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.
25
Page 1 of 2
-
Resistance coil for Edison dynamo
- Description (Brief)
- Resistance Coil, Edison Electric Light System. A cylindrical wooden mount partially wrapped with platinum wire mounted on a rectangular wooden base, two brass wire connectors on base. Used with first dynamo set up in factory, January 1881. "This was in use but a very short time and was afterwards replaced by an adjustable resistance box."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1881
- maker
- Edison Electric Co.
- ID Number
- EM.180941
- catalog number
- 180941
- accession number
- 24315
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
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
-
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
-
Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Pedal
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel pedal 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1886
- maker
- Thomson, Elihu
- ID Number
- EM.181681
- catalog number
- 181681
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Lewis Latimer Patent Drawing
- Description
- Electricity pioneer Lewis Latimer drew this component of an arc lamp, an early type of electric light, for the U.S. Electric Lighting Company in 1880.
- The son of escaped slaves and a Civil War veteran at age sixteen, Latimer trained himself as a draftsman. His technical and artistic skills earned him jobs with Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, among others. An inventor in his own right, Latimer received numerous patents and was a renowned industry expert on incandescent lighting.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1880-07-25
- maker
- Latimer, Lewis H.
- ID Number
- 1983.0458.21
- accession number
- 1983.0458
- catalog number
- 1983.0458.21
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Head Lug
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel head post 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1886
- maker
- Thomson, Elihu
- ID Number
- EM.181679
- catalog number
- 181679
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
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
-
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
-
Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Tapered Head Tube
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel tapered head tube 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 the Thomson-Houston Electric Company in 1883. In 1892 Thomson-Houston merged with the Edison Electric Company to form General Electric.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1886
- maker
- Thomson, Elihu
- ID Number
- EM.181673
- catalog number
- 181673
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Seat Post
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel seat post 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 the Thomson-Houston Electric Company in 1883. In 1892 Thomson-Houston merged with the Edison Electric Company to form General Electric.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1886
- maker
- Thomson, Elihu
- ID Number
- EM.181674
- catalog number
- 181674
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Head
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel head post 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1886
- maker
- Thomson, Elihu
- ID Number
- EM.181678
- catalog number
- 181678
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Edison underground power conductor
- Date made
- 1885
- maker
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- ID Number
- EM.314919
- catalog number
- 314919
- accession number
- 212336
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Crank Hanger
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel crank hanger 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.181676
- catalog number
- 181676
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Electrically Welded Specimen, Bicycle Crank Hanger
- Description
- This bicycle’s welded steel crank hanger 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.181677
- catalog number
- 181677
- accession number
- 33015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Pages
Filter Your Results
Click to remove a filter:
- topic
-
object type
- welding sample 9
- Hair ornaments 4
- Switch; Components; Power and Lighting; Power and Lighting 4
- electrical switch 4
- Ammeter 2
- Ammeter; Measuring Devices 2
- Cable 1
- Cable; Cables and Wires; Power 1
- Drawings 1
- Fan; Motors and Generators 1
- Fans (costume accessories) 1
- Filaments 1
- Fuseblock 1
- Fuseblock; Components; Power and Lighting; Power and Lighting 1
- Incandescent lamps (lighting device components) 1
- Inductance, Fixed; Resistance Coil; Components; Laboratory and Measurement; Laboratory and Measurement 1
- Junction box 1
- Light Bulb 1
- Light Bulb; Lighting Devices; Edison; Horseshoe; Carbon 1
- Resistance Coil 1
- place
- set name
