Work

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.

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet delivery apparatus which was granted patent number 227599. The patent describes an improved sheet-collecting cylinder and pasting apparatus.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet delivery apparatus which was granted patent number 227599. The patent describes an improved sheet-collecting cylinder and pasting apparatus.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
patent date
1880-05-11
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.227599
accession number
089797
patent number
227599
catalog number
GA*89797.227599
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed printing press; the invention was granted patent number 173295. The patent describes improvements to the movement of the bed, the sheet fly, and the inking table of cylinder presses.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed printing press; the invention was granted patent number 173295. The patent describes improvements to the movement of the bed, the sheet fly, and the inking table of cylinder presses.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1876
date made
ca 1876
patent date
1876-02-08
maker
Hoe, Richard March
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.173295
patent number
173295
catalog number
GA*89797.173295
accession number
89797
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for coating electrotype; the invention was granted patent number 85411.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for coating electrotype; the invention was granted patent number 85411. The patent details a machine for brushing black lead (plumbago, graphite) or bronze powder onto either wax or gutta percha molds, in order to give them conducting surfaces. Stephen Tucker was an employee and, from I860, a partner with R. Hoe & Co. He was responsible for numerous patents for the company, and was the author of the company history, "A History of R. Hoe & Company, 1834- 1885.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
patent date
1868-12-29
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.085411
patent number
085411
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.085411
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet delivery apparatus which was granted patent number 192954. The patent describes mechanisms to cut, convey, and collect sheets from a web press.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet delivery apparatus which was granted patent number 192954. The patent describes mechanisms to cut, convey, and collect sheets from a web press. One of several Tucker patents dealing with the problem of receiving sheets at high speed. This invention was patented in England in 1873. The application for the U.S. patent was filed in May 1874.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
patent date
1877-07-10
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.192954
accession number
089797
patent number
192954
catalog number
GA*89797.192954
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet-delivery apparatus which was granted patent number 197700.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet-delivery apparatus which was granted patent number 197700. The patent describes an apparatus at which several sets of sheets, such as the inside and outside sheets of a newspaper, were collected, folded, and delivered from the press.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
patent date
1877-11-27
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.197700
accession number
089797
patent number
197700
catalog number
GA*89797.197700
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a folding and collecting apparatus for printing machines which was granted patent number 214067.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a folding and collecting apparatus for printing machines which was granted patent number 214067.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
patent date
1879-04-08
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.214067
accession number
089797
patent number
214067
catalog number
GA*89797.214067
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of improved ink distribution on flatbed cylinder presses. The patent was granted number 173085.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of improved ink distribution on flatbed cylinder presses. The patent was granted number 173085.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1876
patent date
1876-02-01
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.173085
accession number
089797
patent number
173085
catalog number
GA*89797.173085
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an improved paper folding mechanism which was granted patent number 215844.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an improved paper folding mechanism which was granted patent number 215844.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
patent date
1879-05-27
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.215844
accession number
089797
patent number
215844
catalog number
GA*89797.215844
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet-reversing apparatus which was granted patent number 214065. On a sheet-fed rotary press like Hoe's Type Revolving Press, an apparatus to turn each sheet for printing on the reverse side.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet-reversing apparatus which was granted patent number 214065. On a sheet-fed rotary press like Hoe's Type Revolving Press, an apparatus to turn each sheet for printing on the reverse side.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
patent date
1879-04-08
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.214065
accession number
089797
patent number
214065
catalog number
GA*89797.214065
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary printing press which was granted patent number 131217. The invention offers a new system of feeding, carrying, and delivering sheets for rotary perfecting presses.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary printing press which was granted patent number 131217. The invention offers a new system of feeding, carrying, and delivering sheets for rotary perfecting presses. The model consists of the central group of feeding cylinders. According to Stephen D. Tucker’s History of R. Hoe & Company, a press on this plan was capable of printing 8000 sheets per hour and was used successfully by the New York Daily News.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1872
patent date
1872-09-10
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
Hoe, Richard March
ID Number
GA.89797.131217
patent number
131217
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.131217
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet delivery apparatus for a printing press which was granted patent number 214068. The patent details a sheet collecting and manipulating mechanism, with pasters, and folders, for high-speed delivery.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet delivery apparatus for a printing press which was granted patent number 214068. The patent details a sheet collecting and manipulating mechanism, with pasters, and folders, for high-speed delivery.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
patent date
1879-04-08
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.214068
patent number
214068
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.214068
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet-delivery apparatus which was granted patent number 191494. The patent describes a delivering cylinder with accessories: grippers, tapes, a folding blade, and pasting devices.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet-delivery apparatus which was granted patent number 191494. The patent describes a delivering cylinder with accessories: grippers, tapes, a folding blade, and pasting devices.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
patent date
1877-05-29
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.191494
patent number
191494
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.191494
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder printing press which was granted patent number 108785. The patent details methods of controlling the motion of the type bed. The model is broken.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder printing press which was granted patent number 108785. The patent details methods of controlling the motion of the type bed. The model is broken.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1870
date made
ca 1870
patent date
1870-11-01
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
Hoe, Richard March
ID Number
GA.89797.108785
accession number
89797
patent number
108785
catalog number
GA*89797.108785
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary perfecting press which was granted patent number 92050. The patent details improvements to sheet- or web-fed perfecting presses.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary perfecting press which was granted patent number 92050. The patent details improvements to sheet- or web-fed perfecting presses. Instead of being attached to the impression cylinder, the press blanket was an endless web that travelled with the paper and acted as its support. The press was patented in England in 1871 (Patent 1825 to W.E.Newton).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1869
patent date
1869-06-29
patentee
Hoe, Richard March
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
Hoe, Richard March
ID Number
GA.89797.092050
accession number
89797
patent number
092050
catalog number
GA*89797.092050
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 124460.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 124460. The patent describes improved mechanisms for control of the impression cylinder, inking rollers, sheet flier, and feed guides on stop cylinder presses for typographic or lithographic printing. The model is broken and incomplete.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1872
patent date
1872-03-12
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.124460
patent number
124460
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.124460
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a delivery apparatus for web presses which was adaptable for sheets of different sizes; the invention was granted patent number 197694.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a delivery apparatus for web presses which was adaptable for sheets of different sizes; the invention was granted patent number 197694.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
patent date
1877-11-27
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.22838
patent number
197694
catalog number
22838
accession number
249602
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an improved sheet-folding apparatus, made to stand as an independent machine, or to be attached to a web perfecting press; the invention was granted patent number 186384.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an improved sheet-folding apparatus, made to stand as an independent machine, or to be attached to a web perfecting press; the invention was granted patent number 186384.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
patent date
1877-01-16
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
1996.0062.18
catalog number
1996.0062.18
accession number
1996.0062
patent number
186384

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