company, of which he became president in 1890.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1886
patent date
1886-07-27
patentee
Lefferts, Marshall C.
ID Number
GA.89797.346376
accession number
089797
patent number
346376
catalog number
GA*89797.346376

Patent model for crystallotypes

This patent model demonstrates an invention for crystallotypes, textured printed surfaces made from crystalline surfaces, which were used for security printing; the invention was granted patent number 209521.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for crystallotypes, textured printed surfaces made from crystalline surfaces, which were used for security printing; the invention was granted patent number 209521. This invention produced crystallotype plates by means of electrotyping. The model consists of an electrotyped block.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1878
patent date
1878-10-29
maker
Schedler, Joseph
ID Number
GA.89797.209521
patent number
209521
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.209521

Patent model for method of making autographic stencils

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of preparing autographic stencils in which a porous paper stencil was prepared by varnishing the face of a sheet of paper, then drawing on it with a sharp stylus. The invention was granted patent number 215833.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of preparing autographic stencils in which a porous paper stencil was prepared by varnishing the face of a sheet of paper, then drawing on it with a sharp stylus. The invention was granted patent number 215833. The inventor called his process Multograph, or Stulograph. The model consists of a stencil frame and an envelope of papers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
patent date
1879-05-27
maker
Nickerson, Samuel S.
ID Number
GA.89797.215833
accession number
089797
patent number
215833
catalog number
GA*89797.215833

Metal Check Tag

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.1259
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.1259

Patent model for lathe (?)

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a lathe (?). Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a lathe (?). Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
1997.0198.03
catalog number
1997.0198.03
accession number
1997.0198

Patent Model of a Plate Printing Press

This patent model demonstrates an invention for an intaglio system that was designed to speed the operation of copperplate wiping, using an ordinary platen lever press.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an intaglio system that was designed to speed the operation of copperplate wiping, using an ordinary platen lever press. After paper was pressed against the face of the engraved plate, ink was piped from a reservoir to spaces under the plate and then forced up through holes in the plate into the engraved lines. Here the ink made contact with the paper. Unused ink was then sucked back out of the lines, leaving the plate clean as the platen was lifted again for the next sheet. The invention was granted patent number 30495.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-10-23
maker
Oakes, W. H.
ID Number
GA.89797.030495
accession number
89797
patent number
030495
catalog number
GA*89797.030495

Patent model for pantographic carving machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for an engraving pantograph, particularly intended for cutting letters from a pattern into stone; the invention was granted patent number 27827. The graver was provided with a rotating and/or a pecking motion.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an engraving pantograph, particularly intended for cutting letters from a pattern into stone; the invention was granted patent number 27827. The graver was provided with a rotating and/or a pecking motion.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-04-10
maker
Pease, W. H.
ID Number
GA.89797.027827
patent number
027827
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.027827

Patent Model for a Sheet-Feed Apparatus

This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for feeding sheets or blanks into an envelope-making machine; the invention was granted patent number 39872.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for feeding sheets or blanks into an envelope-making machine; the invention was granted patent number 39872.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-09-15
maker
Allen, Edwin
ID Number
GA.89797.039872
accession number
089797
patent number
039872
catalog number
GA*89797.039872

Patent Model for Stencil Frames for Autographic Writing.

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a stencil-printing frame which was granted patent number 219665. The frame is adjustable to take stencil sheets of different sizes.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a stencil-printing frame which was granted patent number 219665. The frame is adjustable to take stencil sheets of different sizes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
patent date
1879-09-16
maker
De Zuccato, Eugenio
ID Number
1996.0062.07
catalog number
1996.0062.07
accession number
1996.0062
patent number
219665

Patent model for picture frames, assigned patent number 059836.

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a system of hooks and springs for attaching pictures to their frames; the invention was granted patent number 59836.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a system of hooks and springs for attaching pictures to their frames; the invention was granted patent number 59836.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1866
patent date
1866-11-20
patentee
Hanks, Stedman W.
ID Number
GA.89797.059836
patent number
059836
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.059836

Patent Model for a Card Printing Press

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a crank-operated, self-feeding card press which was granted patent number 20039. A press based on this patent was produced for sale, and was demonstrated in the offices of the Scientific American in I860.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a crank-operated, self-feeding card press which was granted patent number 20039. A press based on this patent was produced for sale, and was demonstrated in the offices of the Scientific American in I860.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1858
patent date
1858-04-27
maker
Clarkson, William W.
ID Number
GA.89797.020039
accession number
89797
patent number
020039
catalog number
GA*89797.020039

Patent model for frame

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a frame. Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a frame. Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
maker
unknown
ID Number
1997.0198.15
catalog number
1997.0198.15
accession number
1997.0198

Patent model for trimming machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a trimming machine. Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a trimming machine. Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
maker
unknown
ID Number
1997.0198.16
catalog number
1997.0198.16
accession number
1997.0198

Hard Hat

Volunteerism plays an important role in philanthropy in America. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed lives and homes in the Gulf Coast in 2005, many nonprofit groups organized volunteers to help the recovery effort.
Description (Brief)
Volunteerism plays an important role in philanthropy in America. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed lives and homes in the Gulf Coast in 2005, many nonprofit groups organized volunteers to help the recovery effort. Jillian Gross led a team from Habitat for Humanity in rebuilding homes in Louisiana.
Description
This hard hat was worn by Jillian Gross while working for Habitat for Humanity, a not-for-profit, non-government organization advocating affordable housing around the world. Hard hats are used for head protection on construction and other work sites. This hat has a lightweight shell with suspension straps inside that absorbs shock from falling objects. It is made by MSA Incorporated.
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, Jillian Gross had worked with Habitat for Humanity for three years learning woodworking and house-building skills. Groups such as Habitat for Humanity marshaled volunteers, tools and lumber to step in when it became clear that normal avenues of housing assistance were overwhelmed.
In November 2005, Habitat for Humanity launched “America Builds on the National Mall,” a demonstration house-building marathon in Washington, D.C. in which the basic components of 51 homes were assembled within a week and shipped to the Gulf Coast. Upon completion of the project Ms. Gross, one of the house building leaders during this event, donated her tool belt, tools and protective wear to the Smithsonian Institution.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2005.0276.39
catalog number
2005.0276.39
accession number
2005.0276

Patent model for engraving machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for an engraving machine. Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an engraving machine. Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
maker
unknown
ID Number
1997.0198.14
catalog number
1997.0198.14
accession number
1997.0198

Metal Fastener

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.1883
catalog number
314686.1883
accession number
314686

Ornate Metal Fastener

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.1913
catalog number
314686.1913
accession number
314686

Metal Cap

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4056
catalog number
314686.4056
accession number
314686

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4629
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4629

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4633
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4633

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4625
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4625

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4626
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4626

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4634
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4634

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4637
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4637

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