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.

Place: District of Columbia

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 a" Mai'-du girl, with ornaments"

This engraved woodblock of a “Mai’-du girl with ornaments” was engraved by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887); the print was published in 1877 by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Mai’-du girl with ornaments” was engraved by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887); the print was published in 1877 by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. as Figure 26 (p.304) in “Tribes of California” by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) for Contributions to North American Ethnology v.3. Contributions was published by the U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey, which was 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
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
author
Powers, Stephen
ID Number
1980.0219.0382
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0382

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 "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 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 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 "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 a "Tobacco Pipe"

This engraved woodblock of a “Tobacco Pipe” was engraved, printed, and published in 1877 by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Tobacco Pipe” was engraved, printed, and published in 1877 by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. as part of Figure 43 (p.426) in “Tribes of California” by Stephen Powers (1840-1904), an article in the 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
maker
Chase, A. W.
author
Powers, Stephen
ID Number
1980.0219.0876
catalog number
1980.0219.0876
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

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

Electroytpe of a "Carrying-basket in usual position"

This electrotype of “Carrying-basket in usual position” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 15 (p.37) in an article by David I. Bushnell, Jr. (1875-1941) entitled “The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb St.
Description
This electrotype of “Carrying-basket in usual position” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 15 (p.37) in an article by David I. Bushnell, Jr. (1875-1941) entitled “The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana” in the 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
2000.0207.089
catalog number
2000.0207.089
accession number
2000.0207

Liter Block Model, Moving with Metric

When folded, this flat paper object becomes a cube 10 centimeters on a side, and hence has a volume of 1000 cubic centimeters or one liter. The sides discuss units of volume, length, mass and temperature in the metric system in the context of driving on a highway.
Description
When folded, this flat paper object becomes a cube 10 centimeters on a side, and hence has a volume of 1000 cubic centimeters or one liter. The sides discuss units of volume, length, mass and temperature in the metric system in the context of driving on a highway. Text on the object reads: Moving With Metric. Additional text reads: U.S. Department of Transportation (/) Federal Highway Administration.
This is Federal Highway Administration publication FHWA-SA-94-018, reportedly published in 1997.
Reference:
This publication is listed in the Open Library at https://openlibrary.org/books/OL17572757M/Moving_with_metric.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1997
maker
Federal Highway Administration
ID Number
2001.3009.04
catalog number
2001.3009.04
nonaccession number
2001.3009

Electrotype of "Feathers"

This electrotype of “Feathers” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 81 (p.176) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J.
Description
This electrotype of “Feathers” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 81 (p.176) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J. Guernsey (1868-1936) entitled “Archeological Explorations in Northeastern Arizona” in Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 61, (1919).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Kidder, Alfred Vincent
Guernsey, Samuel J.
ID Number
2000.0207.122
catalog number
2000.0207.122
accession number
2000.0207

Electrotype of "Ruins in Northeastern Arizona"

This electrotype of ruins in Northeastern Arizona was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 14 (p.48) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J.
Description
This electrotype of ruins in Northeastern Arizona was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 14 (p.48) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J. Guernsey (1868-1936) entitled “Archeological Explorations in Northeastern Arizona” in Bureau of American Ethnology,Bulletin 61, (1919).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Kidder, Alfred Vincent
Guernsey, Samuel J.
ID Number
2000.0207.130
catalog number
2000.0207.130
accession number
2000.0207

Electrotype of "Incidents in the life of Jaw (drawing by himself)"

This electrotype of “Incidents in the life of Jaw (drawing by himself)” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 63 (p.392) in an article by David I. Bushnell, Jr.
Description
This electrotype of “Incidents in the life of Jaw (drawing by himself)” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 63 (p.392) in an article by David I. Bushnell, Jr. (1875-1941) entitled Frances Densmore (1867-1957) entitled “Teton Sioux Music” in Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 61, (1918).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Densmore, Frances
ID Number
2000.0207.104
catalog number
2000.0207.104
accession number
2000.0207

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

Electrotype of “Corn from basket maker caves"

