Science & Mathematics

Chemical Balance

The Museum's collections hold thousands of objects related to chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and other sciences. Instruments range from early American telescopes to lasers. Rare glassware and other artifacts from the laboratory of Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, are among the scientific treasures here. A Gilbert chemistry set of about 1937 and other objects testify to the pleasures of amateur science. Artifacts also help illuminate the social and political history of biology and the roles of women and minorities in science.

The mathematics collection holds artifacts from slide rules and flash cards to code-breaking equipment. More than 1,000 models demonstrate some of the problems and principles of mathematics, and 80 abstract paintings by illustrator and cartoonist Crockett Johnson show his visual interpretations of mathematical theorems.

Culture: Native Americans

Engraved woodblock of "Bringing down the batten"

This engraved woodblock of “Bringing down the batten” was prepared, after a photograph, by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XXXVIII (p.390) in an article by Dr.
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Bringing down the batten” was prepared, after a photograph, by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XXXVIII (p.390) in an article by Dr. Washington Matthews (1843-1905) entitled “Navajo Weavers” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Matthews, Washington
Powell, John Wesley
block maker
A. P. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1365
catalog number
1980.0219.1365
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of "Weaving diamond-shaped diagonals"

This engraved woodblock of “Weaving diamond-shaped diagonals” was prepared, after a photograph, by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XXXV (p.380) in an article by Dr.
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Weaving diamond-shaped diagonals” was prepared, after a photograph, by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XXXV (p.380) in an article by Dr. Washington Matthews (1843-1905) entitled “Navajo Weavers” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Matthews, Washington
block maker
W. T. & B.
ID Number
1980.0219.1359
catalog number
1980.0219.1359
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a "Bottle with geometric figures"

This engraved woodblock of a “Bottle with geometric figures” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 166 (p.116) in an article by William Henry Holmes (1846-1933) entitled “Ancient Art of the Province of Chiriqui, Colo
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Bottle with geometric figures” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 166 (p.116) in an article by William Henry Holmes (1846-1933) entitled “Ancient Art of the Province of Chiriqui, Colombia” in the Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian,1884-85.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1888
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
graphic artist
Government Printing Office
author
Holmes, William Henry
ID Number
1980.0219.1061
catalog number
1980.0219.1061
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of the "Arikara sign for lie or falsehood"

This engraved woodblock of an “Arikara sign for a lie or falsehood” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1881 as Figure 233 (p.
Description
This engraved woodblock of an “Arikara sign for a lie or falsehood” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1881 as Figure 233 (p. 393) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Sign Language Among the North American Indians” in the First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1879-80.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Mallery, Garrick
block maker
V. W. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.0340
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0340

Engraved woodblock of a "Basket with pendants"

This engraved woodblock of “Basket with pendants” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C; the print was published as Figure 313 (p.213) in an article by William H.
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Basket with pendants” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C; the print was published as Figure 313 (p.213) in an article by William H. Holmes (1846-1933) entitled “A Study of the Textile Art in its Relation to the Development of Form and Ornament” in the Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian,1884-85.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1888
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Holmes, William Henry
ID Number
1980.0219.0504
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0504

Engraved woodblock of a "Navajo blanket"

This engraved woodblock of a "Navajo blanket" was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 53 (p.387) in an article by Dr.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a "Navajo blanket" was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 53 (p.387) in an article by Dr. Washington Matthews (1843-1905) entitled “Navajo Weavers” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
block maker
W. T. & B.
author
Matthews, Washington
ID Number
1980.0219.1180
catalog number
1980.0219.1180
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a "House-burial"

This engraved woodblock of a “House-burial” was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887); the print was published by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. in 1881 as Figure 27 (p. 175) in an article by Dr. H. C.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “House-burial” was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887); the print was published by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. in 1881 as Figure 27 (p. 175) in an article by Dr. H. C. Yarrow (1840-1929) entitled “Mortuary Customs of the North American Indians” in the First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1879-80.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
author
Yarrow, Harry Crecy
ID Number
1980.0219.0084
catalog number
1980.0219.0084
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of hilltop pueblos

This engraved woodblock of hilltop pueblos was engraved and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.Currently not on view
Description
This engraved woodblock of hilltop pueblos was engraved and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
block maker
A. P. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1813
catalog number
1980.0219.1813
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of "The Warrior and his Bride"

