Transportation
Americans have always been a people on the move—on rails, roads, and waterways (for travel through the air, visit the National Air and Space Museum). In the transportation collections, railroad objects range from tools, tracks, and many train models to the massive 1401, a 280-ton locomotive built in 1926. Road vehicles include coaches, buggies, wagons, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and automobiles—from the days before the Model T to modern race cars. The accessories of travel are part of the collections, too, from streetlights, gas pumps, and traffic signals to goggles and overcoats.
In the maritime collections, more than 7,000 design plans and scores of ship models show the evolution of sailing ships and other vessels. Other items range from scrimshaw, photographs, and marine paintings to life jackets from the Titanic.
1,771
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medal
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1830
- ID Number
- NU.66.28817
- catalog number
- 66.28817
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Petrograd-Warsaw Railway Medal, Jeton
- Description
- This jeton or medalette commemorates the completion of the railroad connecting Saint Petersburg, Russia and Warsaw, Poland in 1862. During the 19th century, much of Poland was under Russian control and was ruled by the Romanovs.
- Obverse inscription: H I - A II / 1852 - 1862 С.НЕТЕРЕУРГО - КАРШАВСКАЯ ЖЕЛЂЗНАЯ ДОРОТА (H I represents Nicholas I, A II is Alexander II).
- Reverse inscription: СОТРУДНИКАМЪ ПО УСТРОЙСТВУ ДОРОГИ / Bacui : Ceperebur / ШАШИНУ / 102 (H I represents Nicholas I, A II is Alexander II, the Tsars of Poland in 1852 and 1862 respectively).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1862
- associated person
- Nicholas I Emperor of Russia
- Alexander II
- ID Number
- NU.66.28821
- catalog number
- 66.28821
- accession number
- 270424
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Bus Sign Near Cannon
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1951
- maker
- Erwitt, Elliott
- ID Number
- PG.007608
- accession number
- 252364
- catalog number
- 7608
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Group of men, women and children sitting on car hood
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- ca 1960s
- photographer
- Uzzle, Burk
- ID Number
- PG.72.12.022
- accession number
- 2003.0044
- catalog number
- 72.12.22
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Car Barn Capital Transit Company
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- after 1907
- ID Number
- PG.78.38.16
- catalog number
- 78.38.16
- accession number
- 2018.0225
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, 20th Century
- Description
- The obverse of this large sperm whale tooth has a freehand etching with an imaginary 10-gun warship, framed by a rope motif. A fluttering pennant below is inscribed "KING NEPTUNE". The top of the tooth is inscribed "WILLIAM•CULLIMORE•N•Y•1842", and the reverse is a rope-framed image of a seated and crowned King Neptune with a trident in his left hand.
- This tooth is probably a reference to the Neptune ceremony inflicted upon the crew and passengers of ships the first time they crossed the equator. King Neptune would emerge from a cabin or the sea and administer some form of mild hazing on the first timers, as a way of passing time and entertaining the veteran sailors aboard the ship.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1978.0052.16
- accession number
- 1978.0052
- catalog number
- 1978.52.16
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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tokens
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- ZZ.RSN83763F38
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Bruce Larson's Funny Car, 1988
- Description
- A funny car is a high-powered, computer-controlled dragster with a lightweight, molded body that somewhat resembles a production car. Bruce Larson and his crew designed and assembled this car in Dauphin, Pennsylvania. The body, which is made of carbon composite fiber, resembles an Oldsmobile Cutlass but weighs only 165 pounds. The chassis frame is made of chromoly (chromium molybdenum alloy) tubing. The aluminum engine burned a mix of nitro-methane fuel and alcohol and developed almost 4,000 horsepower. Larson won the National Hot Rod Association’s World Championship with this car in 1989. His top speed in the Finals was 278.55 miles per hour.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1988
- maker
- Oldsmobile Division of General Motors Corporation
- ID Number
- 1989.0755.01
- catalog number
- 1989.0755.01
- accession number
- 1989.0755
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Andy Granatelli's shirt
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2017.0091.08
- catalog number
- 2017.0091.08
- accession number
- 2017.0091
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Syracuse Bicycles Pin
- Description
- A metal token is attached to this stickpin that bears the image of a bicycle surrounded by the text “Syracuse Bicycles/Crimson Rims.” The reverse side of the token reads “Chas. J. Stebbins/Syracuse Bicycles/103 Reade St. New York.” This stickpin was used by the Syracuse Cycle Company and agent Charles J. Stebbins to advertise the Syracuse bicycle with the Crimson Rim. Syracuse became a hub of bicycle production in the 1890s, and the Syracuse Cycle Company was a popular producer of wheels and cycles during the time. Charles Stebbins acted as a resale agent in Brooklyn for the company, likely handing out this pin at one of the National Cycle Shows in 1896 or 1897.
