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 46 items.
Page 1 of 5
Patent Model for a Hand Stamp
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking percussion stamp; the invention was granted patent number 16608.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1857
- date made
- ca 1857
- patent date
- 1857-02-10
- maker
- Ramsay, P. A.
- ID Number
- 1996.0062.15
- patent number
- 016608
- accession number
- 1996.0062
- catalog number
- 1996.0062.15
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Patent model for printers' chase lock
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for a combination of quoins and sidesticks, with a special lever for their adjustment; the invention was granted patent number 11091.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1854
- date made
- ca 1854
- patent date
- 1854-06-13
- maker
- Sprague, E. H.
- ID Number
- 1996.0062.16
- patent number
- 011091
- accession number
- 1996.0062
- catalog number
- 1996.0062.16
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Stockton 2 W.M.H."
- 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 black leather fire helmet dates to the mid-19th century. The helmet has eight combs, an embossed ivy-vine design around the brim, and a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted to the crown of the helmet. The grey frontpiece reads “STOCKTON/2/WMH.’
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1855
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0192
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0192
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Presentation Trumpet, "New Jersey Company, No. 4"
- Description (Brief)
- As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
- This brass and silver plated speaking trumpet dates to 1852. The lower and upper section of the trumpet is plated in silver. There is a braided red cord with tassels that is strung through two rings along the trumpets’ shaft. There is a silver shield-shaped plaque attached to the trumpet that bears the inscription “Presented Sept. 20, 1852/ To the New Jersey Co. No. 4/ By a friend A.N.B.S./ For the use of the carriage.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1852
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0882
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0882
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Speaking Trumpet
- Description (Brief)
- As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
- This brass trumpet dates from the 19th century. The trumpet has small bands around the mouthpiece and bell, but lacks any engraving or adornment.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1854
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0886
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0886
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Patent Model for a Paper-Folding Machine
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for a paper-folding machine which was granted patent number 7722. It was a machine for folding sheets of paper by forcing them between plates.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1850
- date made
- ca 1850
- patent date
- 1850-10-15
- maker
- Snow, George K.
- ID Number
- GA*89797.007722
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 007722
- catalog number
- GA*89797.007722
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Patent Model for a Hand Stamp
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking stamp, operated by hand or foot; the invention was granted number 16641.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1857
- date made
- ca 1857
- patent date
- 1857-02-17
- maker
- Elliot, William H.
- ID Number
- GA*89797.016641
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 016641
- catalog number
- GA*89797.016641
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Patent Model of a Hand Stamp
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking hand stamp which was granted patent number 21980.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1858
- date made
- ca 1858
- patent date
- 1858-11-02
- maker
- Phelps, James N.
- ID Number
- GA*89797.021980
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 021980
- catalog number
- GA*89797.021980
- patent number
- 021980
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Hope Mutual Fire Insurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The Hope Mutual Fire Insurance Company of St. Louis was active from 1857 until 1901, when it was purchased by the National Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The shield-shaped fire mark is made of zinc, with an anchor in its center. The mark has a raised rim and raised lettering that reads “HOPE/MUTUAL.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1857
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0040
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0040
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "John N. Bird R.F.D."
- 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 made by an unknown American manufacturer dates from the mid-19th century. The helmet has eight combs with an embossed ivy-vine scrollwork design around the hat’s brim, and a metal eagle frontpiece holder. The frontpiece reads “JOHN BIRD/5/RFD.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1855
- user
- Bird, John N.
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0166
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0166
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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