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 of a Typecasting Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typecasting machine which was granted patent number 111111. The machine cast printers' type, broke off the type jets, and dressed the type.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typecasting machine which was granted patent number 111111. The machine cast printers' type, broke off the type jets, and dressed the type.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1871
patent date
1871-01-24
maker
Dunn, William Wallace
ID Number
GA.89797.111111
patent number
111111
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.111111

Patent Model of Pulsating Stencil Pencils

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a piston-driven stencil-cutting pen which was granted patent number 216086. The piston was driven by a bellows powered in turn by a machine wheel.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a piston-driven stencil-cutting pen which was granted patent number 216086. The piston was driven by a bellows powered in turn by a machine wheel. Josiah Gunning (1840-1910) graduated from medical school and spent the Civil War as a surgeon in the U.S. Navy. After his wife's death in 1869, he entered seminary and was ordained. His invention of a pulsating pen was considered remarkable enough to win him a bronze medal from the American Institute.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
patent date
1879-06-03
maker
Gunning, Josiah H.
Weiland, Harry B.
ID Number
GA.89797.216086
patent number
216086
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.216086

Patent Model of a Machine for Rounding and Backing Books

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for rounding and backing books as two successive and automatic operations; the invention was granted patent number 161089.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for rounding and backing books as two successive and automatic operations; the invention was granted patent number 161089.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
patent date
1875-03-23
maker
Bailey, George L.
ID Number
GA.89797.161089
patent number
161089
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.161089

Metal Hardware

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.3324
catalog number
314686.3324
accession number
314686

Ornate Metal Miniature Pail

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.1142
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.1142

Ornate Metal Fastener

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.1092
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.1092

Tall Case Clock

The earliest domestic clocks in the American colonies were English-made "lantern" clocks, with brass gear trains held between pillars.
Description
The earliest domestic clocks in the American colonies were English-made "lantern" clocks, with brass gear trains held between pillars. Along with fully furnished "best" beds, looking glasses, sofas, silver, and case furniture, such clocks were the household objects consistently assigned the highest monetary value in inventories of possessions.
By the 18th century, the most common style of domestic clock came to look more like a piece of household furniture. A wooden case enclosed the movement, weights, and pendulum. Through a glass window the dial was visible.
In 1769, Pennsylvania clockmaker and millwright Joseph Ellicott completed this complicated tall case clock. On three separate dials, it tells the time and shows the phases of the moon; depicts on an orrery the motions of the sun, moon, and planets; and plays selected twenty-four musical tunes on the hour.
The musical dial on the Ellicott clock allows the listener to choose from twelve pairs of tunes. Each pair includes a short tune and a long one. On the hour only the short tune plays, but every third hour, both play. During a tune, automaton figures at the top of the dial appear to tap their feet in time to the music, and a small dog between them jumps up and down.
Joseph Ellicott moved from the Philadelphia area to Maryland in 1772 and, with his brothers Andrew and John, set up a flour-milling operation in what is now Ellicott City. The clock was a centerpiece in Ellicott family homes for generations.
Who else owned clocks in early America? Clock owners, like the American colonists themselves, were not a homogeneous group. Where a person lived influenced the probability of owning a timepiece. In 1774, for example, New Englanders and Middle Atlantic colonials were equally likely to own a timepiece. In those regions, roughly 13 or 14 adults out of 100 had a clock in their possessions when they died. Among Southern colonists at that time, only about 6 in 100 had a clock.
Date made
1769
user
Ellicott, Joseph
maker
Ellicott, Joseph
ID Number
1999.0276.01
accession number
1999.0276
catalog number
1999.0276.01

Ornate Metal Fastener

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.1111
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.1111

Metal Hardware

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.3263
catalog number
314686.3263
accession number
314686

Patent model for miscellaneous parts

This patent model demonstrates an invention for miscellaneous parts. Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for miscellaneous parts. Maker, patent number, and date are unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
maker
unknown
ID Number
1997.0198.22
catalog number
1997.0198.22
accession number
1997.0198

Patent Model of a Sheet Perfecting Flatbed Cylinder Press

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet perfecting flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 103894. The invention had two vertical type beds, one at each end of the press.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet perfecting flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 103894. The invention had two vertical type beds, one at each end of the press. A sheet of paper was fed to the first cylinder and printed at the first type form traveling upwards. Next the sheet was passed to the second cylinder and printed on the other side at the other form traveling downwards. Finally, it was deposited under the press.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
patent date
1870-06-07
maker
Kerr, William A.
ID Number
GA.89797.103894
accession number
89797
patent number
103894
catalog number
GA*89797.103894

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4621
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4621

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4627
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4627

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4619
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4619

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4623
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4623

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4617
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4617

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4624
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4624

Metal Bangle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.4622
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.4622

Patent Model of a Rotary Printing Press

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary printing press; it was granted patent number 9987. The press had several impression cylinders and inking stations arranged around a large type cylinder.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary printing press; it was granted patent number 9987. The press had several impression cylinders and inking stations arranged around a large type cylinder. A web of paper was moistened and folded concertina-fashion for feeding. It was printed at the first series of impression cylinders and refolded. Then it was turned, and printed on the other side at the next series. Finally, it was cut into sheets. According to Stephen D. Tucker’s History of R. Hoe & Company, this patent was bought by R. Hoe & Co., probably more to keep it out of the market than with a mind to its development.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1853
patent date
1853-09-06
patentee
Beaumont, Victor
ID Number
GA.89797.009987
patent number
009987
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.009987

Round Plastic Hardware

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.2070
catalog number
314686.2070
accession number
314686

Blank Metal Shield Token

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.1314
accession number
314686
catalog number
314686.1314

Stamped Hardware with Medallion

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.2115
catalog number
314686.2115
accession number
314686

Patent model for printers' quoins

This patent model demonstrates an invention for printers' quoins including locking bars which secured the type within the chase, and the chase on the bed of the press, without the use of wooden furniture to pack spaces.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for printers' quoins including locking bars which secured the type within the chase, and the chase on the bed of the press, without the use of wooden furniture to pack spaces. One end of the bar was oblique and included a toothed pinion. A short toothed piece with a matching taper fit across the end of the bar to lock against the chase or bed wall, and was tightened by turning the toothed pinion. The invention was granted patent number 212683.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
ca 1878
patent date
1879-02-25
patentee
Gillin, Robert F.
ID Number
GA.89797.212683
patent number
212683
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.212683

Metal Hardware

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
maker
Waterbury Button Company
ID Number
MC.314686.3350
catalog number
314686.3350
accession number
314686

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