Sports & Leisure

Tennis Racket

The nation's passion for sports is obvious every day—at NASCAR races, kiddie soccer matches, and countless other contests. From a handball used by Abraham Lincoln to Chris Evert's tennis racket to a baseball signed by Jackie Robinson, the roughly 6.000 objects in the Museum's sports collections bear witness to the vital place of sports in the nation's history. Paper sports objects in the collections, such as souvenir programs and baseball cards, number in the hundreds of thousands.

Leisure collections encompass a different range of objects, including camping vehicles and gear, video games, playing cards, sportswear, exercise equipment, and Currier and Ives prints of fishing, hunting, and horseracing. Some 4,000 toys dating from the colonial period to the present are a special strength of the collections.

Plate

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1923
date made
ca 1936
patent date
1923-06-12
date used
1936 to 1960s
maker
Beetleware Corporation
ID Number
1984.0331.01
accession number
1984.0331
catalog number
1984.0331.01

Don Garlits Top-fuel Dragster Swamp Rat XXX

Swamp Rat XXX is a drag racing car of the top-fuel class, designed, built and raced by Don Garlits of Ocala, Florida. Garlits, better known as "Big Daddy," is one of the pioneers of drag racing, which is a test of acceleration on quarter-mile tracks.
Description
Swamp Rat XXX is a drag racing car of the top-fuel class, designed, built and raced by Don Garlits of Ocala, Florida. Garlits, better known as "Big Daddy," is one of the pioneers of drag racing, which is a test of acceleration on quarter-mile tracks. He began racing in 1950 in modified stock cars at Zephyr Hills, Fla., not far from his home in Tampa, shifting to drag racing in 1959. Over a 30-year career, he was one of the most innovative builders in the sport.
Swamp Rat XXX won the National Hot Rod Association championship in 1986 with a quarter-mile speed of 272.55 miles an hour. It crashed at a race in Spokane, Washington, and, along with Garlits, retired from active competition.
The vehicle displays the state of drag racing art in the 1980s: a very long wheelbase, small front wheels to minimize aerodynamic drag, engine in the rear, and a wing for added aerodynamic down force. The engine placement puts most of the vehicle's weight on the rear or driving wheels and behind the driver for safety reasons in case of an engine blow-up.
The car is covered with emblems, chiefly of sponsoring corporations. It carries a Christian cross and the words "God is Love," reflecting Garlits' experience in 1959 when, after an accident, his system could not handle pain-killing drugs. In severe pain, he cried out, "Lord help me," and his pain ceased.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985-1986
user
Garlits, Donald G.
maker
Garlits, Donald G.
ID Number
1987.0889.01
catalog number
1987.0889.01
accession number
1987.0889

Duncan Tournament Yo-Yo

This wooden yo-yo was made by Duncan Toys Company during the 1930s-1940s. It is black with a printed gold label and black lettering. Duncan “Big G” Genuine yo-yos such as this were required for official Duncan contests in the early 1930s.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by Duncan Toys Company during the 1930s-1940s. It is black with a printed gold label and black lettering. Duncan “Big G” Genuine yo-yos such as this were required for official Duncan contests in the early 1930s.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930s-1940s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.13
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.13

Karate matches

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981-05-08
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.053
catalog number
2014.0112.053
accession number
2014.0112

Southern California; Washington State

All-American Glee Club. side 1: Fight Song/Washington My Washinggton/Tearing Along/All Hail to Washington State; side 2: Fight On/Trojan Marching Song/All Hail, Alma Mater (Victor 26687), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36).
Description
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Fight Song/Washington My Washinggton/Tearing Along/All Hail to Washington State; side 2: Fight On/Trojan Marching Song/All Hail, Alma Mater (Victor 26687), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.29
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
26687
catalog number
1988.0384.29
maker number
P 36

Bethesda Springhouse and Park

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
maker
Bennett, Henry Hamilton
ID Number
1977.1062.129
accession number
1977.1062
catalog number
1977.1062.129

