Energy & Power
The Museum's collections on energy and power illuminate the role of fire, steam, wind, water, electricity, and the atom in the nation's history. The artifacts include wood-burning stoves, water turbines, and windmills, as well as steam, gas, and diesel engines. Oil-exploration and coal-mining equipment form part of these collections, along with a computer that controlled a power plant and even bubble chambers—a tool of physicists to study protons, electrons, and other charged particles.
A special strength of the collections lies in objects related to the history of electrical power, including generators, batteries, cables, transformers, and early photovoltaic cells. A group of Thomas Edison's earliest light bulbs are a precious treasure. Hundreds of other objects represent the innumerable uses of electricity, from streetlights and railway signals to microwave ovens and satellite equipment.
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Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Top Tubing
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel top tube was created using Elihu Thomson’s electric welding apparatus (see object number MC*181724). Welding samples demonstrated potential industrial applications of electric welding, and illustrations of these samples were published in journals, brochures, and advertisements. Elihu Thomson’s invention of electric welding in 1885 resulted in numerous applications including the manufacture of automobile parts, tools, screws, ball bearings, and wire lines. Thomson’s welding apparatus passed an electric current through two pieces of metal pressed together. Resistance to the current at the contact point between the metal pieces created heat and welded the metals together.
- Scientist and inventor Elihu Thomson (1853-1937) played a prominent role in the industrialization and electrification of America with over 700 patents in his name. His inventions and patents helped change the nature of industry in the United States and included the “uniflow” steam engine, automobile muffler, producing fused quartz, stereoscopic x-ray pictures, electric arc lamps, lightning arrestors, and perhaps most notably—the process of electrical welding. Thomson and partner Edwin Houston established the Thomson-Houston Electric Company in 1883. In 1892 Thomson-Houston merged with the Edison Electric Company to form General Electric.
- date made
- 1886
- maker
- Thomson, Elihu
- ID Number
- EM.181672
- catalog number
- 181672
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Display of Edison experimental light bulb filament
- Date made
- 1881
- maker
- Hammer, William J.
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- ID Number
- EM.320526
- catalog number
- 320526
- accession number
- 241402
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Whaler's Fluke Lance
- Description
- The most dangerous act in the dangerous business of whaling was “spading flukes.” The whaleboat drew up close alongside a desperate, unpredictable whale on the water surface, and a crewman used a boat spade or fluke lance to sever the whale’s tail tendons. This effectively immobilized the prey, for the whale couldn’t swim without its tail.
- According to James Temple Brown, who wrote the 1883 catalog of the Smithsonian’s whaling collection, the fluke lance was exceedingly rare and was regarded as “a monstrosity by all the fraternity”. This rare inscribed example was used aboard the starboard whaleboat of the bark Sea Fox.
- Date made
- ca 1880-1889
- authored whaling reference material
- Brown, James Temple
- maker
- Driggs, James D.
- ID Number
- TR.056358
- catalog number
- 056358
- accession number
- 012298
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Fisherman’s Oilskin Hat
- Description
- Gloucester fishermen working on the North Atlantic were exposed to harsh weather conditions. Waves and freezing rain splashed over the decks and into the dories while the men worked. For some measure of protection, fishermen in the 19th century wore oiled clothes, the precursors to today’s waterproof foul weather gear.
- This hat, referred to as a “Cape Ann sou’wester” because of its wide use in the fisheries around Cape Ann, Mass., is made of soft oiled canvas and lined with flannel. It has an elongated brim in the back to keep water from running down the wearer’s neck and inside his clothing. Ear flaps for warmth are also part of the hat’s design.
- A catalog from the 1883 International Fisheries Exhibition in London claimed that with the sou’wester, “no class of seamen were so comfortably clothed as the New England fishermen.” At the time of the exhibition’s opening, sou’westers cost about $6.50 per dozen.
- This Cape Ann sou’wester was displayed at the London exhibition, courtesy of its manufacturer, A. J. Tower of Boston, Mass. It was part of a display of the latest gear used and worn by American fishermen.
- date made
- early 1880s
- used
- late 19th century
- on exhibit
- 1883
- ID Number
- 2009.0157.03
- catalog number
- 102126
- accession number
- 2009.0157
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Rear Forks
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel rear fork was created using Elihu Thomson’s electric welding apparatus (see object number MC*181724). Welding samples demonstrated the potential industrial applications of electric welding, and illustrations of these samples were published in journals, brochures, and advertisements. Elihu Thomson’s invention of electric welding in 1885 resulted in numerous industrial applications including the manufacture of automobile parts, tools, screws, ball bearings, and wire lines. Thomson’s welding apparatus pressed two pieces of metal together while an electric current ran through the metal. Resistance to the current at the contact point between the metal pieces created heat and welded the metals together.