This engraved woodblock of “The Warrior and his Bride” was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 15 (p.44) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and I
Description
This engraved woodblock of “The Warrior and his Bride” was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 15 (p.44) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries. Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by John Wesley Powell (1834-1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Powell, John Wesley
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
ID Number
1980.0219.0465
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0465

Engraved woodblock of "Captain John, a Ni'-shi-nam chief"

This engraved woodblock of “Captain John, a Ni’-shi-nam chief” was prepared by engraver Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 27 (p.314) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitl
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Captain John, a Ni’-shi-nam chief” was prepared by engraver Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 27 (p.314) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitled “Tribes of California” in Contributions to North American Ethnology v.3. Contributions was published by the U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey, a precursor to the Bureau of American Ethnology under the direction of John Wesley Powell (1834-1902). D. H. Bartle created the original image.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
author
Powers, Stephen
original artist
Bartle, D. H.
ID Number
1980.0219.0350
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0350

Engraved woodblock of three individuals, two on horses and one standing

This engraved woodblock of three American Indians, two on horseback and one standing, was engraved by F. S. King and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.Currently not on view
Description
This engraved woodblock of three American Indians, two on horseback and one standing, was engraved by F. S. King and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
block maker
V. W. & Co.
graphic artist
King, Francis Scott
ID Number
1980.0219.1242
catalog number
1980.0219.1242
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of an "Iroquois mask"

This engraved woodblock of an "Iroquois Mask" was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published as Plate XXII.49 (p.
Description
This engraved woodblock of an "Iroquois Mask" was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published as Plate XXII.49 (p. 189) in an article by William Healey Dall (1845-1927) entitled “On Masks, Labrets, and Certain Aboriginal Customs with an Inquiry into the Bearing of Their Geographical Distribution” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82. According to the annual report, the mask was “used by the order of ‘Falsefaces’.” Lewis Henry Morgan (1818-1881) was the original artist.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Dall, William H.
original artist
Morgan, L. H.
block maker
A. P. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.0437
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0437

Engraved woodblock of a "Basket with pendant buckskin"

This engraved woodblock of a “Basket with pendant buckskin” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 312 (p.213) in an article by William H.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Basket with pendant buckskin” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 312 (p.213) in an article by William H. Holmes (1846-1933) entitled “A Study of the Textile Art in its Relation to the Development of Form and Ornament” in the Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1884-85.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1888
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Holmes, William Henry
ID Number
1980.0219.0850
catalog number
1980.0219.0850
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of an "Eskimo child's clothing"

This engraved woodblock of “Eskimo child’s clothing” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 512 (p.557) in an article by Franz Boas (1858-1942) entitled “The Central Eskimo” in the Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Eskimo child’s clothing” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 512 (p.557) in an article by Franz Boas (1858-1942) entitled “The Central Eskimo” in the Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian,1884-85.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1888
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Boas, Franz
ID Number
1980.0219.0477
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0477

Electrotype of "Hu'petha"

This electrotype of “Hu’petha” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 28 (p.163) in an article by Alice C.
Description
This electrotype of “Hu’petha” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 28 (p.163) in an article by Alice C. Fletcher (1838-1923) and Francis La Flesche (1857-1932) entitled “The Omaha Tribe” in the Twenty-Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1905-1906.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Flecher, Alice C.
LaFlesche, Francis
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
ID Number
2000.0207.066
catalog number
2000.0207.066
accession number
2000.0207

Engraved woodblock of a "Scalloped shell disk"

This engraved woodblock of a “Scalloped shell disk” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate LIV (p.274) in an article by William Henry Holmes (18461933) entitled “Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans” in the Second Ann
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Scalloped shell disk” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate LIV (p.274) in an article by William Henry Holmes (18461933) entitled “Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans” in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1880-81. The disk was found in Nashville, Tennessee by Major John Wesley Powell. In a footnote to his article, Holmes identifies “Kate C. Osgood” as an accompanying artist on this expedition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1883
author
Holmes, William Henry
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
ID Number
1980.0219.1274
catalog number
1980.0219.1274
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a "Woman pounding acorns"

