Work

Gilbreth Stopwatch

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.

Date: 1890s

Helmet Frontpiece, "Enterprise Hose"

The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information.
Description (Brief)
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was manufactured by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around 1895. The black leather frontpiece has white lettering on a red background that reads “ENTERPRISE/HOSE/1.” There is a red banner at the bottom of the frontpiece with missing letters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1895
maker
Cairns & Brother
ID Number
2005.0233.1431
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.1431

Bellows

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80770U02

Ship Model, Steam Schooner Royal

This model represents a vessel powered by both steam and sail power. An auxiliary schooner, the Royal was one of several built after 1890 for use in the Alaska salmon fishery. Tenders like the Royal transported workers and supplies, and carried fish packed at remote canneries.
Description
This model represents a vessel powered by both steam and sail power. An auxiliary schooner, the Royal was one of several built after 1890 for use in the Alaska salmon fishery. Tenders like the Royal transported workers and supplies, and carried fish packed at remote canneries. The model shows a deckhouse with a pilothouse forward, a fish hatch, and a slide companionway to the forecastle.
The Royal was built in 1891 by Matthew Turner at Benicia, California. Turner, born in Ohio in 1825, grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, where he learned about fishing and the ship-building trades. In 1850 he joined the throngs of fortune-seekers heading to the California gold rush. After some success in the gold fields, he returned east but was soon back on the West Coast, where he organized a trading company that shipped lumber and other cargoes. He also began building ships, and in 1882 he moved his operations to Benicia, on Suisun Bay, northeast of San Francisco. A prolific builder, Turner launched some 228 sailing vessels in his career. The site of Turner’s Benicia shipyard was registered as a California Historical Landmark in 1987.
date made
1891
maker
Turner, Matthew
ID Number
TR.076238
catalog number
076238
accession number
28022

Barnet Rudin's Tailor's Sign

These shears, pressing board, buttonhole cutter, buttonhole scissors, thread holders, and measuring sticks were owned by a Russian Jew named Barnet Rudin. An apprentice tailor from Minsk, Rudin immigrated to New York City in 1899 and finally settled in Rochester, NY, in 1908.
Description
These shears, pressing board, buttonhole cutter, buttonhole scissors, thread holders, and measuring sticks were owned by a Russian Jew named Barnet Rudin. An apprentice tailor from Minsk, Rudin immigrated to New York City in 1899 and finally settled in Rochester, NY, in 1908. There he opened a tailor's shop, which he continued to run up until his death in 1959.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
user
Rudin, Bainet
ID Number
TE.T17138
catalog number
T17138
accession number
310752

Pacific Steam Whaleship Orca

The steam whaler Orca was built at San Francisco in 1882 specifically for the Pacific and Arctic whale fisheries.
Description
The steam whaler Orca was built at San Francisco in 1882 specifically for the Pacific and Arctic whale fisheries. By the late 19th century, the Atlantic whale was too scarce due to overhunting, and whaling had moved almost completely to distant western waters to exploit the remaining whales.
Measuring 177 feet in length and 628 tons, Orca had a 280-HP steam engine for propulsion. It also had a full suit of auxiliary sails for backup and fuel conservation. When built, Orca was the largest auxiliary steam whaler in the United States.
The bark-rigged vessel was heavily built and braced, with a strongly raked bow to work in the Arctic ice pack. The heavy timbers and bow shape allowed it to be driven up onto the ice, where its weight helped to break through. Orca’s propeller had two blades so it could be aligned vertically with the stern timbers when not in use in order to protect it from the ice.
Information collected by Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Conn. indicates that Orca, along with many other Pacific whalers, resorted to shanghaiing, or acquiring crewmen from agents ashore who forced potential crewmen onto their ships in various ways. With around two dozen whaleships clearing San Francisco each year for the Pacific whaling grounds, the need for crewmen was great.
Date made
1894
reference material
Mystic Seaport Museum
ID Number
TR.076237
catalog number
076237
accession number
028022

Fire Helmet, "Foreman No. 3, H K W"

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.
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 William H. Wilson of New York, New York in the mid-to-late 19th century. The helmet is painted black overall and its combs are painted gold, with a gold arrow design painted between the combs. The helmet has a floral design in gold embossed around the brim, and a metal lion frontpiece holder. The frontpiece is painted white, and reads “FOREMAN/H 3 C/H.K.W” in black. This helmet likely belonged to H.K. Woodruff of the Independent Hose Company No. 3, who served as foreman of the company from about 1863-1865.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1846-1894
maker
Wilson, John
Wilson, William H.
ID Number
2005.0233.0157
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0157

West of England Fire and Life Insurance Company Fire Mark

Beginning in the late 17th century, English insurance companies maintained private fire brigades that were paid to respond to fires at properties they insured.
Description (Brief)
Beginning in the late 17th century, English insurance companies maintained private fire brigades that were paid to respond to fires at properties they insured. Properties were identified by leaden badges (fire marks) bearing a insurance company’s emblem and often stamped with the customer’s policy number.
The West of England Fire and Life Insurance Company of Exeter, England issued this copper fire mark sometime between 1807 and 1894. The oval mark has a central image of King Alfred holding a sword and scepter, with a shield leaning against him. The West of England Fire and Life Insurance Company was founded in 1807 when a fire destroyed two-thirds of the houses in a town near Exeter, and started issuing policies in 1808. The company expanded into London in 1825, and by 1852 it was the sixth-largest insurance company in England.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1807-1894
ID Number
2005.0233.0560
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0560

"AFD Hose One" Decorative Panel

This is a bas-relief carving of a hose wagon was painted red and mounted onto a wooden panel. Dated to around 1890-1900, the panel was most likely made for decoration and not used on a fire engine. The A.F.D.
Description (Brief)
This is a bas-relief carving of a hose wagon was painted red and mounted onto a wooden panel. Dated to around 1890-1900, the panel was most likely made for decoration and not used on a fire engine. The A.F.D. painted on the hose wagon possibly refers to the Albany Fire Department of New York.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0320
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0320

West of England Fire and Life Insurance Company Fire Mark

Beginning in the late 17th century, English insurance companies maintained private fire brigades that were paid to respond to fires at properties they insured.
Description (Brief)
Beginning in the late 17th century, English insurance companies maintained private fire brigades that were paid to respond to fires at properties they insured. Properties were identified by leaden badges (fire marks) bearing a insurance company’s emblem and often stamped with the customer’s policy number.
The West of England Fire and Life Insurance Company of Exeter, England issued this tinned sheet iron fire mark between 1807 and 1894. The mark has a central raised image of King Alfred holding a spear and shield. Over the mark is the raised text “WEST OF ENGLAND” while below the raised text reads “EXETER.” The West of England Fire and Life Insurance Company was founded in 1807 when a fire destroyed two-thirds of the houses in a town near Exeter, and started issuing policies in 1808. The company expanded into London in 1825, and by 1852 it was the sixth-largest insurance company in England.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1807-1894
ID Number
2005.0233.0565
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0565

Protection Fire Insurance Company Fire Mark

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.
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 Protection Fire Insurance Company of Charleston, West Virginia issued this cast iron fire mark around 1892 to 1894. The rectangular mark bears a raised image in the center of a spread-winged eagle rising from flames. The top and bottom of the mark reads “PROTECTION/INSURANCE Co.” The Protection Fire Insurance Company operated from 1892 until 1894.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1892-1894
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0550
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0550

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