1945 Cushman Motor Scooter

Founded in 1901 as a manufacturer of small internal-combustion engines for farm equipment and boats, the Cushman Motor Works added motor scooters to its product line in 1936.
Description
Founded in 1901 as a manufacturer of small internal-combustion engines for farm equipment and boats, the Cushman Motor Works added motor scooters to its product line in 1936. Filling a gap between bicycles and motorcycles, the Cushman scooter was popular among high school students, adults (as an economical "second car") and small businesses. Passenger and cargo models were available. Farmers, salesmen, housewives, and many other people ran errands, made deliveries, and enjoyed pleasure trips. In particular, the Cushman scooter provided expanded personal mobility for two generations of young people. Some states required a driver's license, and some did not require one.
Production of Cushman Airborne military scooters aided the Army during World War II. Consumer production resumed full-force after the war; by 1950 Cushman was manufacturing 10,000 motor scooters per year, and in that year the company introduced its popular Eagle model. Production peaked at about 15,000 scooters per year in the late 1950s. In the early 1960s, imported motor scooters began to erode the company's market share. Cushman stopped building motor scooters in 1965 and diversified into golf carts, utility carts, and other small motorized vehicles.
Thomas Bracco of Springfield, Illinois purchased this scooter in 1945 and rode it to high school, social activities, and the locomotive roundhouse of the Chicago and Illinois Midland Railroad, where he worked as a hostler. He rode the scooter several years and sporadically thereafter before donating it to the National Museum of American History.
date made
1945
maker
Cushman Motor Works
ID Number
2000.0235.01
accession number
2000.0235
catalog number
2000.0235.01

Duncan Imperial Yo-Yo

This plastic Duncan Imperial yo-yo was made in the early 1960s. It has a marbled design hot-stamped with a fleur-de-lis.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic Duncan Imperial yo-yo was made in the early 1960s. It has a marbled design hot-stamped with a fleur-de-lis.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.29
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.29

Duncan Tournament Yo-Yo

This dark-blue "little g" wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It has a gold stamped seal that reads “Genuine Tournament Yo-Yo, Reg. US Pat Off., Duncan Tops.”Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This dark-blue "little g" wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It has a gold stamped seal that reads “Genuine Tournament Yo-Yo, Reg. US Pat Off., Duncan Tops.”
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.12
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.12

Genuine Tournament Yo-Yo

This plastic yo-yo was manufactured by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is solid yellow with a hot-stamped golden seal reading “Genuine Tournament Yo-Yo, U.S.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was manufactured by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is solid yellow with a hot-stamped golden seal reading “Genuine Tournament Yo-Yo, U.S. Patent, Duncan Tops.” This was one of Duncan’s first attempts at making a standard plastic yo-yo after years of production in wood.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.30
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.30

YoYoJam Rick Wyatt Mega SpinFaktor Yo-Yo

This Mega SpinFaktor yo-yo was used in April of 2001 by Rick Wyatt to set a world "sleep" record of 13 minutes 5 seconds. The yo-yo, made expressly for Wyatt's record attempt, has ceramic ball bearings, a weighted ring, and an adjustable gap.
Description (Brief)
This Mega SpinFaktor yo-yo was used in April of 2001 by Rick Wyatt to set a world "sleep" record of 13 minutes 5 seconds. The yo-yo, made expressly for Wyatt's record attempt, has ceramic ball bearings, a weighted ring, and an adjustable gap. The goal of a sleeping trick is to keep the yo-yo spinning at the end of its line for an extended period of time.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2001
user
Wyatt, Rick
maker
YoYo Jam
ID Number
2003.0195.01
accession number
2003.0195

Duncan Rainbo Yo-Yo

This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1940s. It has plain red and yellow halves advertising Rainbo brand bread. Yo-Yos were often used as advertising tools throughout the 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1940s. It has plain red and yellow halves advertising Rainbo brand bread. Yo-Yos were often used as advertising tools throughout the 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1940s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.14
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.14