This electrotype of “Corn from basket maker caves” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 65 (p.152) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J.
Description
This electrotype of “Corn from basket maker caves” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate 65 (p.152) in an article by Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963) and Samuel J. Guernsey (1868-1936) entitled “Archeological Explorations in Northeastern Arizona” in Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 61, (1919).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Kidder, Alfred Vincent
Guernsey, Samuel J.
ID Number
2000.0207.124
catalog number
2000.0207.124
accession number
2000.0207

Metric Conversion Card

In the 1970s, after metric units of measure had been adopted in Canada and Great Britain, some people in the United States advocated adoption of the metric system. The National Bureau of Standards of the U. S.
Description
In the 1970s, after metric units of measure had been adopted in Canada and Great Britain, some people in the United States advocated adoption of the metric system. The National Bureau of Standards of the U. S. Department of Commerce prepared this white plastic reference card to assist those wishing to use the unfamiliar units of measure. One side gave approximate conversion factors for computing metric measures from customary measures of length, area, mass and volume. This side also has a scale eight centimeters long divided to millimeters, and a chart with temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit along the top and temperatures in degrees centigrade along the bottom.
The other side of the card gives factors for converting from metric to common measures of length, area, mass, volume, and temperature. There also is a scale three inches long divided to 1/16th of an inch.
The card was a gift of machinist George A. Norton, a longtime employee of the National Museum of American History.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972
maker
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards
ID Number
1990.3231.02
catalog number
1990.3231.02
nonaccession number
1990.3231

NMAH Web Site Documentation Binder

This white loose-leaf binder contains information about the design, configuration and installation of the files and servers needed to power the redesigned National Museum of American History website (americanhistory.si.edu).
Description
This white loose-leaf binder contains information about the design, configuration and installation of the files and servers needed to power the redesigned National Museum of American History website (americanhistory.si.edu). Included is information on how the page appearance was constructed using ColdFusion custom tags and an example of how each page would look. In addition to 185 pages of text, it includes 2 cd-rom disks entitled "Web Site Phase I Final File Set".
The NMAH website was created by Mediatrope Interactive Studio of San Francisco, CA.
The entire Smithsonian website is preserved by the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2005
2005-04
ID Number
2017.3148.01
nonaccession number
2017.3148
catalog number
2017.3148.01

Data Preparation Worksheet

These blank worksheets have “DATA PREPARATION WORKSHEET / SI-ISD-1199 / Rev. 2-68” printed in the upper left corner and “GPO 889-118” printed in the lower right corner. There are header lines for recording Program, Description of Data, Prepared By and Date.
Description
These blank worksheets have “DATA PREPARATION WORKSHEET / SI-ISD-1199 / Rev. 2-68” printed in the upper left corner and “GPO 889-118” printed in the lower right corner. There are header lines for recording Program, Description of Data, Prepared By and Date. The footer has space for recording the page numbers. Each sheet has 30 lines and 80 columns.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1968
maker
National Museum of History & Technology
ID Number
2017.3104.02
nonaccession number
2017.3104
catalog number
2017.3104.02

Universal Magnetometer with Dip Circle

Universal magnetometer marked "D.T.M. C.I.W.
Description
Universal magnetometer marked "D.T.M. C.I.W. N° 19." Designed and built by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington in 1912, it incorporates an astronomical telescope and magnetometer for the determination of magnetic declination and horizontal intensity, and a dip circle with a Lloyd-Creak attachment for the determination of inclination and intensity. It is relatively light and easy to manipulate. It was used for a few years and then set aside when the universal magnetometer with earth inductor came into use.
This magnetometer was probably transferred to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey after the Carnegie Institution closed its geomagnetic program. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired it in 1973, when it took over the geomagnetic program of the federal government, and transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
Ref: J. A. Fleming, "Two New Types of Magnetometers Made by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington," Terrestrial Magnetism 16 (1911): 1-12.
Carnegie Institution of Washington, Land Magnetic Observations, 1911-1913 (Washington, D.C., 1915), pp. 7-8.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1912
maker
Carnegie Institution of Washington. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
ID Number
1982.0671.03
accession number
1982.0671
catalog number
1982.0671.03

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