Work - Overview
The tools, rules, and relationships of the workplace illustrate some of the enduring collaborations and conflicts in the everyday life of the nation. The Museum has more than 5,000 traditional American tools, chests, and simple machines for working wood, stone, metal, and leather. Materials on welding, riveting, and iron and steel construction tell a more industrial version of the story. Computers, industrial robots, and other artifacts represent work in the Information Age.
But work is more than just tools. The collections include a factory gate, the motion-study photographs of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, and more than 3,000 work incentive posters. The rise of the factory system is measured, in part, by time clocks in the collections. More than 9,000 items bring in the story of labor unions, strikes, and demonstrations over trade and economic issues.
"Work - Overview" showing 2 items.
Fire Helmet, "Isaiah Case Hook & Ladder Company No. 6"
- Description
- This leather fire helmet was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York during the late 19th to early 20th century. This helmet resembles a pith helmet, deviating from the style of the standard fire helmets with elongated rear brim, frontpiece, and metal frontpiece holder. The helmet is painted white with a braided rope across the visor attached to buttons on both sides of the helmet that bear the initials “FD.” The helmet’s elaborate metal frontpiece bears the Roman numerals “VI,” two hexagonal fire hydrants with hoses, an axe, pole lantern, hook, and ladder. According to labels and marks inside the hat, the hat belonged to “Isaiah Case Hook & Ladder Company No. 6,” which was founded in Newark, New Jersey, in 1865.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1898-1911
- producer
- Cairns & Brother
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0162
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0162
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Independence Hose Steam F.E. Co. 20"
- Description
- The traditional American leather firefighter’s helmet with its distinctive long rear brim, frontpiece, and crest adornment was first developed around 1821-1836 in New York City. Henry T. Gratacap, a New York City luggage maker by trade, is often credited as the developer of this style of fire helmet. Gratacap created a specially treated leather helmet with a segmented “comb” design that led to unparalleled durability and strength. The elongated rear brim (also known as a duckbill or beavertail) and frontpiece were 19th century innovations that remain the most identifiable feature of firefighter’s helmets. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down firefighters’ backs, and their sturdy crowns could aid, if necessary, in breaking windows.
- This leather fire helmet was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around the mid-19th century. The black helmet has four crowns with an ivy-vine scrollwork pattern embossed around the brim of the hat. The frontpiece has the number “20” in black in the center, surrounded by text on red banners that reads “INDEPENDENCE/HOSE/STEAM/FE Co.” This refers to Independence Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company, which operated around the 1860's in Philadelphia. The name of the owner “John Dobin” is on a paper label inside the hat, and the initials “JD” are painted on the underside of the brim in black.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1848
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0165
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0165
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center