Alabama / Auburn; Kentucky / Tennessee

All-American Glee Club. side 1: Alabama's Day/Song of the Crimson Tide (track 1) Fight 'Em Tigers/Alma Mater (track 2); side 2: Kentucky! Fight, Fight, Fight/On, On U. of K. (track 1) Spirit of the Hill/Fight Vols, Fight!
Description
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Alabama's Day/Song of the Crimson Tide (track 1) Fight 'Em Tigers/Alma Mater (track 2); side 2: Kentucky! Fight, Fight, Fight/On, On U. of K. (track 1) Spirit of the Hill/Fight Vols, Fight! (track 2) (Victor 26682), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 3 - Southern (Victor P 34).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.23
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
26682
catalog number
1988.0384.23
maker number
P 34

Stanford; University of Washington

All-American Glee Club. side 1: Come, Join the Band/Sons of the Stanford Red/Hail, Stanford, Hail; side 2: Bow Down to Washington/Alma Mater (Victor 26685), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Come, Join the Band/Sons of the Stanford Red/Hail, Stanford, Hail; side 2: Bow Down to Washington/Alma Mater (Victor 26685), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.27
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
26685
catalog number
1988.0384.27
maker number
P 36

Goody Filipino Twirler

This wooden yo-yo was made by the Goody Manufacturing Company in the 1950s-1960s. Goody was a main competitor of the Duncan Toys Co.
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by the Goody Manufacturing Company in the 1950s-1960s. Goody was a main competitor of the Duncan Toys Co. who had trademarked term “yo-yo.” Instead, Goody called their products “Filipino Twirlers,” in reference to the toys' presumed Filipino origins.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s-1960s
maker
Goody
ID Number
2002.0246.16
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.16

Plate 50. The Halt, scene near Culpeper

Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
"Cigars and cognac, with these we bivouac," says the old song, but as Cognac was, in the army, a questionable fluid, to say the least of it, and scarce at that, the lounger in the grass wisely contented himself with the pleasures of the weed. His good war-steed, in condition highly creditable to the groom, patiently accepts the opportunity to rest, evidently affording an object of critical admiration to his master, whose orderly meanwhile keeps an eye about the vicinity. There is nothing particular in the picture to account for this little halt, but those who recognize the officer, may possibly give a shrewd guess at his reasons. He is the Quartermaster of the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, and has doubtless ridden forward to the position selected for camp, to examine its capabilities, and await the arrival of his wagon-train, in order to personally superintend the pitching of the tents, and the parking of the wagons.
To still further satisfy curiosity, it may be mentioned that the reclining officer is Captain Harry Page, since Colonel and Chief Quartermaster of the Cavalry Corps, one of the most arduous posts of duty in the service, and one whose necessities during the severe campaigns up the Shenandoah Valley, and in the vicinity of Richmond, kept the young Colonel always upon his mettle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864-05
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0334.50
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0334.50

Duncan Imperial Tenite Yo-Yo

This plastic yo-yo was made by Duncan Toys Company from the 1950s to early 1960s. Made of the clear plastic Tenite, it was part of Duncan’s “Imperial” line. Featuring a chevron logo, this model was the original standard for the Duncan Imperial.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by Duncan Toys Company from the 1950s to early 1960s. Made of the clear plastic Tenite, it was part of Duncan’s “Imperial” line. Featuring a chevron logo, this model was the original standard for the Duncan Imperial. Later Imperial's featured a fleur-de-lis instead of a chevron. The hot stamped seal reads “Duncan Imperial, Tenite, Yo-Yo Tops.”
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.33
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.33

Duncan Diablo Spinner

This wooden spinner toy was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1930s. Shaped like a bow-tie, one half is painted red and the other half white.
Description (Brief)
This wooden spinner toy was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1930s. Shaped like a bow-tie, one half is painted red and the other half white. It is stamped with a seal that reads “Duncan Diablo.” Commonly, diablo toys are usually larger and employ two strings: this example operates more along the lines of a yo-yo .
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.57
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.57

Lawn Dart Game

Lawn darts (also known as jarts) were a popular backyard lawn game during the 1980s. This lawn dart set sold by DP Superdarts is composed of three yellow darts and three red darts, with two plastic circles as targets.Currently not on view
Description
Lawn darts (also known as jarts) were a popular backyard lawn game during the 1980s. This lawn dart set sold by DP Superdarts is composed of three yellow darts and three red darts, with two plastic circles as targets.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2014.3006.02.3
nonaccession number
2014.3006
catalog number
2014.3006.02.3

