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.

Name: Scovill Manufacturing Company

Franklin Pierce Commemorative Token

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 Franklin Pierce facing left. Legend: 14th PRESIDENT, U.S.A./1853-1857/FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Reverse: Legend: "POOR PIERCE"/ CONGRESSMAN/ UNITED STATES SENATOR/ BRIGADIER GENERAL IN MEXICAN WAR/ GREATER SOLDIER THAN STATESMAN/ FAVORED SLAVERY UNTIL OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR/ "FIRST OF CIVIL WAR LIGHTED.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
depicted
Pierce, Franklin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1640
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1640

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. 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 1860. 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: Profile image of Abraham Lincoln facing right. Legend reads: HON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 1860.
Reverse: Depiction of two men splitting logs with a log cabin in the background. Legend reads: THE RAIL SPLITTER OF THE WEST.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1074
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1074

Washington and Jefferson Medal

This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 1860s. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 1860s. 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 medals. This medal has a hole in the top so that it could be worn. The medal bears the name “Bolen” referring to J.A. Bolden, a die caster from Springfield, Massachusetts.
Obverse: Bust image of George Washington facing right. Legend reads: Washington.
Reverse: Bust of Thomas Jefferson facing right. Legend reads: Jefferson.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Washington, George
Jefferson, Thomas
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1121
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1121

Calvin Coolidge Medal

This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1923. 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 1923. 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 Calvin Coolidge facing right. The legend reads: CALVIN COOLIDGE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1923
depicted
Coolidge, Calvin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1656
catalog number
1981.0296.1656
accession number
1981.0296

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and 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, 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.
The badge features a tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant set into a brass frame, which would have originally been attached to a pin and displayed on clothing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1069
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1069

Mitad Token

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1874. 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 token around 1874. 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 hand holding a flaming torch. The legend reads: SANTANDER.
Reverse: Image of a six-pointed star. The legend reads: MITAD 1874.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1874
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1505
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1505

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

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.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant labeled GEN. U.S. GRANT.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1133
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1133

Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Campaign Medal

This 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 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 like campaign medals. This medal has a quote issued by Grant during the Overland Campaign of the Civil War.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing forward, the legend reads: GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
Reverse: Legend reads: I PROPOSE TO FIGHT IT OUT ON THIS LINE IF IT TAKES ALL SUMMER.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1084
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1084

World's Columbian Exposition Commemorative Medal

This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1893. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1893. 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 commemorative medals.
Obverse: Image of John Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence signing on the upper half, an eagle perched on a shield flanked by busts of Columbus and George Washington on the lower half. The legend reads: SIGNING OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE/ JULY 4th 1776/ WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION/ 1892 1893/ COLUMBUS/ WASHINGTON/ CHICAGO
Reverse: Image of Columbus discovering America and planting a cross on the upper half of the coin, and an image of the Pilgrims landing on the bottom half. The legend reads: DISCOVERY OF AMERICA/ OCTOBER 1493/ DEC 1620/ LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1893
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1607
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1607

James Buchanan Commemorative Token

This 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 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 commemorative tokens.
Obverse: Bust of James Buchanan facing right. Legend: 15th President, U.S.A./1857-1861/JAMES BUCHANAN.
Reverse: "OLD BUCK"/ PRIVATE IN WAR OF 1812/ CONGRESSMAN/ UNITED STATES SENATOR/ SECRETARY OF STATE/MINISTER TO ENGLAND/ TRIED TO AVERT CIVIL WAR BUT BELIEVED IN STATE RIGHTS/ "OLD PUBLIC FUNCTIONARY."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
depicted
Buchanan, James
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1658
catalog number
1981.0296.1658
accession number
1981.0296

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Badge

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 at the top of the frame to allow for the badge to be strung and worn.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Abraham Lincoln set into a brass oval frame. The photo is labeled: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1182
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1182

Puerto Rican Token

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around the late 19th–century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around the late 19th–century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
Obverse: The legend reads: QUINCALLA Y FERRETERIA/PONCE
Reverse: The legend reads: TRUJILLO Y SUBINA/ 10/ EL COMETA
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1662
catalog number
1981.0296.1662
accession number
1981.0296

Lamb of God Button

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this button around the middle of the 19th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this button around the middle of the 19th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
The button has an image of a haloed lamb with cross and banner.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1557
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1557

Germania Club Token

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the late 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 token during the late 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: Space for an engraving in the center. The legend reads: GERMANIA CLUB/Cts./BRENHAM
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1487
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1487

Taft and Sherman Presidential Luggage Tag

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1908. 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 1908. 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 luggage tag with the inscription: TAFT/1908/SHERMAN. William Taft and James Sherman were elected President and Vice President in 1908.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1908
referenced
Taft, William H.
Sherman, James Schoolcraft
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1592
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1592

Union Shield Badge

This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. 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 profile bust of a man in a uniform (likely George B. McClellan) facing left, and the rim of the shield is lined with 34 stars. Above the head of the man the legend reads: Union.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1098
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1098

Schuyler Colfax Campaign Medal

This 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 that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This 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 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 Schulyer Colfax facing right. The legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868.
.
Location
Currently not on view
date on object
1863
depicted
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1197
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1197

Santiago De Maria Token

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1878. 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 token around 1878. 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. This token has a hole at the top so it could be worn.
Obverse: The legend reads: FINCA SAN FRANCISCO/SANTIAGO DE MARIA/1878.
Location
Currently not on view
date on object
1878
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1502
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1502

La Union Token

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the late 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 token during the late 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: LA UNION.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1508
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1508

Franklin Roosevelt Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1932.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 1932.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: Profiles of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner, with the legend: A NEW DAY A NEW DEAL/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT/JOHN N. GARNER.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1932
depicted
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Garner, John N.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1314
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1314

Amusement Token

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the late 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 token during the late 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 transportation tokens.
Obverse: The legend reads: NO VALUE CHECK/FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1565
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1565

United Electric Railways Fare Token

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 center of the token is punched out in the shape of a star and filled with different colored metal.
Obverse: The legend reads: UNITED ELECTRIC RAILWAYS CO.
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ A. E. Potter./ PRES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
United Electric Railways Co.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1457
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1457

Connecticut Railway and Lighting Fare Token

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 triangle punched out of the center.
Obverse: The legend reads: C.R.& L. Lines
Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
referenced
Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1351
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1351

George McClellan Token

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this 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 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: Bust of George McClellan facing left. The legend reads: MAJ. GEN. G. B. McCLELLAN, PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
McClellan, George B.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1541
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1541

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.