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 33 items.
Page 1 of 4
Fire Helmet, "2nd Assistant Engineer C.C.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 white leather fire helmet dates to the second half of the 19th century. The eight comb helmet has a metal eagle frontpiece holder attached to the top of the crown. The white frontpiece has a red star and red banners that read “2nd ASSISTANT/ENGINEER/C.C.F.D.” in white leather letters.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0189
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0189
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Presentation Trumpet, "James F. Gaffney"
- 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 silver plated speaking trumpet was presented to James F. Gaffney and dates from the mid to late 19th century. The trumpet has a plain surface with beaded bands around the mouthpiece and upper and lower bulges in the trumpet. There is an egg and dart pattern stamped around the bell of the horn. Two gilded eagles’ heads are attached to the trumpet holding rings in their beaks that are connected by a braided purple cord with tassels on the end. There are decorative incisions around an engraving that reads “Presented to James F. Gaffney by his Friends for his Good qualities as a Fireman and his Virtues as a citizen.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1860
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0822
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0822
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Presentation Trumpet, "Washington Fire Engine Company"
- 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 silver plated speaking trumpet was presented to the Washington Fire Engine Company by the Jovial Club of Paterson, New Jersey in 1860. The trumpet is engraved with ivy and flowers around the entire trumpet and has an inscription inside an oval cartouche framed by tree branches. This inscription reads, "Presented by the Jovial Club of Paterson, N.J. to Washington Fire Engine Company No. 3, February 22, 1860." The braided orange cord with tassels is attached to the trumpet by rings in the shape of fire hats. In September of 1862 many members of the Washington Fire Engine Company formed Company A in the 25th Regiment of the New Jersey Volunteers.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1860
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0823
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0823
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Presentation Trumpet, "Trenton Hose Co."
- 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 is plated with silver and painted gold. There are three oval medallions around the bell, each with a profile image of a Grecian figure’s head. The shaft of the horn features a profile bust of George Washington framed in an oval cartouche. There is an inscription on the shaft that reads “Presented to Trenton Hose Co. No. 1 of Trenton, N.J. by Empire Association Lynn Feb 4th 1869” that is framed in an oval. A braided red, white, and blue cord is attached to the trumpet through two rings.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1869
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0850
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0850
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Presentation Trumpet, "Lafayette Hose Company"
- 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 metal trumpet was presented to the Lafayette Hose Company around 1865. There are engraved designs on the trumpet’s shaft and bell, and three medallions attached to the bell with one in the trumpet’s shaft. The medallions around the bell include two profile images of helmeted Greek or Roman figures and a classical front-facing female. A medallion on the shaft has a profile image of a helmeted Greek or Roman figure. Two eagles’ heads protrude from the shaft with a place in their beaks for rings. There is an inscription in the center of the shaft that reads “Presented to the LaFayette Hose Company Oct. 16, 1865 by their friends [illegible].”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0898
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0898
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Presentation Trumpet, "Garrett Bell"
- 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 silver-plated speaking trumpet was presented by the Harry Howard Hose Company of New York City to its last volunteer foreman in 1865. The trumpet has an engraved floral design with several raised floral patterns throughout. There is a cartouche on the bell that contains an engraved image of a hose reel. A cartouche along the shaft contains the inscription “Presented to Garrett Bell foreman of Harry Howard Hose Co. No. 55 by the members Jan. 1st 1865.” A braided blue cord with tassels is attached to the trumpet through protruding rings. The Harry Howard Hose Company, formed in 1853, was named for the famous Chief Engineer of the New York City volunteers. Garrett Bell was the last foreman of the company when it disbanded as part of the creation of the paid municipal city system in 1865.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0900
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0900
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Patent Model of a Lithographic Printing Press
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements to the inking, dampening, and tympan apparatus in a scraper machine. The invention was granted patent number 37727.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1863
- date made
- ca 1863
- patent date
- 1863-02-17
- maker
- Reynolds, George H.
- ID Number
- GA*89797.037727
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 037727
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Patent Model of a Press for Card and Ticket Printing
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for a card and ticket press which was granted patent number 48493. The patent details a self-inking press in which a series of flattened surfaces on a large rotating drum provided multiple platens. The type was suspended face down and lowered against the drum. Paper could be fed from a roll, or placed on the flat surfaces, a card at a time, as each platen approached the type. There was also a numbering device.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1865
- date made
- ca 1865
- patent date
- 1865-06-27
- maker
- Sangster, James
- ID Number
- GA*89797.048493
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 048493
- catalog number
- GA*89797.048493
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Patent model for printers' sidesticks and quoins
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for paired sidesticks, grooved and tapered on the inside surfaces to take matching quoins; the invention was granted patent number 87339. The sticks were held together loosely by dowels.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1869
- date made
- ca 1869
- patent date
- 1869-03-02
- maker
- House, Thomas J.
- ID Number
- GA*89797.087339
- patent number
- 087339
- accession number
- 089797
- catalog number
- GA*89797.087339
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "CHIEF D.I.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 white leather helmet was made around 1889. The helmet has 24 combs, a metal eagle frontpiece holder, and a rear brim embossed with an image of a hoses, hooks, ladders, lamps, and horns. A metal plate sits in the center of the image with the engraving “David I. Turnbull, appointed May 1, 1889.” The frontpiece reads “CHIEF/D.I.T.” with a painted central image of a fire trumpet with a helmet perched on top and a variety of firefighting tools crossed behind the trumpet. The helmet belonged to David I. Turnbull, who served as Chief Engineer in Paterson in 1877 and was appointed Chief Engineer by the Paterson aldermen, serving from May 1889 until May 1890.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865
- user
- Turnbull, David I.
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0143
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0143
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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