- Scientist and inventor Elihu Thomson (1853-1937) played a prominent role in the industrialization and electrification of America with over 700 patents in his name. His inventions and patents helped change the nature of industry in the United States and included the “uniflow” steam engine, automobile muffler, producing fused quartz, stereoscopic x-ray pictures, electric arc lamps, lightning arrestors, and perhaps most notably—the process of electrical welding. Thomson and partner Edwin Houston established a variety of companies to manage his industrial interests. In 1892, his Thomson-Houston Electric Company merged with the Edison Electric Company to form General Electric.
- date made
- 1886
- maker
- Thomson, Elihu
- ID Number
- EM.181675
- catalog number
- 181675
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Edison chemical-type electric meter
- Date made
- ca1882
- ca 1882
- associated person
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- maker
- Edison Electric Co.
- ID Number
- EM.262476
- catalog number
- 262476
- accession number
- 52260
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Patent Model of a Book-stitching Machine
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for sewing books using a double-loop stitch. The invention was granted patent number 250991.
- date made
- ca 1881
- patent date
- 1881-12-13
- maker
- Smyth, David McConnel
- ID Number
- GA.89797.250991
- patent number
- 250991
- accession number
- 089797
- catalog number
- GA*89797.250991
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Edison underground electrical junction box
- Date made
- 1885
- ID Number
- EM.314917
- catalog number
- 314917
- accession number
- 212336
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Whaler's Shoulder or Darting Gun
- Description
- By the later 19th century, guns had replaced most hand harpoons and lances, since they were far more efficient and deadly to the prey. They also could be shot from a safer distance from the prey than the hand tools could be wielded. The darting gun was one of the more popular types. Loaded with different darts, this versatile weapon could be used both for harpooning and killing whales.
- This particular gun was displayed at the 1883 International Fisheries Exhibition in London, England. After the display ended, it was donated to the Smithsonian by its inventor, Capt. Eben Pierce of New Bedford, Mass.
- date made
- 1880s
- guns replaced hand tools
- late 19th century
- displayed at the International Fisheries Exhibition
- 1883
- maker
- Pierce, Eben
- ID Number
- TR.316550
- catalog number
- 316550
- accession number
- 66767
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Whaler's Hand Lance
- Description
- After harpoons fastened the whale and whaleboat together, a whale was given plenty of time and rope to dive, try to swim away, and otherwise wear itself out. Once the exhausted animal returned to the surface to breathe, the whaleboat approached it, and a hand lance, also known as a killing iron, was used to actually dispatch the animal.
- Hand lances had long shafts, to allow the point to penetrate deep into the whale’s body in search of the thick neck arteries. The tips of the killing irons were leaf or oval shaped and extremely sharp, so that they cut on the way in and on the way out, and were easier to remove and stab repeatedly. Cutting the neck arteries prevented the animal from deep diving and hastened its bleeding to death.
- This nickel-plated example was manufactured and donated by Luther Cole of Fairhaven, Mass.
- Date made
- 1880s
- maker
- Cole, Luther
- ID Number
- AG.056357
- accession number
- 012326
- catalog number
- 056357
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Whaler's Harpoon with Toggle Head
- Description
- The first step in catching a whale was throwing at least two sharp harpoons into its back, to ensure that the whaleboat was securely fastened to its prey. Harpoon shafts were made of soft wrought iron, so that they would bend and not break off when twisted, which risked losing the wounded whale.
- A line at the bottom of the harpoon’s wooden handle attached it to the whaleboat. Once in the whale’s flesh, the sharp toggle tip swiveled sideways, making it harder for the tip of the weapon to pull out. Whales normally dove deep after the first prick, to try and escape the sharp jab from the surface of the ocean. This harpoon shaft was twisted by a descending whale.
- date made
- 1882
- maker
- D. & D.
- ID Number
- AG.056237
- catalog number
- 056237
- accession number
- 012284
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Knife
- Description
- A knife was an essential tool on a whaleboat, where the quick cutting of a tangled line snagged on a man’s ankle or on an object in the boat could mean the difference between life or death.
- Date made
- 1880s
- ID Number
- TR.103026
- catalog number
- 103026
- accession number
- 12328
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Edison electric power switch
- Date made
- c1882
- ca 1882
- ID Number
- EM.318717
- catalog number
- 318717
- accession number
- 232729
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Rotary electric light switch
- Date made
- 1882
- date made
- 1887
- associated person
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- maker
- Bergmann & Co.