Duncan Hi-Li Paddle Ball Toy

This yellow and black wooden paddleball game was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. The paddle is attached to a red rubber ball by a thin rubber cord. The paddle reads “Duncan’s Official Hi-Li, Reg. U.S. Pat. Off., Champion No. 99.”Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This yellow and black wooden paddleball game was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. The paddle is attached to a red rubber ball by a thin rubber cord. The paddle reads “Duncan’s Official Hi-Li, Reg. U.S. Pat. Off., Champion No. 99.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.60
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.60

Hallicrafters S-40 radio receiver

Amateurs began making home radios to transmit and receive messages early in the 1900s. As part of the 1912 Radio Act, these "hams" were assigned to the short-wave part of the radio spectrum.
Description
Amateurs began making home radios to transmit and receive messages early in the 1900s. As part of the 1912 Radio Act, these "hams" were assigned to the short-wave part of the radio spectrum. Radio operators around the world learned code, formed clubs, and exchanged cards listing their license numbers.
In 1933, radio enthusiast William (Bill) J. Halligan of Chicago founded The Hallicrafters, Inc. The firm sold radios and other electronic components. Ham radio operation in the U.S. was suspended during World War II, and Hallicrafters devoted its resources to producing military goods.
After the war, it resumed production for consumers. Hobbyists bought receivers like this one. This sturdy object was owned by Charles E. Dennison, a longtime employee of the Smithsonian Institution.
Reference: Max de Henseler, "When the Sky was the Limit, The Hallicrafters Story 1933-1975," unpublished manuscript.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1946
maker
Hallicrafters, Inc.
ID Number
EM.334935
catalog number
334935
accession number
315488
model number
S-40

Creeping Baby Doll Patent Model

This model demonstrates the invention of a mechanical crawling doll. It accompanied the patent submission of George Pemberton Clarke, who received U.S. patent No.
Description
This model demonstrates the invention of a mechanical crawling doll. It accompanied the patent submission of George Pemberton Clarke, who received U.S. patent No. 118,435 on 29 August 1871 for his “Natural Creeping Baby Doll.” The original patent office tag is still attached with red tape. Clarke’s patent was an improvement on the crawling baby doll patent of his associate Robert J. Clay (No. 112,550 granted 14 March 1871).
The doll’s head, two arms and two legs are made of painted plaster. The arms and legs are hinged to a brass clockwork body that actuates the arms and legs in imitation of crawling, but the doll moves forward by rolling along on two toothed wheels. A flat piece of wood is attached to top of the movement.
A commercial version of the doll is also in the collection. See also Catalog number 2011.0204.01a.
This mechanical toy is part of a fascinating continuum of figures built to imitate human life. This long Western tradition stretches from ancient Greece through the mechanical automatons of the Enlightenment, through wind-up toys to contemporary robots and other machines with artificial intelligence.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1871
patent date
1871-08-29
inventor
Clarke, George P.
ID Number
1984.0923.01
accession number
1984.0923
catalog number
1984.0923.01
patent number
118,435

Canoe, SAIRY GAMP

This small canoe was built in 1882 by J. H. Rushton in Canton, New York, for writer and adventurer George Washington Sears. Under the name "Nessmuk," Sears penned essays on hunting, fishing, and camping for popular journals and magazines.Currently on loan
Description
This small canoe was built in 1882 by J. H. Rushton in Canton, New York, for writer and adventurer George Washington Sears. Under the name "Nessmuk," Sears penned essays on hunting, fishing, and camping for popular journals and magazines.
Location
Currently on loan
date made
1882
maker
Rushton, J. H.
ID Number
TR.160315
accession number
7809
catalog number
160315

Plate

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1923
patent date
1923-06-12
date used
1936 to 1960s
maker
Beetleware Corporation
ID Number
1984.0331.02
accession number
1984.0331
catalog number
1984.0331.02

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