Digitization Team Favorites

In October 2018, The Henry Ford reached 75,000 artifacts digitized. While this represents just a small fraction of our total collection, the vast majority of the material that has been digitized is not currently on exhibit--which gives you access to materials that might otherwise be hard or impossible to view. In honor of this milestone, members of the digitization team each selected a favorite artifact they have been involved with digitizing.

Portrait Rug of Henry Ford, 1935 - 2

I first saw this artifact many years ago and the peculiar notion of honoring someone by hooking a rug in their likeness just stuck with me. Later, this became the inspiration for a series of expert sets based upon the many gifts, awards, and tokens of appreciation Henry Ford received over the course of his life. --Patrice Fisher, Assistant Registrar

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Brochure, "Top Security for Ford Records," Precision Microfilm Corporation, 1951

Our collection includes approximately one million Ford Motor Company engineering drawings (1903-1957) on 70 mm microfilm. This brochure tells the explosive origin story of the microfilm. --Jim Orr, Image Services Specialist

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Aaron Greeley's Deposition following Ship Capture at Brownstown, Michigan, July 29, 1812

Cataloging this deposition was fascinating, especially being able to transcribe the document. Knowing that it now can reach an even larger audience is gratifying, as it tells a story about a relatively unknown event in Michigan during the War of 1812. --Laura Lipp, Collections Specialist

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"Monkey Bar" Diorama, Made by Prisoner Patrick J. Culhane and Presented to Henry Ford, 1914-1915 - 1

This is one of my favorite artifacts in any case, but also a great argument for digitization. Even if you are able to see it (in storage) in person, everything is so tiny that you’re likely to miss some of the things you can see in the great, detailed photographs. --Ellice Engdahl, Digital Collections & Content Manager

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Lincoln Portrayer Charles Roscoe Miles Visiting the Piccard Stratosphere Flight Balloon at Ford Airport, October 1934

Cataloging this photo was interesting, involving research to solve the mystery of who the Lincoln look-alike was, why he was photographed inside the Piccard Stratosphere balloon gondola, and also where and when this took place. --Carol Wright, Assistant Registrar--Information

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Ladies' Writing Desk, 1890-1925

Photographing this desk was a fun challenge. There's a lot of decoration, and many different compartments we needed to capture. But I find this desk particularly beautiful and intriguing. I would love to learn more about its user and its life before it came to us. --Jillian Ferraiuolo, Digital Imaging Specialist

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"Bobby Kennedy Next President of the United States," 1965

The cover of this publication offers an intriguing scenario: what would the United States of America be like today if this supposed “Top Secret” plan happened? --Robin Derminer, Digital Imaging Archivist, Digital and Emerging Media

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