Natural Resources

Lithograph of

The natural resources collections offer centuries of evidence about how Americans have used the bounty of the American continent and coastal waters. Artifacts related to flood control, dam construction, and irrigation illustrate the nation's attempts to manage the natural world. Oil-drilling, iron-mining, and steel-making artifacts show the connection between natural resources and industrial strength.

Forestry is represented by saws, axes, a smokejumper's suit, and many other objects. Hooks, nets, and other gear from New England fisheries of the late 1800s are among the fishing artifacts, as well as more recent acquisitions from the Pacific Northwest and Chesapeake Bay. Whaling artifacts include harpoons, lances, scrimshaw etchings in whalebone, and several paintings of a whaler's work at sea. The modern environmental movement has contributed buttons and other protest artifacts on issues from scenic rivers to biodiversity.

Miner’s Safety Lamp

The Portable Lamp & Equipment Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania manufactured this lamp designed by the Koehler Manufacturing Company of Marlboro, Massachusetts during the 20th century. The lamp is marked “Permissible” meaning that it was approved for use by the U.S.
Description (Brief)
The Portable Lamp & Equipment Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania manufactured this lamp designed by the Koehler Manufacturing Company of Marlboro, Massachusetts during the 20th century. The lamp is marked “Permissible” meaning that it was approved for use by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines. This lamp employs glass enclosure to protect the flame from extinguishing, wire gauze in the top-interior to keep the flame from escaping, and a metal bonnet exterior that serves both purposes.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-002675
catalog number
MHI-MT-002675
accession number
115677

Oil-Wick Mining Lamp

This oil-wick lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick 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 lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick 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 has a handle, meaning it was carried rather than worn. The screw top has a chain connected to the handle to prevent it from being lost.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9774B
accession number
304880
catalog number
MHI-MN-9774B

Miner’s Safety Lamp Patent Model

This safety lamp is a patent model constructed by Nicolas Louis Beaufils and Jacques Rexroth of Paris, France that received patent number 95,184 on September 28, 1869.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp is a patent model constructed by Nicolas Louis Beaufils and Jacques Rexroth of Paris, France that received patent number 95,184 on September 28, 1869. The inventors claim in the patent filing that whenever an operation is to be performed on the lamp such as filling fuel, trimming the wick, or any action that would expose the flame to the air, the lamp will be forcibly extinguished.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9739
catalog number
MHI-MN-9739
accession number
88881
patent number
095184

Truman Gravity Meter No. 1

Gravimeters (gravity meters) are extremely precise instruments that measure the earth’s gravity at a specific location.
Description
Gravimeters (gravity meters) are extremely precise instruments that measure the earth’s gravity at a specific location. Gravimeters are often used by prospectors to locate subterranean deposits of valuable natural resources (mainly petroleum) as well as by geodesists to study the shape of the earth and its gravitational field. Differences in topography, latitude, or elevation—as well as differences in subterranean density—all affect the force of gravity. Commonly, gravimeters are composed of a weight hanging on a zero-length spring inside a metal housing to negate the influence of temperature and wind. Gravity is then measured by how much the weight stretches the spring.
Because gravitational anomalies are often associated with petroleum deposits, geologists measure the force of gravity in areas where they suspect oil might be found. The gravimeters that came into use for this purpose in the 1930s were more rugged and easier to manage than the gravity pendulums and torsion balances that had used since the early years of the 20th century. This gravimeter, which reads to one part in ten million, was the first gravimeter that was sufficiently accurate and dependable for oil exploration. It was designed by Orley Hosmer Truman, built by the Humble Oil and Refining Co., and put into use in 1931. Humble donated it to the Smithsonian in 1960.
Ref: Notes prepared by D. H. Gardner, August 19, 1959, in NMAH accession file.
O. H. Truman, "Notes on the Truman Gravity Meter No. 1" (Feb. 26, 1962), and letter to P. W. Bishop, Jan. 10, 1963, in NMAH curatorial file.
L. L. Nettleton, Geophysical Prospecting for Oil (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1940),p. 32.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1931
maker
Humble Oil and Refining Co.
ID Number
AG.MHI-P-7682
catalog number
MHI-P-7682
accession number
230370

Miner’s Carbide Lamp

This 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 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. The lamp would then be worn on a miner’s cap, with the reflector granting a much strong light than previous lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8788C
catalog number
MHI-MN-8788C
accession number
265669

