The first shopping cart in the United States was developed in the late 1930s and patented in 1940 by Sylvan Goldman of Oklahoma City, OK. It consisted of upper and lower baskets placed atop a folding frame similar to that of a folding chair with wheels. Following use, the baskets would be removed and stacked with others and the frame folded. Prior to each use the baskets and the frame needed to be assembled.

In 1946, Orla E. Watson, of Kansas City, MO, devised a plan for a telescoping shopping cart which did not require assembly or disassembly of its parts before and after use; this cart could be fitted into another cart for compact storage, hence the cart descriptor. The hinged side of the baskets allowed the telescoping. Watson's Western Machine Company made examples of this invention, and the first ones were manufactured and put to use in Floyd Day's Super Market in 1947.

Visitors can look at both documents and objects. Some of the documents have been reproduced, which will allow an even closer look.

Alison L. Oswald, an archivist at the Museum's Archives Center, focuses on collections relating to the study of invention and innovation.