- Bicycling boomed in popularity in the United States during the 1890s when the invention of the “safety” bicycle replaced the dangerous high-wheeler. The National Cycle Board of Trade held the largest annual exhibitions in New York and Chicago between 1893 and 1897. At these cycle shows manufacturers attempted to capitalize on the bicycle boom with exhibitions of their products to both the public and bicycle agents from other cities. At shows like these, manufacturers advertised their wares with pins and buttons made of tin and celluloid—cheap materials easily mass manufactured into trinkets and souvenirs. The Chicago Tribune’s account of the 1896 Chicago show speaks to the ubiquity of these kind of souvenirs. “Every visitor seems to have a desire to cherish its memory through some kind of a souvenir . . . anyone who does not look like a walking sign board is a rarity and every exhibiter goes after him and every available buttonhole has some kind of button in it, and stick pins are thrust at him from all sides.”
- ID Number
- 1990.0294.23
- catalog number
- 1990.0294.23
- accession number
- 1990.0294
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Rigged Model, Packet Ship Ohio
- Description
- The packet ship Ohio was built at Philadelphia, PA in 1825 and measured 105’-6” on deck and 352 tons. Its ownership changed several times, beginning with C. Price & Morgan’s Philadelphia–New Orleans route in 1825. In 1830, the Russell Line bought the vessel, running it from New York to New Orleans. Eight years later, Hand’s Line purchased the Ohio and resumed its original Philadelphia–New Orleans route. Its later career is unknown.
- Packet ships derive their name from their original cargo—packets of mail. Unlike independent merchant vessels, packet companies maintained set schedules and routes, making it easier for merchants and industries to know when supplies would arrive and depart. The packet lines also received government subsidies for transporting the mails.
- Cotton production in the United States coincided with the upswing in coastal packet lines. By the mid-1800s, the United States was the world’s largest cotton producer. Most raw cotton came from the South, sailing out of New Orleans. During cotton’s off-season, the Ohio probably carried goods like lead, molasses, tobacco, flaxseed, and furs.
- Date made
- 1961
- ID Number
- TR.319025
- catalog number
- 319025
- accession number
- 236167
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
National Motor Car & Vehicle Corporation Radiator Emblem
- Description
- The National Motor Car and Vehicle Corporation operated in various incarnations from 1900 until 1924 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company began business as the National Automobile & Electric Company in 1900, changed to the National Motor Vehicle Company in 1904, and finally operated as National Motor Car & Vehicle Corporation from 1916 until 1924. This radiator emblem dates to between 1916 and 1924. National produced a variety of models, including automobiles with six and twelve-cylinder engines. The metal emblem reads “National” in the center, with the raised lettering “NATIONAL MOTOR CAR & VEHICLE CORP./INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.” around the rim.
- Radiator emblems are small, colorful metal plates bearing an automobile manufacturer's name or logo that attached to the radiators grilles of early automobiles. Varying in shape and size, the emblems served as a small branding device, sometimes indicating the type of engine, place of manufacturing, or using an iconic image or catchy slogan to advertise their cars make and model. This emblem is part of the collection that was donated by Hubert G. Larson in 1964.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- TR.325528.174
- accession number
- 260303
- catalog number
- 325528.174
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Short Musket, East India Company
- Description
- This short musket was manufactured by Griffin and Tow in 1779 for the British East India Company. Started in 1600, the publicly-owned firm traded with the East Indies, China and India until the late 19th century. EIC merchant vessels were prime targets for American privateers, because of the large and valuable cargoes they transported worldwide.
- This musket is an 80-cal. Brown Bess flintlock, with a short 39-in. barrel instead of the standard 46- or 42-in. barrels. Bearing the East India Company emblem, it was a perfect short-range firearm for a fighting privateer. Guns fired at close quarters, like on the decks of an enemy vessel, did not require the accuracy provided by longer barrels. Short-barreled guns also were quicker and easier to point in hand-to-hand combat.