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

Engraved printing plate "Pleiodus strigirostris"

This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Pleiodus strigirostris" (now Didunculus strigirostris - Tooth-billed Pigeon or Samoan Pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalo
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Pleiodus strigirostris" (now Didunculus strigirostris - Tooth-billed Pigeon or Samoan Pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 34, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by W. H. Dougal after T. R. Peale.
Description
William H. Dougal (1822–1895) of New York and Washington, D.C., (after 1844) engraved this copper printing plate after a drawing by Expedition Naturalist Titian Ramsey Peale. The image depicts the Pleiodus strigirostris (now Didunculus strigirostris, Tooth billed pigeon or Samoan Pigeon). The engraved illustration was published as Plate 34 in Volume VIII, Mammalogy and Ornithology, by John Cassin, 1858.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.414
catalog number
1999.0145.414
accession number
1999.0145

Worden Gravimeter

Gravimeters (gravity meters) are extremely precise instruments that measure the earth’s gravity at a specific location.
Description
Gravimeters (gravity meters) are extremely precise instruments that measure the earth’s gravity at a specific location. Gravimeters are often used by prospectors to locate subterranean deposits of valuable natural resources (mainly petroleum) as well as by geodesists to study the shape of the earth and its gravitational field. Differences in topography, latitude, or elevation—as well as differences in subterranean density—all affect the force of gravity. Commonly, gravimeters are composed of a weight hanging on a zero-length spring inside a metal housing to negate the influence of temperature and wind. Gravity is then measured by how much the weight stretches the spring.
This is a display model of the original Worden gravimeter. Its central element, made of fused quartz, is an exact copy of the original, enlarged 5 times. The case and dials are slightly smaller. Worden Quartz Products, Inc., a Division of Ruska Instrument Corp., donated this instrument to the Smithsonian in 1967.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-P-9437
catalog number
MHI-P-9437
accession number
272383

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

Miner's Safety Lamp

This lamp was manufactured by J.W. Queen and Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This lamp was manufactured by J.W. Queen and Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the latter half of the 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, which would happen with the open flames in oil-wick cap lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9795
catalog number
MHI-MN-9795
accession number
023416

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 Helmet

This miner’s cap is similar in design to the Flexo Band Cool Cap, but any identifying label is now missing. The cap is made of reinforced leather with a dome comprised of upstanding ribs that allowed for both protection and ventilation.
Description (Brief)
This miner’s cap is similar in design to the Flexo Band Cool Cap, but any identifying label is now missing. The cap is made of reinforced leather with a dome comprised of upstanding ribs that allowed for both protection and ventilation. A leather and metal lamp bracket is attached to the front of the cap. The bracket could have held an oil-wick lamp or a carbide lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9641B
catalog number
MHI-MN-9641B
accession number
288159

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

Scrimshaw Panbone

This panbone, or section of the back of a sperm whale’s jaw, served as the canvas for a whaleman’s freehand drawing of a busy whale hunt off the coast of the volcanic island of Ternate, one of the Spice Islands in Indonesia and the world’s main source of cloves until the 18th cen
Description
This panbone, or section of the back of a sperm whale’s jaw, served as the canvas for a whaleman’s freehand drawing of a busy whale hunt off the coast of the volcanic island of Ternate, one of the Spice Islands in Indonesia and the world’s main source of cloves until the 18th century.
In the lower left, a woman reaches out for her whaleman, who symbolically stands across the sea with one hand over his heart and a harpoon in the other. In her background is a tranquil domestic scene, probably their home. In the center, a fenced precinct labels the main scene. Above, on the right are the named whalers Margaret of London and Sophia of Nantucket. The remainder of the lively scene portrays seven whaleboats chasing a pod of six whales.
The artist has managed to convey loneliness between loved ones, great distance from home, an exotic and remote tropical locale, and a busy whale hunt on a single stretch of whalebone.
Date made
mid 19th Century
depicted
late 18th century
ID Number
DL.057605A
catalog number
57605A
accession number
2009.0206

Mosquitoes Preserved in Plastic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.A.7568
catalog number
A.7568
accession number
198812

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

Red Anemone Preserved in Plastic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1946
ID Number
AG.A.7554
accession number
198812
catalog number
A.7554

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

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