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, "Franklin 1"
- 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 likely dates to the middle of the 19th century. The helmet has eight combs and is painted brown with a shiny lacquer-like finish. An ivy-vine pattern is embossed around the brim of the helmet, and a metal eagle frontpiece holder is mounted onto the crown of the helmet. A ring is attached to the crown of the hat where the combs intersect. The helmet has a detached brown frontpiece with a large gold number “1” in the center with a crossed hook and ladder behind it. The banner above reads “FRANKLIN.” The exact company that this helmet belonged to is hard to identify since many volunteer companies adopted Benjamin Franklin as their namesake.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Franklin, Benjamin
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0158
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0158
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Franklin Hose Company Fire Hat
- Description
- Beginning in the late 18th century, some volunteer fire fighters began to wear hats painted with their company’s name to identify themselves at chaotic fire scenes. During the 19th century, these fire hats became more ornate, as portraits of historical figures, patriotic scenes, allegorical images, or company icons were painted alongside the company’s name, motto, or founding date. Made of pressed felt, these “stove-pipe” hats were primarily used in Philadelphia, but other nearby cities such as Baltimore and Washington adopted them as well. Fire hats were personal items with the owner’s initials often painted on the top of the hat. While these hats were worn at fires, they are more colloquially known as “parade hats.” Fire companies commonly marched in the many parades of the period and these ornate hats contributed to the visual culture of their day. These distinguishing features in a company’s regalia often proclaimed the members’ cultural and political identity as well as their position on contested topics such as work, religion and immigration.
- This fire hat was used in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the first half of the 19th century. The hat is painted black overall, with a portrait of Benjamin Franklin painted inside a golden oval frame on the front. The portrait is flanked by red banners with gold trim that reads “FRANKLIN/HOSE COMPY” in gold. The back of the hat has the date “1838” painted in large gold numbers. The crown of the hat has the owner’s initials “J.S.” Franklin Hose Company was founded in Philadelphia in 1838, with its firehouse on Broad Street near Fitzwater. Benjamin Franklin was well known for organizing the first volunteer fire company in Philadelphia, and his image and his name were popular among the city’s fire companies.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c.1840-1860
- associated
- Franklin Hose Company
- depicted, commorated
- Franklin, Benjamin
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0039
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0039
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center