Telegraph relays amplified electrical signals in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages traveled as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. Short pulses made a dot, slightly longer pulses a dash. The pulses faded in strength as they traveled through the wire, to the point where the incoming signal was too weak to directly operate a receiving sounder or register. A relay detected a weak signal and used a battery to strengthen the signal so that the receiver would operate.
This relay includes a marble base and was made by Charles T. Chester of New York City. The electromagnet coils are fixed but the steel core can be moved to adjust the strength of the magnetic field.
Black with short sleeve shirt with blue and red “flag” pinned to proper left pocket. Brown wool pants. Black and white checked cloth neckerchief with red band at each end. Brown cloth rice belt. Rubber sandals.
General History
The Viet Cong were a guerilla force that fought against the United States and South Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict. Viet Cong could be a farmer, a woman, or a child and they were indistinguishable from the United States' South Vietnam allies. They used makeshift weapons, had a variety of uniforms, and avoided traditional combat, making it difficult to know who exactly the enemy was. Their orders came from the North Vietnam Communist party.
This mortar and pestle were used to grind coffee beans after they were dried and roasted. Coffee was a major cash crop in Puerto Rico, second only to sugar. It grows well in the low mountains of the island, like the fertile area around the town of Yauco in the southwest. In the 19th century many Corsicans settled in this region and played a significant role in developing the island's coffee economy, both as growers and exporters.
Description (Spanish)
El pilón se usaba para machacar los granos de café una vez secos y tostados. El café constituía un cultivo comercial de gran relevancia en Puerto Rico, el segundo en importancia después del azúcar. Se da bien en las montañas bajas de la isla, como por ejemplo en la zona fértil alrededor de la ciudad de Yauco, en el sudoeste. Durante el siglo XIX se establecieron en esta región muchos colonos oriundos de Córcega, quienes desempeñaron un papel esencial en el desarrollo de la economía de la isla en torno al café, impulsando tanto la producción como la exportación.
Julia Child occasionally used French bistro signs as props on the early episodes of The French Chef television series, which first aired in 1963. This sign, in red and black lettering, advertises “Frites,” or French fries, one of the few French foods she knew her American audience would find familiar. Julia’s introduction of both favorite dishes and unfamiliar cuisine through humor and a sense of adventure brought the message home to viewers in an accessible and memorable way.
Silk with images of allied flags and the phrase "THIS BEARER IS U.N. FORCES" in several languages.
Specific History
This safe conduct pass was purchased and carried by Corporal George E. Munson, United States Marine Corps.
General History
Pilots and air crews carried small banners, called blood chits, that identified them as members of United Nations forces. In the event they were shot down, the chits offered a reward to anyone who assisted them.
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1966. The lunch box features images of the comic strip version of Batman and Robin that ran from 1966-1974. These Batman and Robin strips took on the some of the campy nature of television’s Batman, but also introduced some of the series most interesting storylines.
This Peterbilt single-sleeper tractor was owned by Werner Enterprises, a national freight carrier founded in 1956. As high speed, limited access highways were built, demand to move small goods created opportunities for trucking companies and truck builders. Tractor-trailers replaced freight trains for many types of products. Peterbilt began making log and lumber trucks in the late 1930s and was known for tailoring its custom designed trucks to the needs of truckers. Peterbilt also pioneered the use of aluminum, which allowed greater cargo weight within legal limits. Model 359, one of Peterbilt’s workhorses, was manufactured from 1967 to 1987.
This trombone was made by Conn in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1969. It is a valve model trombone, serial #M76252. Accessioned with a soft canvas case. This trombone is inscribed:
CG CONN LTD Victor USA
This trombone was previously owned and used by William Russo (1928-2003), American composer, arranger, musician, teacher, and founder of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. Russo composed more than 200 pieces for jazz orchestra. Throughout his career, Russo work included collaborations with Duke Ellington, Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Stan Kenton, Cannonball Adderley, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Cleo Laine, and Billie Holiday.