- Date made
- 1779
- associated date
- 1779
- associated institution
- East India Company
- maker
- Griffin & Tow
- ID Number
- 1980.0399.0822
- collector/donor number
- SA049
- catalog number
- 1980.0399.0822
- accession number
- 1980.0399
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
“W” Fare Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. The center of the token has been removed to leave the shape of a “W.”
- Obverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1411
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1411
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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medal
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1907
- ID Number
- NU.68.21.284
- catalog number
- 68.21.284
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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medal
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1845
- ID Number
- NU.68.263.1050
- catalog number
- 68.263.1050
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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medal
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- NU.69.127.0058
- catalog number
- 69.127.0058
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Sioux City Service Company Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. There is a hole in the center of the token.
- Obverse: The legend reads: SIOUX CITY SERVICE CO./ ONE FARE.
- Reverse: The legend reads: SIOUX CITY SERVICE CO./ ONE FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Sioux City Service Co.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1448
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1448
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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The Famous War Engine "General" of the Western & Atlantic R.R.
- Description (Brief)
- Colored print of a railroad engine and tender, exhibited behind a brass railing. The engine is labeled "General" and the tender is labeled W & A. R.R.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- n.d.
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- DL.60.2892
- catalog number
- 60.2892
- accession number
- 228146
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Burma-Shave Sign
- Description
- In the early years of motoring, the Burma-Vita Company found a novel way to advertise its brushless shaving cream. Burma-Shave advertising signs, with their humorous, serial jingles, were spaced far apart on the roadside and made sense only to someone traveling at 35 miles per hour. From the 1920s to the 1960s, motorists had fun piecing the rhymes together, one phrase at a time, and reaching the wry, witty punch line. They memorized favorite verses and looked forward to the entertainment value of the signs, especially during long trips. Burma-Shave signs were the equivalent of the prize in a Cracker Jack box or the saying in a fortune cookie. They became a classic American form of visual communication in a league with comic strips and greeting cards, and like those whimsical media, the signs became part of twentieth century popular culture. Burma-Shave signs became a national favorite because they humanized highway travel and gave motorists a new way to consume the roadside. They touched many facets of American life; farmers repaired them, radio comedians satirized them, and college students pilfered them. Verses supported the war effort during World War II and anti-inflation efforts after the war. At the height of the program, there were 7,000 sets of signs in 45 states. But by the 1950s, television advertising made rival products more popular than Burma-Shave, and televised ads were more cost-effective than sending a team of sign installers out on the road. Increased highway speeds and limited-access highways also contributed to the decline of the Burma-Shave phenomenon. The sign program ended in 1963.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- user
- Bryant, Fred K.
- ID Number
- 1986.0661.01
- accession number
- 1986.0661
- catalog number
- 1986.0661.01
- 86.0661.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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topic
- Road Transportation 378
- Radiator Emblems 278
- Manufacturing industries 253
- Industrialization 251
- Art 233
- Scovill Manufacturing Collection 177
- Photography 138
- On the Water exhibit 117
- Railroads 104
- Automobiles 90
- Ecology 84
- Scrimshaw 79
- Cigna Maritime Collection 68
- Architecture 64
- Amusements 62
- Engineering 59
- Communications 55
- Military 55
- Development of the Industrial United States 54
-
object type
- emblem, radiator 277
- Tokens 178
- Models (representations) 82
- Swrimshaws 74
- Paintings 72
- Ships 59
- Photographs 46
- model, locomotive 43
- tooth, whale 41
- Medals 40
- scrimshaw 29
- stereograph 29
- gelatin silver print 28
- pin, lapel 27
- Prints 24
- automobile 23
- car model 18
- Signs (declaratory or advertising artifacts) 17
- ship 17
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set name
- Transportation 1771
- Work and Industry: Transportation, Road 578
- Work and Industry: Maritime 449
- Road Transportation 379
- National Museum of American History 343
- America on the Move 305
- Radiator Emblems 278
- Industry & Manufacturing 250
- Art 233
- Work 183
- Scovill Manufacturing Collection 177
- Work and Industry: Production and Manufacturing 177
- On the Water 175
- Cultures & Communities 168
- Work and Industry: Photographic History 141
- Photography 138
- Work and Industry: Transportation, Railroad 122
- On the Water exhibit 117
- Natural Resources 84
- Scrimshaw 79