This engraved woodblock of a “Woman pounding acorns” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 42 (p.420) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitled “Tribes of California” in Contributions to North Amer
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Woman pounding acorns” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 42 (p.420) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitled “Tribes of California” in Contributions to North American Ethnology v.3. Contributions was published by the U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey, a precursor to the Bureau of American Ethnology under the direction of John Wesley Powell (1834-1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Powers, Stephen
original artist
Chase, A. W.
ID Number
1980.0219.0288
catalog number
1980.0219.0288
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a "Cochiti water vessel"

This engraved woodblock of a “Cochiti water vessel” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published as Figure 637 (p.402) in “Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained from the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona in 1879” by James
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Cochiti water vessel” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published as Figure 637 (p.402) in “Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained from the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona in 1879” by James Stevenson (1840-1888), in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1880-81.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1883
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Stevenson, James
ID Number
1980.0219.0384
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0384

Engraved woodblock of hand signs for the letters 'S' through 'Y'

This engraved woodblock shows hand signs for the letters "S" through "Y." The illustration was used in a publication relating to the gesture-signs and signals of the North American Indians by Garrick Mallery; it was prepared and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washin
Description
This engraved woodblock shows hand signs for the letters "S" through "Y." The illustration was used in a publication relating to the gesture-signs and signals of the North American Indians by Garrick Mallery; it was prepared and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Mallery, Garrick
block maker
Grottenthaler, V.
ID Number
1980.0219.1368
catalog number
1980.0219.1368
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of the "Earliest map showing the location of the Cherokees, 1597"

This engraved woodblock of the “Earliest map showing [the] location of the Cherokees, 1597” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate VII (p.128) in an article by Charles Royce (1845-1923) entitled “The Cherokee Nation of
Description
This engraved woodblock of the “Earliest map showing [the] location of the Cherokees, 1597” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate VII (p.128) in an article by Charles Royce (1845-1923) entitled “The Cherokee Nation of Indians: a narrative of their official relations with the colonial and federal governments” in the Fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1883-84.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1887
publisher
Government Printing Office
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
U.S. Government Printing Office
author
Royce, Charles C.
block maker
J. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1531
catalog number
1980.0219.1531
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of an "Indian mask from the northwest coast of America"

This engraved woodblock of an “Indian mask from the northwest coast of America” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XIV.23 (p.173) in an article by William Healey Dall (1845-1927) entitled “On Masks, Labrets, and Ce
Description
This engraved woodblock of an “Indian mask from the northwest coast of America” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XIV.23 (p.173) in an article by William Healey Dall (1845-1927) entitled “On Masks, Labrets, and Certain Aboriginal Customs with an Inquiry into the Bearing of Their Geographical Distribution” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82. According to the annual report, the image shows a “dancing mask used by the Indians of Cape Flattery, Washington Territory” and was originally drawn by J.G. Swan (1818-1900).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Dall, William H.
original artist
Swan, J. G.
ID Number
1980.0219.1011
catalog number
1980.0219.1011
accession number
1980.0219

Electrotype of "Toshkachito holds a Choctow blowgun in shooting position"

This electrotype of “Toshkachito holds a Choctow blowgun in shooting position” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 20 (p.37) in an article by David I. Bushnell, Jr.
Description
This electrotype of “Toshkachito holds a Choctow blowgun in shooting position” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 20 (p.37) in an article by David I. Bushnell, Jr. (1875-1941) entitled “The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana” in Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 48, (1909).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1909
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Bushnell, Jr., David I.
ID Number
2000.0207.091
catalog number
2000.0207.091
accession number
2000.0207

Engraved woodblock of an American Indian woman

This engraved woodblock of a portrait of an American Indian woman was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.Currently not on view
Description
This engraved woodblock of a portrait of an American Indian woman was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
ID Number
1980.0219.0528
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0528

Engraved woodblock of a" Wolpi horn rattle"

This engraved woodblock of a “Wolpi horn rattle” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 574 (p.397) in an article by James Stevenson (1840-1888) entitled “Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained from the Ind
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Wolpi horn rattle” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 574 (p.397) in an article by James Stevenson (1840-1888) entitled “Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained from the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona in 1879” in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1880-81.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1883
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
photographer
Hillers, John K.
author
Stevenson, James
ID Number
1980.0219.0918
catalog number
1980.0219.0918
accession number
1980.0219

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