Natural Resources
The natural resources collections offer centuries of evidence about how Americans have used the bounty of the American continent and coastal waters. Artifacts related to flood control, dam construction, and irrigation illustrate the nation's attempts to manage the natural world. Oil-drilling, iron-mining, and steel-making artifacts show the connection between natural resources and industrial strength.
Forestry is represented by saws, axes, a smokejumper's suit, and many other objects. Hooks, nets, and other gear from New England fisheries of the late 1800s are among the fishing artifacts, as well as more recent acquisitions from the Pacific Northwest and Chesapeake Bay. Whaling artifacts include harpoons, lances, scrimshaw etchings in whalebone, and several paintings of a whaler's work at sea. The modern environmental movement has contributed buttons and other protest artifacts on issues from scenic rivers to biodiversity.
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Page 9 of 22
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Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- Manufactured around 1930, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp consisted of a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord connected the battery to the lamp, which was worn on a mining cap. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamps for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift. This lamp is the R4 model.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7876
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7876
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- Manufactured around 1930, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp consisted of a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord traveled from the battery to the lamp, which was worn on a mining cap. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamps for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift. This is a Model "S" lamp.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7877
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7877
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Carbide Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This mining lamp is a “Guy’s Dropper” model made by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinois, first manufactured in 1913. The lamp is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a miner from Springfield. Frank Guy partnered with George and Edgar Shanklin to produce this lamp, and the lamp saw tremendous success through World War I. The Shanklin Mfg. Co. was sold to the Universal Lamp Company in 1932, who continued to make "Guy's Dropper."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7932
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7932
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Carbide Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois, around 1920. This brand was among the most popular and dependable mining lamps of the early 20th century. After acquiring Shanklin Mfg. Co. and its "Guy's Dropper" brand, the Universal Lamp Company produced two of the three largest lighting brands to survive past World War II.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7933
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7933
- accession number
- 240639
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Carbide Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This mining lamp is a “Guy’s Dropper” model made by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinois, first manufactured in 1913. The lamp is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a miner from Springfield. Frank Guy partnered with George and Edgar Shanklin to produce this lamp, and the lamp saw tremendous success through World War I. The Shanklin Mfg. Co. was sold to the Universal Lamp Company in 1932, who continued to make "Guy's Dropper."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7934
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7934
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Carbide Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois, around 1920. This brand was among the most popular and dependable mining lamps of the early 20th century. After acquiring Shanklin Mfg. Co. and its "Guy's Dropper" brand, the Universal Lamp Company produced two of the three largest lighting brands to survive past World War II.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7935
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7935
- accession number
- 240639
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Cap lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the latter half of the 19th century. This is a metal cap lamp with an oval shield between the lamp and the spout. The oval shield could have been a reflector for the flame, as well as protection for the hat. Interestingly, the reflector is an addition usually not seen until carbide lamps in the early 20th century.
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7936
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7936
- accession number
- 240639
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Carbide Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This carbide mining lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but would have been made in the early 20th century. Acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism. The amount of water flowing into the calcium carbide container can be controlled, with more water producing more gas and a bigger flame when the lamp is lit.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7937
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7937
- accession number
- 240639
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Carbide Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This early 20th century carbide mining lamp has an unknown manufacturer. Carbide lamps produced a much brighter and cleaner flame than previous lamps. Acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism. The amount of water flowing into the calcium carbide container can be controlled, with more water producing more gas and a bigger flame when the lamp is lit.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7938
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7938
- accession number
- 240639
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
"Hanging Betty" Miner's Tunnel Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This miner’s tunnel lamp was known as a hanging Betty. The hanging Betty was used in the early 19th century, and was an improvement on the hanging open lamp. A wick holder was added to channel the wick drippings back into the bowl, and an oil cover was added to confine heat, decrease smoke, and make the oil burn more efficiently. German immigrants living in Pennsylvania called this kind of lamp “besser” meaning better, which produced the nickname Betty.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7939
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7939
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This Edison Electric Hand Lamp is similar to the design of the cap lamp without the cord. The hand lamp consists of a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case with a handle so the lamp can carried or hung. This lamp was most likely manufactured in the 1920's.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7942
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7942
- accession number
- 240639
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- Manufactured around 1930, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp consisted of a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case that was worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord traveled to the lamp, which was worn on the miner's cap. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift. This lamp is the R4 model, with a cutaway showing the battery inside the case.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7943
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7943
- accession number
- 240639
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp consisted of a battery encased in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord traveled to the cap lamp, and was protected by a flexible steel cover at its entrance into both the battery and lamp. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift. This lamp is a Model "P."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7945
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7945
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel cover at both ends, connected the battery to the cap lamp. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7946
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7946
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel cover at both ends, connected the battery to the cap lamp. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7947
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7947
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel cover at both ends, connected the battery to the cap lamp. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7948
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7948
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Electric Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel cover at both ends, connected the battery to the cap lamp. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7949
- accession number
- 240639
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7949
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Mining Tunnel Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This lamp is an oil-wick cap lamp. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and remained in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting light was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be attached onto any suitable location inside the mine.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7989A
- accession number
- 234932
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7989A
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Mining Tunnel Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This oil-wick mining lamp was manufactured by P. Wall, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania around 1880. This lamp is a hanging lamp, and would burn a mix of fat and oil for fuel, with a wick inserted into the spout. The resulting light was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-7989B
- accession number
- 234932
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-7989B
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Miner's Cap Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This lamp is an oil-wick cap lamp. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and remained in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting light was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be worn on a cap, or hooked onto any other suitable location.
- ID Number
- AG.MHI-MN-8012
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-8012
- accession number
- 233426
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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