- ID Number
- EM.181754
- catalog number
- 181754
- accession number
- 33261
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Plane for making Edison bamboo filaments
- Description
- Inventing a new technical device not only involves creating the device itself, but often entails creating special tools to produce the device or the component pieces of the device. Thomas Edison conducted experiments on hundreds of different types of natural fibers in his search for a material that would serve as a light bulb filament.
- Date made
- 1880
- associated user
- unknown
- maker
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- S. R. Wells & Co.
- ID Number
- EM.314259
- catalog number
- 314259
- accession number
- 198085
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Fishermen’s Woolen Nippers
- Description
- Fishermen working trawl lines in the 19th century often suffered cuts and rope burns on their hands. They typically wore mittens or gloves to protect themselves when hauling the long lines aboard and removing the fish. These sturdy but soft rings, called nippers, are knitted of woolen yarn and stuffed with more wool. They would have fit around a fisherman’s palms, protecting his hands while his fingers remained free for tasks requiring dexterity.
- These nippers were probably made in Gloucester, Mass., for use by local fishermen working on offshore schooners. The shallow, fertile banks stretching from Georges Bank east of Nantucket to the Grand Bank off Newfoundland, Canada, were prime fishing areas for Gloucestermen. Cod, haddock, and halibut were the principal species caught by fishermen working aboard schooners in these waters in the late 19th century.
- These nippers were among the fishermen’s clothing, tools, and apparatus featured by the United States in the 1883 International Fisheries Exhibition in London.
- Date made
- 1880s
- used
- late 19th century
- on exhibit
- 1883
- ID Number
- AG.102074
- catalog number
- 102074
- accession number
- 2009.0157
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Motor for Edison electric fan
- Date made
- c1885
- ca 1885
- date made
- ca. 1885
- associated person
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- maker
- Edison Electric Co.
- ID Number
- EM.337118
- catalog number
- 337118
- accession number
- 1979.0430
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Rigged Model, Sidewheel Cotton Packet J.M. White
- Description
- The Mississippi River sidewheel steamboat J.M. White was built at Jeffersonville, Ind., in 1878 for the Greenville and New Orleans Packet Company. Measuring 321’ long and 91’ in beam across the paddlebox guards, the White only sat 10’-6” deep in the water when fully laden. The steamboat was designed for Mississippi River packet service between New Orleans, La., and Greenville, Miss.
- The White was one of the largest, most expensive, luxurious, and most powerful river steamers ever built, with 2,800 horsepower and a capacity of 250 first-class passengers and 10,000 bales of cotton. Named after famous riverboat captain J. M. White (1823–1880), the “supreme triumph in cotton boat architecture” was a masterpiece of the gaudy, glamorous style known as “steamboat Gothic.” It had multiple bridal chambers; stained glass skylights and windows; rare wood veneers and gilded finishes; seven gilded “Egyptian-style” chandeliers; a sterling silver Tiffany water cooler in the 250’-long main cabin; monogrammed flatware and china; and a full concert grand piano.
- The White spent most of its eight-year career in service on the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Vicksburg, Miss. Despite its economy of size, the White’s high initial $220,000 cost, a spotty economy, and the rapidly expanding railroad network made the steamboat unprofitable. It caught fire, blew up, and burned to the waterline at a Louisiana landing in December 1886, killing several aboard.
- Date made
- 1974
- built
- 1878
- used date
- late 19th century
- ID Number
- TR.334847
- catalog number
- 334847
- accession number
- 315419
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Edison ammeter
- Date made
- c1882
- ca 1882
- associated person
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- maker
- Bergmann & Co.
- ID Number
- EM.331146
- accession number
- 294351
- catalog number
- 331146
- collector/donor number
- 20-03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Patent Model of a Book-stitching Machine
- Description (Brief)
- This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for sewing books with two needles and an intermediate looper. The invention was granted patent number 250990.
- date made
- ca 1881
- patent date
- 1881-12-13
- maker
- Smyth, David McConnel
- ID Number
- GA.89797.250990
- patent number
- 250990
- accession number
- 089797
- catalog number
- GA*89797.250990
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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- Industrialization 28
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- Ecology 6
- On the Water exhibit 6
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- Fishing 3
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- Hair ornaments 4
- Switch; Components; Power and Lighting; Power and Lighting 4
- electrical switch 4
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- Ammeter 2
- Ammeter; Measuring Devices 2
- Harpoons 2
- Models 2
- Patents 2
- Boat, River; river boat model; Maritime 1
- Cable 1
- Cable; Cables and Wires; Power 1
- Fan; Motors and Generators 1
- Fans (costume accessories) 1
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- Fuseblock; Components; Power and Lighting; Power and Lighting 1
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- Industry & Manufacturing 28
- Energy & Power 18
- Work and Industry: Electricity 17
- Lighting a Revolution 13
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- On the Water 9
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- Cultures & Communities 5
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